He/she is drowning!
an-ne-GAN-do — four syllables, double 'n'. 'Annegare' = to drown. Present progressive with 'sta'.
Shout this immediately if someone is drowning. Also alert lifeguards, nearby boats, or any bystander. Then call 118.
'Sta annegando' = is drowning (present progressive). 'Annegare' means to drown. In water emergencies: reach, throw, do not go — unless you are a trained lifeguard. Throw a 'salvagente' (life ring) or 'cima' (rope). If the person is already out of water, start CPR if not breathing. Cold water drowning can allow resuscitation even after extended submersion.
Qualcuno è caduto in acqua!
Someone fell in the water!
General water emergency — may not yet be drowning but needs immediate response
È stato salvato ma non respira.
He was saved but is not breathing.
Rescued drowning victim needing CPR — start immediately
È in mare. Non riesce a tornare a riva.
He is in the sea. He cannot get back to shore.
Sea emergency — also alert the coastguard ('guardia costiera') at 1530
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in Italian children under 14, after road accidents. The Italian coastguard number is 1530 for sea emergencies — separate from 118. Beach lifeguards ('bagnini') in Italy are trained in water rescue and CPR. The 'Società Nazionale di Salvamento' trains Italian lifeguards. Some Italian municipalities have required AEDs on beaches since 2021.