South Carolina Extension Publications WATER SAFETY

Jack W. Davis, Extension Safety Specialist

Someone is drowning! What should you do? The first reaction of most people is to try to save them. How? By swimming out there and rescuing them. NO! NO! NO!. That is not what you should do.

LIFESAVING

1. Don't ever swim out to rescue a drowning person unless you have had

   a course in lifesaving. There are many water accidents each year where a rescuer also drowns.

2. You can not save anyone if you drown too.
3. The first thing you learn in lifeguard training (lifesaving

   classes) is reach, throw, row and tow.

   1. Reach for the victim first.
   2. Throw something to the victim.
   3. Row-use a boat if available.
   4. Tow as a last resort, go in after the victim, only if you have

      lifesaving training.

4. Reaching Assists
   1. If someone is drowning near shore, hold a pole, oar, long

      stick, shirt, towel or anything close by for him to grab.

   2. Wade out from shore a little if it is not very deep and the

      water is not very fast. Do not wade out unless you know the bottom is safe.

5. Throwing Assists
   1. If someone is drowning further out, throw or push something to

      him.

   2. Examples: push a boat, spare tire (it floats). ice chests

      or throw a plastic milk jug, life jacket etc. Anything that will float will work-anything for the victim to hang onto.

   3. Try not to hit him when throwing him something.
   4. If a rope is around, tie it to something that floats and throw

      to him. Then pull him in.

   5. Rowing Assists
   6. If the victim is very far out and a boat is available, row or

      paddle out to him.

   7. Once you get to him, DO NOT let him grab hold of the side of

      the boat. He could turn it over. Have him grab the back of the boat.

   8. It is best then to have him hold on as you paddle to shore.

      If he must get in, be very careful not to rock the boat while standing up.

   9. If the boat does tip over, hang on to it. It will float.
   10. If the boat does tip over and you manage to turn it right side

       up, it will be filled with water. Get into the boat (it will float) and start paddling back to shore. SWIMMING SAFETY

6. Never swim by yourself, no matter how good of swimmer you are.
7. It is always much safer to swim where a lifeguard is on duty.
8. If you are in charge of small children, never take your eyes off of

   them around water. They can fall in and drown quickly.

9. If you are just learning to swim, stay in shallow water.
10. People who are poor swimmers, or can't swim, should not float on

    tubes, rafts or even try to water ski.

11. Even if you are a good swimmer, you may get a cramp or get tired.

    Never attempt a long swim, unless you have a boat following you.

12. If you get a cramp in your arm, leg or foot while you are swimming;

    No big deal.

    1. Stop and stretch it. Hold your breath, reach down and work it

       out. You will float.

    2. It is a technique called drown-proofing.
    3. If you feel a cramp coming on, change the way you are

       swimming.

13. It is recommended that you Never swim at night in the ocean, a lake,

    river, pond or unlighted swimming pool. This is especially true in the ocean, where a lot of fish feed at night.

14. Never call for help around water unless you need it. If you need

    it, yell, wave your arms, etc.

For more information on water safety, contact your American Red Cross Office, your local YMCA or YWCA.

This information was supplied by Deanna Spalding, a 4-Her from Pickens County working in the Safety Project.

-END-

תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתThe National Dairy Database (1992)תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת\NDB\OCCSAFE\TEXT2\FILE1038תתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתתת

%f TITLE;WATER SAFETY
%f COLLECTION;FARM AND OPERATOR SAFETY
%f ORIGIN;South Carolina
%f DATE_INCLUDED;June 1992