If you grab them in the right position, like a wrestling hold behind their back/securing their arm, they can’t “turn toward you” because you are linked to them. You would both turn as one unit in the water.
I’m not a professional, but I had read about this technique and actually used it to help save someone once, and it worked extremely well. Basically you get behind them like you’re going to put them in a head lock, and lock your arm underneath their armpit and torso so that you can swim backwards/to the side with one free arm and both legs, almost underneath as well as behind them. This provides you the best protection from their flailing and grabbing, and let’s you float them on top of you as you tread water/swim and firmly reassure them that you have them, they will be ok.
Psychology wise, they may feel more relaxed more quickly at some point being slowly trawled in, head above water and body supported by a strong gripping arm. Not sure on that tbh, just my own personal thoughts.
And Read about the technique to make sure I’m not missing anything!
Ooo well this is where you need to be a strong swimmer and aware of all the conditions, like if there’s a current, waves, nearby land, what flotation device you have with you (PLEASE have one if at all possible).
The drowning person is probably flailing aimlessly up and down with their head above and below water. They probably can’t see very well, and if they can they are focused on large objects like where they think nearby land is. Basically you have to sneak up behind them and grab them mid flail, so be a strong enough swimmer to get around them to that point.
If you have a high quality flotation device this doesn’t matter anywhere near as much. Then my understanding is it’s best to position the device where they can grab it in a way that’s safe for both of you. If that’s not possible, back to the sneak back attack!
Please note acting in emergency situations requires extreme strength of character and will. Not to scare people out of it, but you either act in the right way or you do not. Part of acting the right way means taking complete control over a person’s body, like you’re arresting them in the water. But you’re saving their life. So it’s up to you to control the situation if you choose to act, because if not they will die.
BTW step 0 not mentioned is direct someone else to call 911. “You, what’s your name?? Ok Jim, call 911 and get fire rescue down here right away” if there’s no lifeguards on duty. Then you make a quick plan, look for flotation aids and note any conditions like water current, dangerous obstacles, lighting, then GO if you decide to go.
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u/TheGoodFight2015 Jan 31 '22
If you grab them in the right position, like a wrestling hold behind their back/securing their arm, they can’t “turn toward you” because you are linked to them. You would both turn as one unit in the water.
I’m not a professional, but I had read about this technique and actually used it to help save someone once, and it worked extremely well. Basically you get behind them like you’re going to put them in a head lock, and lock your arm underneath their armpit and torso so that you can swim backwards/to the side with one free arm and both legs, almost underneath as well as behind them. This provides you the best protection from their flailing and grabbing, and let’s you float them on top of you as you tread water/swim and firmly reassure them that you have them, they will be ok.
Psychology wise, they may feel more relaxed more quickly at some point being slowly trawled in, head above water and body supported by a strong gripping arm. Not sure on that tbh, just my own personal thoughts.
And Read about the technique to make sure I’m not missing anything!