How to – safely – help someone who's drowning
Since 1980, 93 people have drowned while trying to save another person. Typically it is the person in trouble that survives, and the would-be rescuer that drowns, says WaterSafe Auckland chief executive Jonathon Webber.
He says most of these people would still be alive today if they followed one piece of advice: only enter the water if you have some form of flotation.
"You don’t see lifeguards attempting a rescue without equipment," he says.
“We are lucky to live in a country where people are prepared to step up and make these heroic attempts at rescue,” says Mr Webber.
“We just want them to be able to return home to their families safe and well.”
Only enter the water if you have some form of flotation
In many cases, a rescue can be performed without entering water – throwing something to the person, or by only going out to waist-depth and reaching out with a branch or beach umbrella.
Mr Webber says that if purpose-designed rescue equipment such as life-rings are not available, use improvised flotation aids such as bodyboards, surfboards, rugby balls, chilly-bin lids, or even empty two- or three-litre juice or milk containers.
“Providing flotation to a person interrupts the drowning process, buying valuable time to either plan how to get the person back to shore or wait until rescue services arrive,” he says.
WaterSafe Auckland has developed a model of bystander rescue called the ‘4Rs of Aquatic Rescue’ – Recognise, Respond, Rescue and Revive – which they would like to see incorporated into first aid and other forms of public safety education.
The 4 R's of Aquatic Rescue
- Recognise: Notice someone in trouble – Check for danger – Ask “Are you okay?” The person may be unable to call out or wave for help. Act quickly.
- Respond: Provide flotation without delay – Improvised flotation aids are okay – Ask another person to call 111 so you don’t lose sight of the person in trouble.
- Rescue: Your safety comes first – Rescue from land or craft is the safest – Throw a rope, or wade out to waist depth an extend a branch/pole – Only go further than waist depth with some form of flotation for yourself – Use the flotation aid as a barrier between yourself and the person in trouble so they don’t grab hold of you – If you can safely return to shore do so, otherwise wait for help to arrive.
- Revive: The person may require first aid/CPR when you get back to shore – If the person is not breathing normally, start CPR – If they are breathing, place in the recovery position – Make sure an ambulance has been called – Stay with the person until help arrives.