What You Should Know About Drowning (before you learn it firsthand)
Most drownings occur 10 feet or less from safety, and roughly 60 percent of the time another person is both witnessing and in a position to rescue the victim. Unfortunately, would-be rescuers are not aware of the classic signs of drowning.
These signs are:
1. Head back.
2. Mouth open, establishing an airway - but not vocalizing.
3. Arms doing an involuntary, above the water, breast stroke.
4. Head bobbing up and down, above then below the surface.
Drowning occurs rapidly and soundlessly, averaging 20 seconds in small children and up to a minute in adults. To the uninitiated a drowning person's surface struggle may appear to be playing, clowning or splashing accompanied by lack of requests for help. Simply observing and reacting to the signs of drowning by basic, shore-based throwing or reaching rescues may cancel a needless tragedy.
From Nautical Know How, at http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip2.htm
A drowning can be very unexpected, and nobody, no matter how well they swim, is safe. When some trauma happens, such as unexpectedly stepping off an underwater shelf, the surprise itself can cause a drowning response. A person could involuntarily gasp, and take in a gulp of water – and never get their breath back. Very cold water is especially hazardous, and can incapacitate even a strong swimmer with the body’s panic response.
BC & Yukon Drowning Report Summary
Adults 35 - 49 years old are the most likely to drown and 80% of all drownings continue to be male victims. In 1999, males accounted for 90% of all boating deaths, and all victims who drowned while powerboating were male. 90% of victims not wearing lifejackets were male, and men accounted for 73% of all alcohol-related drownings.
Over 61% of victims drowned in the company of others and almost half were with other adults. One third of all fatalities also drowned less than 2 metres from safety.
Boating-related deaths account for one third of all drownings every year, a majority being those in powerboats. Nearly half of all boating deaths occurred after the boat capsized or was swamped. Of boaters who drowned, 68% were not wearing lifejackets, 16% were impaired and almost half were in water conditions that were too difficult to handle.
Solutions:
Take precautions.
Throw Something that Floats -React quickly by throwing a lifejacket, cooler or anything that floats. Aim for the victim's hands. Throwing is the safest and best method to use first.
Use a Long Object to Reach Out - Try reaching out to someone in trouble, with a pole or a branch, while keeping yourself low (kneeling or lying down). Pull the victim to safety.
Boaters: Follow This Simple 3 Step Plan
Wear the gear and look like a boater. Even good swimmers wear their lifejackets. Your life is worth the jacket.
Don't Drink and Boat. Drinking alcohol before or during boating can spoil the rest of your day. Driving on water is not the same as driving on land; water, glare and waves create a much more difficult "roadway" and alcohol only amplifies the problem. Responsible boaters know when and where to drink.
Only boat in waters that you can handle and check the weather report before you launch. Mother Nature can often surprise even the most seasoned boater. When weather turns bad, head for shore.
By the Lifesaving Society, BC& Yukon branch, http://www.lifesaving.bc.ca
These signs are:
1. Head back.
2. Mouth open, establishing an airway - but not vocalizing.
3. Arms doing an involuntary, above the water, breast stroke.
4. Head bobbing up and down, above then below the surface.
Drowning occurs rapidly and soundlessly, averaging 20 seconds in small children and up to a minute in adults. To the uninitiated a drowning person's surface struggle may appear to be playing, clowning or splashing accompanied by lack of requests for help. Simply observing and reacting to the signs of drowning by basic, shore-based throwing or reaching rescues may cancel a needless tragedy.
From Nautical Know How, at http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/060199tip2.htm
A drowning can be very unexpected, and nobody, no matter how well they swim, is safe. When some trauma happens, such as unexpectedly stepping off an underwater shelf, the surprise itself can cause a drowning response. A person could involuntarily gasp, and take in a gulp of water – and never get their breath back. Very cold water is especially hazardous, and can incapacitate even a strong swimmer with the body’s panic response.
BC & Yukon Drowning Report Summary
Adults 35 - 49 years old are the most likely to drown and 80% of all drownings continue to be male victims. In 1999, males accounted for 90% of all boating deaths, and all victims who drowned while powerboating were male. 90% of victims not wearing lifejackets were male, and men accounted for 73% of all alcohol-related drownings.
Over 61% of victims drowned in the company of others and almost half were with other adults. One third of all fatalities also drowned less than 2 metres from safety.
Boating-related deaths account for one third of all drownings every year, a majority being those in powerboats. Nearly half of all boating deaths occurred after the boat capsized or was swamped. Of boaters who drowned, 68% were not wearing lifejackets, 16% were impaired and almost half were in water conditions that were too difficult to handle.
Solutions:
Take precautions.
Throw Something that Floats -React quickly by throwing a lifejacket, cooler or anything that floats. Aim for the victim's hands. Throwing is the safest and best method to use first.
Use a Long Object to Reach Out - Try reaching out to someone in trouble, with a pole or a branch, while keeping yourself low (kneeling or lying down). Pull the victim to safety.
Boaters: Follow This Simple 3 Step Plan
Wear the gear and look like a boater. Even good swimmers wear their lifejackets. Your life is worth the jacket.
Don't Drink and Boat. Drinking alcohol before or during boating can spoil the rest of your day. Driving on water is not the same as driving on land; water, glare and waves create a much more difficult "roadway" and alcohol only amplifies the problem. Responsible boaters know when and where to drink.
Only boat in waters that you can handle and check the weather report before you launch. Mother Nature can often surprise even the most seasoned boater. When weather turns bad, head for shore.
By the Lifesaving Society, BC& Yukon branch, http://www.lifesaving.bc.ca
posted by Lu Hill at 11:38 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home