The correct answer is D) begin mouth-to-mouth ventilations. When performing CPR on a drowning victim, the first step is to get the victim out of the water and onto a stable surface. Once the victim is out of the water, you should begin mouth-to-mouth ventilations immediately, without attempting to drain water from the lungs. Tilting the head back may cause vomiting, but this step is necessary to open the airway and allow for effective ventilations. Chest compressions should only be started after the first set of ventilations, not before. This sequence of rescue breaths followed by chest compressions is the recommended protocol for CPR on a drowning victim.