How to Save Someone From Drowning

how to save someone from drowning

Kids under four years old, young adults ages eighteen to twenty-four, and adults ages seventy and older are at most risk for drowning especially in inland swimming venues. It’s possible to intervene and save a life if you do it ridiculously quickly.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely already wondering how to save someone from drowning. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll discuss how to best help someone who’s drowning without putting yourself at risk. Let’s get started!

Assess the Situation and Call for Help

The first step is to assess the situation and determine if you can help. If the person is actively drowning and in distress, you need to act quickly. Call for help immediately by yelling for a lifeguard or dialing emergency services. If you’re alone with the person, start performing the rescue yourself. 

If you’re not confident in your ability to perform a rescue or provide first aid, get certified in CPR through https://cprcertificationnow.com/products/cpr-aed-first-aid-certification-online. This can help you be prepared for these kinds of situations of saving lives.

Reach or Throw, Don’t Go

Never jump into the water to try to rescue someone. You could become a victim yourself, and then there will be two people in need of rescue. Instead, try to reach the person from the shore, dock, or boat with an object like a pool noodle, a rope, or a stick. If that’s not possible, throw a floatation device like a lifebuoy or a lifejacket.

Approach the Person Safely

If the person is close enough to reach, approach them safely. Be mindful that a panicked person might cling to you and try to push you underwater, so approach them from behind, keep your distance, and stay calm.

Perform a Rescue

Once you’re close enough, grab the person and start swimming back to safety. If you’re not a strong swimmer, try to stay afloat by holding onto a flotation device and waiting for help to arrive. Once you’ve reached safety, assess the person’s condition.

Provide First Aid

Once the person is on dry land, perform basic first aid if needed. Check for signs of breathing and pulse and perform CPR if necessary. If the person is not breathing, start CPR immediately. If you don’t have CPR certification, follow the instructions given by the emergency dispatcher.

Follow Up

After a rescue, it’s essential to follow up with the person to ensure they are okay. Drowning can cause secondary injuries, like lung infections or hypothermia. If the person was unconscious during the rescue, they need medical attention to rule out injuries or complications.

Know How to Save Someone From Drowning and Start Saving Lives

Drowning is a potentially fatal situation that can happen anywhere with water. And now that you’ve learned the vital steps on how to save someone from drowning, you can now be more prepared in an aquatic emergency.

Remember to practice safe swimming and be aware of rip currents and consider taking a safety course to further prepare yourself. Together, we can reduce the amount of death due to drowning—be a hero and save a life today!

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