The invention discloses a water surface rapid rescue device based on air bags and a water surface rescue method. In some coastal occasions, life jackets are often needed for patrolling the sea surface, and thus drowning events are prevented. The water surface rapid rescue device based on the air bags comprises a buoy, a rapid propulsion device, a direction-adjusting propulsion device, a directional turnover device and a life-saving pushout device. The rapid propulsion device comprises the expansion air bag, a discharge electrode and a conveying air path. The conveying air path comprises an oxygen storage tank, a methane storage tank, a first flow meter, a second flow meter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a reversing valve, a first on-off valve, a third one-way valve and anair pump. The life-saving pushout device comprises the life-saving air bag, a gas storage tank and a second on-off valve. Through mutual cooperation of the rapid propulsion device, the direction-adjusting propulsion device and the directional turnover device, the water surface rapid rescue device can rapidly get close to drowning people and conducts rescuing, and can be used in some coastal occasions, so that the working load of life savers is decreased.