How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
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How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
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Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#2The absence of screaming and waving seems obvious after reading it, I realize I am really am conditioned to think if people aren't screaming...etc they aren't in trouble.
That said there is definitely some lifeguard propaganda in the article (who knew such a thing existed?):
"From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.”
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#3This get re-published every summer for good reason. Drowning happens frequently and it's theoretically preventable if people knew what to look for.
Also, be careful if you have to save a drowning person. The drowning response will cause them to instinctively push you under in an effort to get above water, so make sure you have your own floatation device so they don't end up drowning you.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#4The absence of screaming and waving seems obvious after reading it, I realize I am really am conditioned to think if people aren't screaming...etc they aren't in trouble. That said there is definitely some lifeguard propaganda in the article (who knew such a thing existed?): "From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick.…
A drowning person will endanger his rescuer by instinctively climbing onto the highest point available (the rescuer's head).
If you see someone drowning, alert a lifeguard if possible. Depending on the situation, the proper action might require the rescuer to counter intuitively drag the person under water. On the other hand, if no life guard is present, don't just let someone drown, but saving them is a risk.
source: I was a "victim" for lifeguard training.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#5The absence of screaming and waving seems obvious after reading it, I realize I am really am conditioned to think if people aren't screaming...etc they aren't in trouble. That said there is definitely some lifeguard propaganda in the article (who knew such a thing existed?): "From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick.…
A drowning person will endanger his rescuer by instinctively climbing onto the highest point available (the rescuer's head). If you see someone drowning, alert a lifeguard if possible. Depending on the situation, the proper action might require the rescuer to counter intuitively drag the person under water. On the other hand, if no life guard is present, don't just let someone drown, but saving them is a risk. source…
Just curious...let's say that you see someone drowning, you aren't a trained lifeguard, and there aren't any lifeguards around. Could an untrained person rescue that person safely? Any tips?
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#6Beware: it is very dangerous to attempt to rescue a full-grown person who is drowning. A person who is drowning has temporarily lost their mind and will happily drown their would-be rescuer in an attempt to stay above the water. Approach a drowning person from behind and hold them above the water by their armpits.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
A drowning person will endanger his rescuer by instinctively climbing onto the highest point available (the rescuer's head). If you see someone drowning, alert a lifeguard if possible. Depending on the situation, the proper action might require the rescuer to counter intuitively drag the person under water. On the other hand, if no life guard is present, don't just let someone drown, but saving them is a risk. source…
Just curious...let's say that you see someone drowning, you aren't a trained lifeguard, and there aren't any lifeguards around. Could an untrained person rescue that person safely? Any tips?
First, the primary job for any rescuer is to not become another victim.
Be prepared for a violent altercation with the victim. The person is dying and not thinking normally. Don't be afraid to hurt the person to protect yourself.
If the situation is too much, back off and wait for the victim to lose consciousness. Pulling a drowning person from the water takes more than just strong swimming.
And again, I was only the dummy for real life guards so I basically got to act the worst possible situation. I'm sure some rescues look just like Baywatch portrays.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#8Beware: it is very dangerous to attempt to rescue a full-grown person who is drowning. A person who is drowning has temporarily lost their mind and will happily drown their would-be rescuer in an attempt to stay above the water. Approach a drowning person from behind and hold them above the water by their armpits.
Better yet, get a stick or rope and pull them to safety. They will grab onto whatever is within their grasp.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#9Beware: it is very dangerous to attempt to rescue a full-grown person who is drowning. A person who is drowning has temporarily lost their mind and will happily drown their would-be rescuer in an attempt to stay above the water. Approach a drowning person from behind and hold them above the water by their armpits.
Better yet, get a stick or rope and pull them to safety. They will grab onto whatever is within their grasp.
did you mean to contradict the article or did you not even read it?
Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
Re: How to know when someone is in trouble in the water
#10This device on IndieGogo seems really promising:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-seal-wearable-swim-mon...
It is just too easy not to notice a drowning person, especially a child, even if they are right in front of you.