Swim safely this summer

As you enjoy yourselves in and around the water this summer, let's ensure that lifeguard services are available. If not, there should be someone in the group who can perform basic survival skills and have an idea of safe swimming.

Your safety person should be able to tell if an individual is experiencing difficulties and cannot swim to safety. Some of the distress signs include a look of fear and panic, being unable to shout or speak while struggling in the water, being in an upright position in the water, waving the hands or thrashing the water, and bobbing motion of head and body.

When danger strikes

If you recognise someone in danger, stay calm and call for help if necessary. If you are a non-swimmer you can use one of these rescue techniques: reaching-and-extension assist, throwing and wading.

Maintain visual contact of the victim while you get a piece of rescue equipment appropriate for the situation such as rope, stick, cloth, pole, towel or floating device. Always guard your own safety when attempting a rescue exercise.

Establish a firm footing or handhold and keep your body weight low and away from the victim. If you get pulled into the water you could become a victim yourself.

Rescuing the victim

Talk with the victim and encourage him to help you to rescue him. To reach and assist while you are out of the water, lie down or get down as low as possible, spread your legs apart and extend your arm or object to the victim. If it is safe to enter the water, establish a firm base then extend your arm, towel, clothing, branches, stick or anything that can be extended to the victim. Once the victim grabs the object pull it slowly so that you do not pull it out of his hand, once he is close enough make sure you grab him first.

If the distance to the victim is too far for an extension assist, a throwing assist may be your best option. A length of rope with a knot at the end or some object attached is best. This should be thrown over the victims' head then pulled towards him. If he is in a river, throw the rope up stream and allow the river to carry it downstream to him.

To assist a victim with the wading-assist technique, try and engage the victim in a conversation throughout the exercise. Enter the water with the rescue device and proceed toward the victim until the water is at chest height.

Extend the rescue device to the victim while keeping your weight shifted away from the victim so that when he or she grabs the object, you will not be pulled towards him or her. Once the victim is in position of the rescue device, continue to guide him until he is safely out of the water.

Dr Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at Holiday Hills Research Center; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.