04/30/2024
May is almost here, and with warmer weather, families are heading to the water. As an ISR instructor and lifeguard, I know the signs of drowning, but it's crucial for parents to learn too. Sharing this article is a small step in keeping our loved ones safe. Let's equip our children with vital skills like floating and self-rescue. It could save a life.
Many kids will drown right in front of their parents, because drowning doesn’t look like what you think it does.
Do YOU know what it looks like?
It’s not what you see on TV. TV dramatizes it to keep you in suspense and make you keep watching.
This is what drowning REALLY looks like:
1) It’s SILENT. No splashes. No screams. They are trying to breathe and can’t make noises.
2) It’s FAST! It takes 20-60 seconds.
3) There is no jumping out of the water or arms flailing around. It happens almost entirely under water.
4) Their head will be arched up, attempting to reach the surface to breathe. They may bob up and down just at the surface for a little while and this can look like doggy paddling/playing.
5) Under the water, they are in a vertical, up and down position and their arms and legs are cycling as if they are trying to climb a ladder.
6) They can’t move forward much, if at all….not enough to get to safety.
7) They can be right next to the wall or an exit and still not be able to reach it…and they will drown inches away from safety.
8 ) They can be in water shallow enough for them to stand in but not realize they can simply stand up, as they are in panic mode.
Learn to spot drowning. You just might save a little life!!
