Reach or Throw, Don’t Go!

A frequent and dangerous water safety mistake is when an onlooker—whether a child or adult—sees a person in distress in the water and jumps in to assist the victim. The panic of the situation often rushes the potential-rescuer to act swiftly, before first assessing the situation. Their intention is to jump in, swim to the victim in distress, and tow him or her back to safety. However, what often ends up happening is that the survival-mode adrenaline of the victim causes him or her to grasp ahold of anything that looks like safety and use it to stay afloat, oftentimes causing the potential-rescuer to actually become another drowning victim.

There’s a better way!

When someone is in distress in the water, immediately call for assistance from 911 and/or people nearby. Then, take a second to assess the situation:

– Can I reach the victim from the side of the water?
– Can I stand in the water or is it over my head?
– If the victim is a child, would I be able to carry the child’s full weight while swimming?
– Is there a way for the victim and I to get back out of the water if I were to jump in?

Once you have assessed the situation, make a plan of action.

If the victim IS close enough to reach from the side

Stay low and reach your hand or an item towards him or her to grasp on to and pull the victim back to safety. Items that may be around the water to use to reach out include:

• • Shepherd Hook
  • Pool Noodle
  • Fishing Pole
  • Kayak, Canoe, or Paddleboard Paddle
  • Stick
  • Tree Branch
  • Rake or Shovel
  • Rope
  • Baseball Bat

If the victim is not close enough to reach

Throw a light-weight, floatable object to the victim. Items that may be around the water to throw include:

• • Kick Board
  • Life Jacket
  • Ring Buoy
  • Beach Ball
  • Inner Tube or Other Float
  • Empty Picnic Cooler
  • Empty Water Jug

Reach or Throw, Don't Go

When it comes to children performing a rescue, we teach the water safety rule that they should never jump in the water to assist. It is better to call for help from an adult and look for ways to reach or throw, don’t go!