Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
slate.com
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.

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Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed.

  • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
    7·
    12 hours ago

    Also, use a stick or a rope to get them out of the water. They might drown you if you jump in. If you tie a rope into a loop so they can grab on, make sure it’s a static knot or you’re throwing them a noose. If you have to jump in, once you grab them, you have to swim side ways with your feet deep in the water and them on your side facing out of the water. This is more for lakes/ pools. Learned most of that in the Boyscouts back in the day.

    • Novi Sad@feddit.orgOP
      2·
      12 hours ago

      Extremely important, thanks.

      What about the recommendation that, if one does approach them directly, one should do so with a leg rather than an arm?

      • spudsrus@aussie.zone
        1·
        58 minutes ago

        I don’t know if it’s still valid but when I did bronze med yes, there was an approach position with one raised leg to kick or splash if needed that was taught.

        Drowning people will often try to climb on you and shove you under to breath. If splashing and keeping distance with a foot fails you hold your breath and dive. They will let go and try to get back to air.

        The general chain of preferences was: reach>throw>wade>row>swim>tow

        Reach with a stick or something if you can avoid getting in.

        Throw a flotation aid or rope

        Wade out and throw a flotation aid or rope

        Use a boat or board etc if available

        Swim out with a flotation aid

        Swim out and tow them in while swimming.