Final answer:
Quickly and safely remove the victim from the water, ensuring your own safety first, and then perform CPR if necessary, as CPR is ineffective in the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the victim is lying in water, the first course of action is to ensure your own safety before attempting a rescue. Once it is safe to do so, remove the person from the water as quickly and safely as possible. Drowning victims may not be able to shout or wave for help due to a muscular spasm that seals the airway and appears calm. After safely getting the person out of the water, check for breathing and pulse and begin CPR if necessary. It is a common myth that immediate CPR should be administered in the water, but the reality is that CPR is ineffective in the water and the person must be on stable ground.
If the victim is lying in water, the first priority is to remove them from the water to ensure their safety. CPR should be administered only after the person is on stable ground. CPR is ineffective in the water, so it is important to bring the person to a safe place as quickly as possible. It is a myth that it is too late to save a person who is unconscious in the water. There is still a chance of recovery, especially if CPR is started within minutes. The longer the brain goes without oxygen, the more likely brain cells will die, so prompt action is crucial.