Signs of Drowning

[jdag]

I happened across this last evening and thought it was a super important read. We all spend a good amount of time around water, and I am sure you will find this information surprising on the signs that someone is drowning...

http://tinyurl.com/lb8n57l

 

[BritLady]

Thanks for posting, have read before but it was good to have a refresher.

 

[Avenger]

Thanks for the link. One can't be to carefull especially with the kids.

 

[Alegria]

Great read!!! I've seen this before and now the lack of motion is the key to take action for me!!!!

 

[mquiet]

also a good idea to watch a person who has aspirated liquid as they might later fall victim to dry drowning.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I've been certified as a rescue diver and I've assisted in a few real world swimmers in distress. I can tell you that you have to be a little careful when coming to the rescue of a swimmer in distress. They kick into total survival mode and the first instinct they have when someone approaches them is to climb onto them trying to get above the surface of the water and will not let go. This can be a big problem if the water is deeper than you are tall. So if you approach, be aware of this and know what you are going to do before they grab you. If you can approach them from behind, then you have a better chance of not being grabbed. If you approach from the front and they try to grab you, push them up over you as you go below the water and swim under them and come up from behind.

As always, it's good to take a CPR course and if you can, a water rescue course or lifeguard course.

 

[jrseitz]

Great information and thanks for sharing!

 

[redneck joe]

bea me to it i've been posting these n my forums today

Drowning is the second-most common cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 14 (just behind motor vehicle accidents). In a 2004 study by a national safety group, 90 percent of children who drowned did so while under the care of an adult or a teenager. In many cases, the study suggests, that person had a momentary lapse of attention. But the fact is that often those watching don’t know what to look for—because drowning doesn’t look like drowning. To ward off a tragedy in the making, watch for the 8 signs that someone is in trouble.

1. A drowning person can’t call for help—she has to be able to breathe before she can speak. When a person is drowning, her mouth sinks below and reappears above the surface of the water. There isn’t time for her to exhale, inhale, and call out.

2. She can’t wave for help either. A drowning person instinctively extends her arms to the sides and presses down to lift her mouth out of the water; a child may extend her arms forward. She can’t use her arms to move toward a rescuer or reach for rescue equipment.

3. A drowning person remains upright in the water, with no evidence of kicking. She can struggle for only 20 to 60 seconds before going under.

4. Eyes are glassy, unable to focus, or closed.

5. Hair may be over forehead or eyes.

6. Head is low in the water, with mouth at water level; head may be tilted back with mouth open. A child’s head may fall forward.

7. Sometimes the most important indicator that someone is drowning is that she doesn’t look like she’s drowning. She may just seem to be looking up at the sky, shore, pool deck, or dock. Ask her, “Are you all right?” If she can answer at all, she probably is. If she returns a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to her.

8. Children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you need to get to them and find out why.

 

[tdschafer]

Good read, great info. Thanks for the post.