Authorities say five people have died on a river in Ohio after several of them went into the water to assist another person who was struggling to swim.
Great for moody television, but that seems like horrible advice for lifeguards lol
I know there’s a phenomenon of a drowning person flailing and bringing the lifeguard down with them, but I’m not sure you can tell from the shore that that’s gonna happen
As a former lifeguard, and an EMT, “do not go unless safe” is not only good advice, it’s basically drilled into you constantly.
It’s far too easy to get into the “I can save anyone” mindset and hurt yourself.
Sometimes you are off shift and don’t have the proper personal safety equipment. Sometimes the patient is actively violent. Sometimes the situation is such that going out yourself just creates two patients.
You ALWAYS, stop and look at the situation and think “scene safe?” Before doing ANYTHING for a rescue.
Sure, most city pool lifeguards are in a super controlled situation, and they have floatation devices and everything needed to help, but you should still take that two seconds to think before you go.
you won’t be able to tell, but at least when I was taught ages ago, they advised to call out verbally before approaching, and then circle around to approach from the back to prevent them pushing you under in an attempt to draw a breath. and that’s after trying to find other ways to save them than getting in yourself
When I lifeguarded we were taught to protect ourselves as well. Not just approach cautiously but physically keep people from drowning you and be able to stay out if reach when necessary.
Reach, throw, row, go is what we were taught when I was a kid.
Use a stick or something for them to grab if you’re close enough
Throw something buoyant attached to a rope to tow them back
Row out in a boat and use a paddle/buoy/life jacket for them to grab and tow them back, especially if in a canoe, they’ll capsize you trying to get in.
Finally, if nothing else works, go and do the stuff you said
Great for moody television, but that seems like horrible advice for lifeguards lol
I know there’s a phenomenon of a drowning person flailing and bringing the lifeguard down with them, but I’m not sure you can tell from the shore that that’s gonna happen
Thats also what the big floaty thing is for. Life gaurds are very good swimmers.
As a former lifeguard, and an EMT, “do not go unless safe” is not only good advice, it’s basically drilled into you constantly.
It’s far too easy to get into the “I can save anyone” mindset and hurt yourself.
Sometimes you are off shift and don’t have the proper personal safety equipment. Sometimes the patient is actively violent. Sometimes the situation is such that going out yourself just creates two patients.
You ALWAYS, stop and look at the situation and think “scene safe?” Before doing ANYTHING for a rescue.
Sure, most city pool lifeguards are in a super controlled situation, and they have floatation devices and everything needed to help, but you should still take that two seconds to think before you go.
You’d also think that a lifeguard would be specifically trained to work with this, and also equipped with some floatation device to help
you won’t be able to tell, but at least when I was taught ages ago, they advised to call out verbally before approaching, and then circle around to approach from the back to prevent them pushing you under in an attempt to draw a breath. and that’s after trying to find other ways to save them than getting in yourself
When I lifeguarded we were taught to protect ourselves as well. Not just approach cautiously but physically keep people from drowning you and be able to stay out if reach when necessary.
I was told it was okay to knock someone OUT if it meant saving their life and protecting your own.
Reach, throw, row, go is what we were taught when I was a kid.
Use a stick or something for them to grab if you’re close enough
Throw something buoyant attached to a rope to tow them back
Row out in a boat and use a paddle/buoy/life jacket for them to grab and tow them back, especially if in a canoe, they’ll capsize you trying to get in.
Finally, if nothing else works, go and do the stuff you said