A TEENAGER remains in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital after having being resuscitated after a drowning incident at Bright on Boxing Day.

Authorities said the 17-year-old male was swimming in the Ovens River at Centenary Park in Bright on the afternoon of Thursday, December 26, when nearby swimmers found the teen submerged and unconscious in the river.

The youth was carried ashore and attended to by off-duty medical professionals who performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.

Bright SES unit controller, Graham Gales, said emergency service officers had to use the defibrillator on the drowning victim for a long time.

The patient was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he was reported to remain in a critical condition.

Acting Senior Sergeant Luke Vogels of Bright police said the near fatal drowning incident was a sobering reminder for people to be swim-safe.

"Water safety is an ongoing concern for us," he said.

"We want both holiday-makers and locals to have fun in the water, but above all to stay safe and know where your loved ones are at all times."

Mr Gales said the incident reminds us all to be careful when spending time in rivers.

"Keep up to date with water safety practices: know the depth of water you're going into, check the water current, keep an eye out for all members of your group, particularly the elderly and young kids and so on," he said.