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How to Help a Distressed Swimmer

About ten people die every day due to accidental drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These individuals are not necessarily children or weak swimmers because even the strongest of swimmers can quickly become distressed from fatigue, hypothermia, intoxication or injury. Slowing down, becoming more vertical in the water or appearing tense, a distressed swimmer might not necessarily call or wave for help because his attention and energy are focused on survival. Therefore, quickly spotting and responding to a distressed swimmer can mean the difference between life and death.

Things You'll Need

  • Life jacket
  • Flotation device
  • Rope, long stick or tied clothing
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Instructions

  1. From the Side of the Water

    • 1

      Throw the distressed swimmer a life jacket, telling him to hold onto it or to put it around his chest if possible.

    • 2

      Anchor yourself on ground or in a boat, depending whether you are in open water or near the shoreline or poolside. Get as close to the ground or boat floor as possible so that you maintain balance.

    • 3

      Hold onto one end of a rope, long stick, clothing tied together or the string attached to a flotation device and throw the other end to the distressed swimmer. Tell him to take hold and then pull him ashore or to the boat. Alternately, get your boat as close to him as possible and tie the flotation device, rope or clothing tied together around his waist and gently pull him to shore. Avoid pulling the distressed swimmer into your boat, if possible, because doing so could capsize the boat and send you into the water.

    • 4

      Administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if necessary and immediately call emergency personnel.

    In the Water

    • 5

      Enter the water when you cannot rescue the distressed swimmer otherwise but only if you are a strong swimmer. Do not enter the water if you are not a strong swimmer or if the circumstances are too threatening so that you avoid placing both of your lives in danger.

    • 6

      Wrap one of your arms around the distressed swimmer's chest from behind and make sure his head and chin remain above the water. Calm him by gently talking.

    • 7

      Pull the distressed swimmer ashore or to a boat. Administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if he has stopped breathing and call 911 as soon as possible.

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