The invention discloses a method for searching and salvaging a drowning unmanned aerial vehicle. The method is implemented by the aid of a recovery parachute. The recovery parachute is arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle and is connected with the unmanned aerial vehicle by hang straps, a pulling rope is arranged on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a buoy is arranged at the end, which is far away from the unmanned aerial vehicle, of the pulling rope. The method has the advantages that the safety of salvaging personnel and the safety of the unmanned aerial vehicle can be guaranteed; the method is simple and convenient, and requirements on operation skills of the personnel can be lowered; integral operation procedures are extremely short in elapsed time, particularly, merits of the method can be embodied under severe sea conditions with strong wind and swift waves, and important effects can be realized by the method for safely and reliably salvaging the unmanned aerial vehicle.