Every summer, millions of Americans head to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches looking to cool off. But the water demands respect. More than 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning in the United States each year — an average of about 11 deaths every day — making drowning one of the nation’s leading causes of accidental death. And that sobering number is ticking up, making the above rescue tips even more necessary.
The first step to saving someone from drowning is recognizing what drowning actually looks like. The signs are often much quieter and less dramatic than Hollywood would have you believe. A drowning person usually can’t wave, yell, or call for help; they’re focused entirely on trying to keep their mouth above water. Once you’ve recognized the emergency, resist the instinct to immediately jump in after them. A panicked drowning victim may instinctively grab, climb, and push down on their rescuer in a desperate attempt to stay afloat, putting both lives at risk. (Dozens of bystander/civilian rescuers perish annually for this very reason.)
Water rescue professionals now teach a simple framework: Reach, Throw, Row, Go. In short, do everything you can to rescue someone without entering the water yourself. The illustrated guide above walks you through each step.
