The salvation of a drowning man is the work of the drowning man himself. This expression is true in many areas of life, but not in the literal sense. A person can do a lot to prevent a dangerous situation on the water, but when he becomes this "drowning man", he will not help much to himself.
What if you saw a drowning person? At this moment, it is important to urgently take measures to save him. Indeed, in order for a person to drown, it only takes a few minutes. It is extremely important to quickly assess the situation and choose the best method of assistance. In such a situation, one must remember that human life can be the reward for actions taken.
We correctly assess the situation
To begin with, it is important to understand that not every drowning person will call for help and flounder violently in the water. Vocal apparatus cramps, shortness of breath, and panic can prevent someone in distress from making any sounds to attract the attention of potential rescuers.
The fact that a person needs outside help can be indicated by his stay in one place, periodic leaving under water and a traceable panic in the movements and facial expressions. If you are not sure that someone is really drowning, try to hail him or draw the attention of others. When confirming this assumption, it is necessary to remember what actions are taken to save the drowning man.
Defining the method of salvation
Rushing into the water to help a drowning person is a noble cause, but not always justified. This should not be the first thing that comes to your mind in such a situation, especially if you are not a very experienced swimmer. Better do the following steps:
- Get others to help.
- Determine whether it is necessary to jump into the water to save the drowning person, or whether assistance can be provided from the shore, boat, or pier.
- Find items that can help in salvation.
We help, not immersing in water: option number 1
If the distance and the state of the drowning person allows, you can grab him by the hand. To ensure a reliable grip, it is necessary to loudly and clearly explain to the drowning man that he needs to grab your hand as tightly as possible. Try to speak in a calm but confident voice so as not to increase the panic of the person you are saving.
In order not to be in the water, take a lying position, spread your arms and legs wide and ask someone to hold you. In no case do not assist standing or crouching. Do everything possible so that the salvation of a drowning man does not become a battle with death for you.
We help, not immersing in water: option number 2
If it is impossible to reach the victim with your hand, take a paddle or a life-saving pole, look for a strong stick, branch or other nearby solid object and, handing it to the drowning one, explain that he should grasp him tightly. If a person tired of the struggle for life does not have the strength to hold on to something, you still have to jump into the water and help him (the option is permissible if there are at least two rescuers).
We help, not immersing in water: option number 3
Any non-sinking item at hand can do a great job when the drowning man is saved. On the water of such a person will help to keep a life buoy, a piece of polystyrene, wood or even a plastic bottle. If possible, tie the rope to what you will use. Using it to pull the victim out of the water will be much easier.
However, when throwing an object intended for salvation into the water, be careful not to get into a person. Try to calculate the throw so that the object to the drowning carried the current. If the victim has weakened and cannot hold on to the object thrown to him, it is necessary to swim to him and help to do this.
When and who should go to the rescue
What to do if you notice a drowning person located far from the shore, pier, boat or pool edge? In this case, the ways to save the drowning man are not so diverse. If you swim perfectly and are in good physical shape and stamina, you can safely rush into the water. But it will be better to ask someone to swim with you for safety.
In the absence of confidence that you are able to cope with the task, do not take risks. The best thing you can do in this situation is call for help. If you are in a public place, you probably will find at least one person in your environment who can help and knows how to do it. While rescue is being organized, call an ambulance crew.
We swim to the drowning man
Trying to save a drowning man in a panic, you can find yourself in a rather dangerous situation. Struggling for life, he may not behave quite adequately. The state of shock in which he is located may prompt him to actions that threaten the life of his savior, and, accordingly, his own. It is possible that the sinking will clutch at the one who helps him, interfering with the freedom of his movements and immersing both under water.
In view of such a danger, it is better to swim to the drowning man from behind, so that until the last they go unnoticed. If the action takes place on the river, immerse yourself in water in the place from where the current will help you to swim to the drowning man. If possible, take a life buoy or other object with you, grabbing onto which you can hold onto the surface of the water. Do not jump into the water in clothes, as its severity after getting wet will complicate your movement, and it will be easier for a drowning person to cling to you.
We transport the drowning man
The rules for saving a drowning man also concern further movement with him along the water. The tactics of behavior here depend on its state. If he is calm and adequate, you can easily transport him after he firmly grabs your shoulders.
If a person in a panic grabs at you chaotically, first try to relax and dive with it under water. Then, when he lets you go and rushes to the surface, you will have a chance to grab him correctly. An ideal girth option is to get a hand that is convenient for you under the arm of a drowning man from the back and grab his opposite shoulder. In this case you will have to swim sideways, using one free hand.
If a person behaves calmly, he can be transported in other ways. For example, lying with your back on the water, you can hold his chin above the water with one or both hands. If you hold the chin with one hand, you can use the second for rowing.
Another option is to get your strong arm under the same hand of the drowning man and with it support his chin. You can hold the drowning man behind the arm lying on his chest and passing through the armpit of the other hand. The option with which it is better to rescue a drowning man will be prompted by the situation.
Save the drowning in winter
The algorithm for saving the drowning man, under which the ice fell, is completely different. It is important here, without wasting a minute, to call rescuers and an ambulance. While they get to the scene of the accident, you can carefully help the victim get out of the icy water. To do this, you need to arm yourself with a stick, belt, scarf or other object, the second end of which the victim can grab.
To get to the victim should be from the thickest ice. This should only be done by creeping, arms and legs spread wide. When he can grab the edge of the subject you are using, carefully, gently move backward, dragging him along. When getting on the ice to the shore, try not to get close to each other, crawl slowly, avoiding sudden movements.
We provide first aid
If during a time in the water a person has time to choke on it, as vomiting, loss of consciousness and a bluish complexion can tell, once in a safe place, you should first help him clean his lungs and stomach. For this victim, having placed face down, you need to throw over your leg bent at the knee and press on the interscapular space.
Another important action on which the rescue of a drowning person depends is the normalization of his breathing. Sometimes for this it is enough to open his mouth wide and pull his tongue. If he cannot breathe due to a spasm, there is a need for artificial respiration. You may need a heart massage.
After first aid, try to calm and warm the victim as soon as possible. To reduce heat loss, you need to quickly remove wet clothes from it, massage the limbs, rub the body with a dry cloth (you can use alcohol) and wrap it in warm, dry things. This is especially important if there is a rescue of a drowning man in winter. In this case, if there are no dry things, it is necessary to squeeze out the wet ones, moisten them well with alcohol and put them on the victim again. This will produce a warming compress. Another option is to wrap it on top with plastic wrap.
Unfortunately, in life there have often been situations when, in an attempt to pull someone out of the water, the rescuer himself lost his life. This almost always happens due to the fact that the basic rules for saving a drowning person are known to a very small percentage of the population. While, armed with this vital information, you can accomplish a feat and stay alive.