General Awareness
No one is ever completely safe in the water, so having people out of the water who can recognize and save those who are at risk is vital to water safety. Below, you can find tips both on how to watch for and recognize a drowning individual and on what to do in those situations. Remember, drowning often doesn’t look like you might think!
Awareness/Recognition
Whenever you are around the water, as a lifeguard/instructor or simply as a bystander, it is important to keep one eye on those in the water. While it may not be your “job” as a bystander, lifeguards can be easily overworked, and your actions could help prevent someone from drowning. Here’s what to look for:
- A technique that lifeguards or instructors often use is to count the number of heads/individuals in a pool or other body of water. A similar method for you is to keep an eye on the people in your own group, and make sure they are all visible.
- Most people assume drowning is a very violent, apparent event with the victim thrashing their arms and screaming for help. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Victims are often too busy gasping for breath to scream, and use their arms to push themselves out of the water.
- a bobbing above and below the surface
- unfocused/closed eyes
- the appearance of climbing an invisible ladder
- no use of the legs
- trying to swim in a direction and not moving
Prevention and Action
If you do see someone exhibiting one or more of these signs, this is what you should do:
- If there is a lifeguard, they are a second line of defense. DO NOT rely on a lifeguard to save your child or friend. Remember to always be watchful.
- If you yourself are not a competent swimmer, DO NOT attempt to save the victim, even if they are your child or best friend. By trying to help, you can actually make it harder for the victim to stay afloat longer, or drown yourself. If there is no one else is around to help, try to throw flotation devices to the individual, or if the situation is desperate, swim one out to them while holding onto one yourself.
- If you are a good swimmer, and see a person drowning, swim to the victim and get them on dry ground as fast as you can. Irreversible brain damage can occur within just one minute.
- Once the victim is on dry land, check to see if they are breathing. If they are not, begin CPR immediately, and continue to do it, even if it does not appear to have an effect.
- DO NOT stop CPR to go or call for help. If there is another person with you, tell them to call 911 or go get help.