How do you save a person when he is drowning?

The nature of drowning is that you're burning more oxygen than you're able to replace. So breaking that cycle is your primary goal. This is accomplished by achieving two goals: reducing your oxygen need and acquiring more oxygen.

So -- first goal is to try and get your head up and get a large "swallow" or "bite" of air. Obviously, you want to avoid choking when you do, so be careful.

Once you have your lungs full of air, you aren't likely to sink unless you're wearing something heavier than water. If you are, your next step is to ditch anything heavier than water. Shoes are a good start, but if you're diving with a weight belt, that should go too.

As you're doing this, get another bite of air.

Once you're buoyant and are floating on the surface, you still aren't likely to be able to hold your head entirely out of the water. So, remain floating face down and concentrate on relaxing any muscles you aren't using at the moment. People tense up in panic situations and flexed muscles burn oxygen far faster than relaxed muscles. Soon, though, you'll need more air... so try this...

Ease one leg slowly in front of the other so your legs are in a "V" shape, from front to back. At the same turn, slowly ease your hands together, up to the surface of the water.

Once you're in this position, you're going to do a few things all in a continuous sequence:

• You'll scissor your legs together, thrusting you forward and up, and at the same time you'll press DOWN with your hands together, thrusting your face up.
• Exhale either before or as your face is rising to the surface.
• When your face breaks the surface, catch a breath and hold it.
• Relax, and go face down in the water.
• Repeat as necessary.

Once you've gotten this to work and are getting enough air, start trying to find land, and point yourself to it. Without flotation and if you're not a good swimmer or are fatigued, yelling for help burns a LOT of oxygen and energy, and probably should be avoided unless you're SURE it will help.

See the link below for more details.