What to Do If Your Child Falls in Water

Posted On: 06/01/2026

Texas summers usually mean time spent in the water — rivers, lakes, swimming pools, or a trip to the beach. But being in the water comes with risks – including drowning.

It can happen to anyone. A parent turns away for a second. Your child is right there, and then they're not. Knowing what to do before something happens could save a child's life.

Drowning Doesn't Look Like You Think

Most people picture drowning as loud and dramatic. In real life, it's the opposite. A child in trouble goes quiet. They can't wave, yell, or call for help.

Your attention is your child’s best protection, especially if they aren’t a strong swimmer. Adults can drown in just 30 seconds, but for children it’s even faster. That’s less time than it takes to answer a text or read a paragraph in a book.

Supervision matters any time your child is near water. If a toddler or young child is in or near the water, stay within arm's reach. Don't hand that job off to an older sibling or a quick glance from across the yard. (In the case of toddlers and babies, "near the water" includes a bathtub or even a bucket of water.)

What You Can Do in a Crisis

If your child goes under, your first instinct may be to jump in. Unless you are trained in water rescue, that can put both you and your child at risk. Untrained adults who enter the water to help can become victims, too. Saving a drowning person is harder than most people expect it to be, even when it’s a small child.

Instead, follow this rule:

Reach: Extend your arm, a towel, a shirt, a stick – anything you can grab and pull with.
Throw: Toss something that floats, like a cooler lid, a ball, or a life jacket.
Don't Go In: Stay away from the water so you can keep helping, without putting yourself in danger.

Call 9-1-1 the moment you notice something’s wrong. You can always put your phone on speaker and keep acting.

When the operator answers, give your location first. If you're at a park or body of water, name it. Then give your child's age and what happened. Stay on the line. The operator will talk you through what to do next, including CPR steps if needed.

Prepare for a Water Emergency Before One Happens

Free and Low-Cost Swim Lessons

Swim lessons are the single best step you can take. Research shows they can lower drowning risk in young children by up to 88%. Many local YMCAs offer financial help with the cost, or even free lessons. Some community pools may even have free or low-cost lessons in the summer.

Learn CPR Before You Need It

CPR is a way to keep blood and oxygen moving in someone who isn't breathing. It can keep them alive until help arrives. You don't need a medical background to learn it. Many Texas fire stations offer free CPR classes. The American Red Cross also has low-cost options in many cities, including North Texas.

If your child has a water emergency, call 9-1-1 right away. As a Parkland Community Health Plan member, your plan covers emergency room care and emergency ambulance services. You do not need prior authorization.

Not sure if it's an emergency? Call the Parkland 24-Hour Nurse Line. Registered nurses are available any time, day or night.