ANYONE IS VULNERABLE TO DROWNING
• There is no way to positively keep from drowning when you are on the
water
• Men have a higher drowning rate the females
WHERE DOWNING’S OCCOUR
• More then half of infant drowning occur in bathtubs
• Since 1948, more then 327 infants have drowned in a bucket containing
water or other cleaning chemicals
SOME RULES TO FOLLOW
• Never swim alone
• Always have an adult watching over
• Don’t dive into shallow water
• No glass by the pool
• No running
WHY THERE ARE RULES
• To keep people safe
• To help lifeguards keep order
Not adhering to the rules can put you and your friends in danger.
A major problem people have is not knowing when there are tired. People need to learn the limitations.
Any adult that is watching over the water needs to know what to do if an emergency occurs.
*Other safety issues (sunburn, heatstroke, injuries etc.)
Notes: I will have a note card with me with the facts and I will highlight
the key rules to follow. I think I will put the video clips after my section
is done so they can see while I explain.
A) If YOU are in TROUBLE
• STAY CALM & BREATHE
• YELL FOR HELP
• WAVE YOUR HAND
• TILT YOUR HEAD BACK TO KEEP FACE ABOVE WATER
Remember the DANGEROUS TOO’S-
• TOO TIRED
• TOO COLD
• TOO FAR FROM SAFETY
• TOO MUCH SUN
• TOO MUCH STRENUOUS ACTIVITY
B) If SOMEONE ELSE is in TROUBLE
• DO NOT go in after them-NEVER make 1 victim into 2
• CALL FOR HELP to a LIFEGUARD or 9-1-1
“REACH – THROW – ROW – GO”
• Reach out with your hand, long stick, paddle, towel, or anything
the victim can grab onto. Stay low so you cannot be pulled in.
• Throw something that floats out to the victim if you cannot reach
them. A life jacket, an inner tube, a plastic gallon milk jug, even a spare
tire from your car will float.
If you can, tie a rope to the floating device & direct your throw beyond
the victim in an underhand toss to avoid hitting them.
• Row or paddle out to the victim if there is a boat available and you
cannot reach or throw anything to them. DO NOT let the victim grab onto the
side of the boat- it could tip. Have them grab onto the back of the boat &
DO NOT attempt to get them into the boat. Paddle them back to shore.
• Going out to swim rescue a victim is a LAST RESORT and should only
be done if YOU HAVE HAD LIFESAVING TRAINING. Drowning and injured victims
panic and will quickly make 1 victim into 2!
Don’t panic and use FIRST AID and CPR if you’re trained.
Notes: I will have more specific notes and details on my note cards during
the speech.
I will have visual demonstrations of the “REACH, THROW, ROW, GO”
saying. 20-30 second demonstrations after the outline speech is given.
(Mostly dealing with lakes, rivers, and apt. pool swimming since lifeguards
are present at public places.)
