How to save a drowning person without drowning yourself

How to understand that a person is drowning

Every year about 372 thousand people die from drowning, and this does not necessarily occur in deserted places or at great depths.

People drown on public beaches and in swimming pools, sometimes right in front of other beachgoers or lifeguards. And it’s not a matter of the terrifying indifference of others. It’s just that not everyone will be able to determine that a person is in trouble, because people go under water very quietly.

This feature was first discovered by Doctor of Science Francesco Pia back in 1974. He called it the instinctive reaction of a drowning man. The scientist noticed that drowning people behave the same way – and not at all the way they are usually depicted in films.

They do not shout or wave their arms, trying to signal to others. Since we speak while exhaling, it is impossible to scream and inhale at the same time, and for a drowning person the latter is a priority.

People automatically spread their arms to the sides and press them on the water, trying to push off from it and float up. Therefore, they simply have nothing to give signs with. They may also rotate their arms backward to keep their face above the water, or move as if they were climbing a rope ladder. In any case, people only move vertically, not horizontally or diagonally.

The silent struggle for life lasts from 20 to 90 seconds. During this time, drowning people can hide under water several times and appear again. Although some disappear only once, after which they never resurface.

If you see that a person is silently splashing in place, goes under the water and emerges again, shout to him: “Are you all right?” If he doesn’t answer, save him.

At the same time, help may also be needed for those who have not yet experienced the instinctive reaction of a drowning person. Shortly before it, a person may panic. In this state, he is still able to control his movements and can somehow help himself: extend his hand or grab a circle.

Experienced lifeguard Mario Vitton listed Signs that may indicate that a person is in trouble:

• the head is immersed deep, the mouth is at water level;
• head thrown back, mouth open;
• the gaze is empty, vision is unfocused;
• eyes closed;
• facial or eye hair;
• the body is located vertically in the water, the legs do not help movement;
• rapid breathing, shortness of breath;
• unsuccessful attempts to swim in a certain direction;
• attempts to roll over onto your back.

How to help a drowning person

If you don’t know how to swim, don’t jump into the water: you risk turning from a rescuer into a victim. Call for help and call an ambulance.

If you are confident in your abilities, try to save the person yourself. But under no circumstances try to grab it from the front. In a panic, he can cling to you, make you unable to move and drown you.

Swim up to the drowning man from behind and use one of the techniques described below.

Support your head

Cup the person’s head with your palms on both sides under the jaw, as shown in the photo.

Keeping the person’s head above the water, swim towards the shore while moving your legs.

Grab your shoulder with one hand

Swim up to the person from behind and grab him with one arm so that his shoulder is under your armpit. Swim to the shore, helping yourself with your legs and one free hand.

Place one hand around your waist

This method is called Pia Carry. Swim up to the person underwater, grab them around the waist with one arm and push them up so their head and shoulders are above the surface.

Then swim to the shore, helping yourself with one hand and legs.

Try to calm the drowning man. Instill in him that he will be saved only if he obeys you.

How to help

If the victim is unconscious, after pulling him ashore, please provide first aid:

• place the person with the lower edge of the chest on your thigh so that his head is lower than his body;
• wrapping your finger in a handkerchief, clean his mouth from silt and sand;
• press vigorously on the body so that water comes out of the respiratory tract and stomach;
• if a person has no pulse or breathing, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation – we described how to do this correctly here.
• when water starts to come out of the person, tilt his head to the side.

How not to drown yourself

Specific measures depend depending on the situation you find yourself in.

If you don’t know how to swim and accidentally fall into the water

Lie on your back, spread your arms and legs wide, breathe as deeply and rarely as possible. Try not to panic – remember that the water is pushing you up. The main thing is to relax and take in as much air as possible into your lungs.

If lying on the water is not possible and you are floundering in an upright position, try moving your legs as if pedaling a bicycle. Splash the water with your hands, transferring part of the load to them.

You can also try another option: bend both legs at the same time, spreading your knees to the sides, and then sharply straighten them.

If you know how to swim, but are running out of strength

Roll over onto your back and relax. Rest in this position and then row towards shore again.

If you experience muscle cramps while swimming, try the following:

• calf – take a vertical position, grab your big toe and forcefully pull your foot towards you;
• thigh – bend your knee and press your heel to your buttock;
• hand – clench and unclench your fingers;
• stomach – bend your knees and pull them towards it.

If you are carried away by the current

If you find yourself in a river with a strong current, do not try to swim against it – you will simply waste your energy. Follow the stream, heading diagonally towards the nearest bank. When you see a bend, swim to its inner radius.

Currents can also arise at sea, in the space between two shallows hidden from view under water. This phenomenon is called reverse flow. And it can drag you towards the open sea.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. Let the water carry you, and as soon as you feel the current slowing down – usually after a few meters – turn and swim along the shore until you get out.

If you get caught in seaweed

If you feel seaweed clinging to your feet, push hard with both limbs to free yourself. If this does not help, rub one foot against the other, rolling off underwater vegetation.

Don’t stop, dive, or flounder randomly in place—you risk getting even more confused. When you are free, carefully swim away from the dangerous place, trying to move your legs as little as possible.