Why is it crucial to commence rescue breathing on an unresponsive drowning person quickly?

Commencing rescue breathing on an unresponsive drowning person quickly is essential primarily because it significantly enhances the chance of survival without brain or organ damage. When someone drowns, their airway can become obstructed by water, depriving the body, especially the brain, of vital oxygen. This lack of oxygen can lead to hypoxia, which can cause irreversible damage to brain cells within just a few minutes. By initiating rescue breathing promptly, oxygen is delivered directly to the lungs, which helps restore the oxygen levels in the bloodstream, preventing or minimizing the potential for long-term neurological injury or failure of other organs.

Addressing the other options, while reducing water inhalation is a consideration in the rescue process, it is secondary to the immediate restoration of oxygen. Preventing hypothermia is critical in drowning situations but is not the primary reason for urgent rescue breathing. Similarly, avoiding panic in others, although important in maintaining a calm environment during a rescue, does not have a direct impact on the person's chances of survival or the prevention of brain damage. The urgency of providing oxygen takes precedence in such emergency situations.