Lifesaving Action: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Save an Active Drowning Victim

Drowning is a silent and swift tragedy, claiming lives every year. Knowing how to respond effectively to a drowning situation can be the difference between life and death. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on how to save an active drowning victim, emphasizing safety for both the rescuer and the person in distress. Remember, immediate action, coupled with knowledge of proper techniques, is crucial in these critical moments.

Understanding the Drowning Process

Before we delve into rescue procedures, it’s important to understand the stages of drowning. It’s not like the movies; it’s often a quiet and subtle struggle. Here are the key stages to be aware of:

• Initial Surprise (or Immersion Phase): This occurs when someone unexpectedly enters the water. They may gasp, try to grab for something, or hold their breath. Their instinctive response is often to try and keep their head above water. This phase is characterized by a struggle to stay afloat and could be very short.
• Respiratory Arrest: If the initial struggle fails, the victim starts to inhale water. The immediate reaction is often coughing, gagging, and a panic to breath. Their airway may spasm and close. The person may struggle to get breath. This can lead to them going under water. This stage can be rapid and subtle to observers.
• Unconsciousness: As the person continues to struggle for air and inhale water, they will lose consciousness. Lack of oxygen to the brain occurs very rapidly and can cause rapid loss of function.
• Cardiac Arrest: In the final stage, the lack of oxygen leads to cardiac arrest. Without intervention, the heart stops and the victim suffers permanent damage and death.

The signs of an active drowning victim can include:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level: They are struggling to keep their mouth out of the water to get a breath.
• Tilted head backward: This may be a sign they are trying to keep their airway out of the water.
• Glassy eyes, inability to focus: This is a sign of distress, and could mean they are panicked and losing capacity.
• Hyperventilating or gasping: Trying to catch their breath and get air.
• Vertical position, not kicking: They are struggling to stay above the surface and are not moving forward.
• Trying to swim in place, without forward movement: This could indicate exhaustion and ineffective motion.
• Arms extended laterally, pressing down: This is often an attempt to push themselves upward to get air.

It is crucial to differentiate between someone playing in the water and someone actively drowning. Drowning victims often do not call out for help due to the physical struggle to breathe. This is why vigilance and rapid response is so important.

Prioritizing Safety: Before You Enter the Water

Your safety is paramount. A failed rescue attempt could result in two victims, not one. Before entering the water, follow these crucial safety steps:

1. Assess the Situation: Quickly evaluate the situation. Is the victim close to the shore? Are there any potential hazards in the water (e.g., currents, debris, sharp objects, deep water)? How many people need help? Are there other resources available?
2. Call for Help: Immediately call emergency services (e.g., 911 or your local equivalent) or have someone else do it. Provide as much information as possible, including the location, the number of victims, and the conditions.
3. Use the Reach, Throw, Row, Go Method: Before physically entering the water, try these alternative methods first. These methods reduce the risk to the rescuer and may be enough to help the victim.
   • Reach: If the victim is close enough, reach for them with an object like a pole, branch, or towel. Hold firmly on to a stable surface to avoid being pulled in yourself.
   • Throw: Throw a flotation device to the victim, such as a life ring, inflatable float, or even a cooler or other object that will float. Be sure to throw close enough that the victim can grab on to it.
   • Row: If there is a boat available, use it to reach the victim. Always approach the victim with extreme caution to avoid capsizing or getting in too close for them to grab your boat and flip it.
4. Evaluate your capabilities: Be honest about your swimming abilities. Can you confidently handle the conditions and reach the victim safely? If not, wait for professional help and try to provide the reach, throw, and row method as much as possible. Do not attempt a water rescue if you are not trained and capable.

Performing a Water Rescue: Step-by-Step Guide

If you determine that entering the water is necessary, proceed with extreme caution. Here’s a detailed guide on how to approach and rescue an active drowning victim:

1. Approach Cautiously: Swim towards the victim using a strong and efficient stroke, such as breaststroke or sidestroke. Avoid swimming directly towards the person’s front. An active drowning person may be panicking and grab onto you, which could endanger both of you. Swim behind or slightly to the side to avoid that.
2. Assess the Victim’s Condition: As you approach, observe the victim’s behavior. Are they still struggling to stay afloat? Are they responsive? If they are unconscious, proceed with caution.
3. Secure a Safe Approach: Speak to the victim while approaching to try to calm them down. This is also an indication of responsiveness. Do not get too close too quickly. Observe their reaction. If possible try to approach from behind, or a safe side angle to avoid being grabbed in panic.
4. Make Contact: If the person is conscious, try to make gentle contact first. Ask if they are okay, and what you can do to help. Be prepared for them to act irrationally. Try to keep them talking. If the victim is actively struggling and may grab you, try a back approach, or use a rescue aid (life ring, float, rope, etc).
5. Secure the Victim: Reach across the victims chest to reach under the opposite arm. Grabbing from behind can be effective and help to control them if they panic. If using an aid, make sure it is positioned correctly and secure for them to hold on to. If they can hold on to your body or the aid, begin moving towards the shore.
6. Maintain Control: Keep the victim’s head above water. If they are conscious, keep them calm by speaking to them. Use firm and confident instructions on what you need them to do. Keep them from pulling you under. If they are unconscious, position their head up and use your strokes to move them forward.
7. Towing the Victim: Using a side-stroke or breaststroke, carefully tow the victim back to shore. Keep an eye on them to be sure they are still breathing and maintain a stable position. The arm position you use for securing the victim will be good for this. Try to stay close to them so they do not drift or become unsecure.
8. Exit the Water Safely: If possible, exit the water where there is a clear path. Be mindful of hazards as you leave. If you are tired or the conditions make it hard to get out, try to stay in a safer position until help arrives.
9. Assess the Victim on Shore: Once on land, immediately check the victim’s breathing and pulse. If they are not breathing or do not have a pulse, start CPR immediately. Call for assistance and explain the situation to those who arrive.
10. Administer First Aid: Even if the victim appears okay, they may have ingested water. It is important to have them evaluated by professional medical personnel. Keep them calm and wait for professional help to arrive.

Specific Rescue Techniques

Here are some more specific rescue techniques that are useful to know.

The Rear Approach (If Possible)

The most challenging part of a rescue is when a panicking victim might grab onto you. Approaching from the rear gives you the best control to secure them and prevent them from pulling you down. Remember, an active drowning person may not be thinking clearly. If they grab on to you they could push you under and both of you would be in distress. This is a method that can be used if they are conscious or unconscious.

• Slow and Controlled Approach: As described before, come up from behind with a cautious and controlled swim. You need to be able to assess their condition.
• Secure the Hold: Reach around under their arms. Your arms can then grab on to their chest and back to keep them in a safe position. Make sure they are secure and have some hold of you.
• Stabilize and Tow: Keep them stabilized in this position and begin your tow to shore. Be sure to keep their face up out of the water, and assess for responsiveness.

Using a Rescue Device

Life rings, ropes, and rescue tubes are invaluable tools in water rescues. If any of these are available, utilize them:

• Throwing a Ring: When throwing a ring, aim past the person so that it falls in front of them and they are able to swim or reach it. Use a side toss rather than a direct over throw to maximize the distance.
• Approaching with a Rescue Tube: Approaching a drowning victim with a rescue tube will provide distance for you from the victim. It will also give you and them something to hold on to. If you can use a rescue tube, secure it under your arms and over your chest. This will free your hands to move. Push the tube towards the victim. When they grab on, use the tube to tow them back to shore.
• Towing with a Rope: A rope is a critical tool that allows you to increase your distance from the victim. It will also allow you to pull them to safety much easier. Secure one end of the rope to a stable location on the shore, and take the other end into the water. Throw the end of the rope out to the victim. If they can grab on, you can safely and easily begin to tow them back to safety.

Post-Rescue Care

Even after the victim is safely on shore, it is essential to provide proper post-rescue care:

• Monitor Breathing and Pulse: Continue to monitor the victim’s breathing and pulse. If necessary, begin CPR immediately, even if they had started breathing. Sometimes secondary drowning or fluid in the lungs can be an issue for several hours after an incident.
• Treat for Shock: Keep the victim warm and calm. Lay them down and elevate their legs to help blood flow to the vital organs.
• Do Not Leave Them Alone: Stay with the victim until professional help arrives. Be sure to continue to provide updates and information to medical personnel.
• Seek Medical Attention: All drowning victims should be evaluated by medical professionals as soon as possible.

Prevention is Key

While knowing how to rescue a drowning victim is critical, preventing drowning in the first place is the best approach. Here are some important preventative measures:

• Never Swim Alone: Always swim with a buddy, and supervise your kids closely.
• Swim in Designated Areas: Swim in areas where lifeguards are present and water conditions are safe.
• Learn to Swim: Enroll in swimming lessons to develop essential water skills and safety knowledge.
• Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Avoid using alcohol or drugs before or during swimming. They impair judgement and increase risk.
• Be Aware of Water Conditions: Check water conditions and weather forecasts before going in the water. Be aware of the risks of currents, riptides, and underwater hazards.
• Use Personal Flotation Devices: Wear a life jacket or other personal floatation device, especially when boating or participating in water sports.
• Supervise Children Closely: Always provide attentive supervision when children are around water, even if they are good swimmers.
• Learn CPR: Knowing CPR is an essential skill that can help save lives in drowning and other emergencies.
• Take First Aid Classes: Take a first aid and water safety class to be prepared.

Final Thoughts

Saving an active drowning victim is a challenging and potentially dangerous task. Your safety is always your first priority. Understanding the stages of drowning, implementing proper rescue techniques, and prioritizing prevention are essential to saving lives. Remember that practice and training in water safety and rescue can significantly improve your chances of helping someone in need. Don’t wait until an emergency happens, educate yourself and your loved ones now.