Drowning can happen at any time. Drowning occurs not only in large bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams but also in shallow bodies of water such as buckets and aquariums. Rescuing and bringing victims to shore poses many risks for both the rescuer and the victim. Every year, it is not difficult to see the media reporting on incidents where relatives, friends, and bystanders tried to save victims with the result that many people drowned at the same time.
Bringing a drowning person to shore following safe methods and principles not only helps ensure the rescuer’s safety but also improves the victim’s chances of survival. The following knowledge is presented by Australian Lifesaving Expert Tony Coffey – Co-founder of SSVN Survival Skills and instructor of Surf Life Saving Services.
1. Early identification of signs of drowning
Early identification of signs of drowning makes rescuing the victim easier. The victim can cooperate with the rescuer to get to shore and the possibility of health consequences is also lower, such as brain death. , water in the lungs, etc. This sign can occur as little as 1 minute before the victim sinks into the water.
Delayed recognition of signs of drowning, especially after the victim has sunk into the water, makes rescue work difficult, such as difficulty in locating the victim and making it more difficult to bring the victim to shore. At the same time, within 3-4 minutes from the moment the victim stops breathing, the brain becomes deprived of oxygen and begins to die. Even if the victim is saved, the sequelae of brain damage can last until the end of life. After about 8 minutes, the victim could die completely if not brought ashore promptly and given first aid.
The ‘escalating’ position of a drowning victim.
However, signs of drowning are difficult to detect and require extreme vigilance such as:
- Drowning usually happens very quickly, the victim can sink below the water’s surface within about 1 minute.
- Drowning victims often struggle in a ‘climbing’ position that can easily be confused with playing or swimming.
- The victim cannot call for help because he is trying to hold his breath or the water enters the trachea.
2. Rescue without having to go into the water.
The survival response of a drowning victim is very strong and difficult to control. If the rescuer approaches the victim, the victim can hold on tightly and climb on the rescuer, causing both to sink into the water. Therefore, bringing the victim to shore without going into the water is the safest.
Shout out, call for help
- Call on people around you to come help. They can help you: call 115, find rescue supplies nearby, assist you if you have trouble, etc. Especially if after bringing the victim to shore in a state of respiratory arrest, you need many people to do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), also known as chest compressions and rescue breathing, to maintain the victim’s life. until the medical team arrives.
Instruct the victim to lie on their back and kick their legs.
- If you can attract the victim’s attention by shouting loudly and giving them instructions, this will be better. If the victim can listen and follow instructions, they can maintain their breathing and that may make them less frightened. Instruct the victim to lie on their back and kick their feet. If the victim can do this successfully then they can float and maintain their nose and mouth above the water to survive longer and give us more time to save them.
Use the pole to pull the victim up.
Standard swimming pools often have rescue poles, some types can extend further and have striking colors. Or you can look for long objects that can reach a nearby victim.
Pull the victim to shore with a long stick.
You hold one end of the stick and give the other end to the victim to hold. You lower your body, for example: kneel or lie down to avoid being accidentally pulled into the water by the victim. Then slowly pull the victim back to shore.
Throw buoys or floating objects.
Throw buoys or floating objects.
Throw it within reach of the victim so he can float on his own, then try to bring him to shore.
Throw the rope.
Expert Tony Coffey shows how to throw a rope.
Step on one end of the rope with one foot, roll the rope into a large coil, and throw the rope to the victim within arm’s reach so they can grab onto the rope. The rescuer then lowers the center of gravity and pulls the victim to shore.
3. Principles when having to go into the water to rescue.
Do not go into the water to rescue the victim if you do not know how to swim, have never learned and practiced rescue, or are in deep, dangerous water. In case you must go into the water to rescue the victim, please ensure the following principles:
- Always remember that going into the water to save people is extremely dangerous. Only assist the victim when you can ensure your safety.
- Do not touch the victim directly as they may cling to you and pull you into the water.
- Approach from behind by swimming behind the victim or telling the victim to turn their back to you.
Here are some techniques to save victims when entering water.
Indirect touch.
Bring an intermediary object when entering the water, which can be a floating object such as a buoy, water can, or any other object so that the victim does not cling directly to you. You hold one end and the victim holds on to the other end. Then you slowly pull the victim to shore.
Pull directly to shore.
In case you cannot find an intermediate object for the victim to approach indirectly and decide to still go into the water to save the victim. In case you cannot find an intermediate object for the victim to approach indirectly and decide to still go into the water to save the victim.
Then grab the victim’s hair, collar, and nape of the neck and pull the victim in. At the same time, order the victim to lie on his back and kick his legs. At the same time, order the victim to lie on his back and kick his legs. This position helps you pull the victim to shore more easily and the victim also panics less.
After successfully bringing the victim to shore. Give first aid to a drowning person. Please refer to the video below on how to provide first aid to drowning children, produced by SSVN Survival Skills in collaboration with VTV2.
The above instructions are referenced from documents of Surf Life Saving Services – Australia’s leading water rescue organization with more than 115 years of experience. Survival Skills SSVN is proud to be the exclusive partner of SLSS in Vietnam. You can learn these skills at SSVN Survival Skills‘ international standard First Aid training program at elearning.survivalskills.vn/en
