How to Rescue a Drowning Person

Drowning people pose a risk not only to themselves but also to potential rescuers. Take these steps to ensure safety for both of you.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• First Aid Kits
• Ropes

1. Determine which of the following methods to use, depending on circumstances.

2. Get a long stick or pole and reach it toward the drowning person. Tell him to grab it and pull him to safety.

3. Throw the drowning person an object attached to a rope and pull him to safety.

4. Row out to the drowning person and use one of the above two methods.

5. Get in the water yourself and swim to the drowning person only as a last resort and only if you're trained as a lifeguard. Realize that you're risking your life in doing this.

6. Talk to the person as you approach and tell him you'll be taking him back to shore. Even if he's panicking, your voice might help to calm him down.

7. Try to approach the person from behind and hook your arm over his chest as you sidestroke back to shore. If possible, tell the person to relax and float on his back.

8. Treat the drowning victim once he's safely in a boat or on shore (see "How to Treat a Person Who Is Near Drowning").

Tips & Warnings

• When pulling a drowning person to safety from land or from a boat, make sure you're firmly anchored and won't be pulled into the water.
• One way to remember your rescue options is the following mnemonic: "Reach, throw, row and go."
• Drowning people are often full of panic and can drag rescuers down with them. Do everything in your power to avoid this danger.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 12/8/2005 If the person drowning starts to take you under, swim toward the bottom and the person being rescued will let go of you and try to get back to the top of the water.

on 12/8/2005 The phrase is Reach, Throw, Row, Go with equipment!

on 12/8/2005 If you swim out to a downing person and they grab you and they're pulling you down with them, take a deep breath and start sinking yourself. The drowning person will let go and try to swim back to the surface, freeing you.

on 12/8/2005 You want to avoid touching the person if at all possible. Even if you have to resort to entering the water to retrieve the victim, bring a buoyant reaching aid to reach out to them. Approach slowly and with a foot out-stretched to fend off a potentially dangerous victim (remember, drowning people resort to instincts).

Unless you are alone, always call for help first, in case you end-up needing assistance as well. And remember, your life is always the priority.

on 12/15/2005 If a drowning person is choking you and dragging you down: swim to the bottom. That's the only place the drowning person won't follow. Once underwater, swim away and try again.