It's not just interesting, it is something that I am fiercely passionate about, and I will gladly preach this every day.
Today we are going to learn about Self Water Rescue, and Drowning Prevention.
Step number 1: Wearing a Personal Floatation Device aka a life jacket. There are 5 different types of PFD's and each one has a specific job. Always wear a PFD around cold water, when you are in a small craft, if you are a weak swimmer, or a child. Ensure that your PFD fits properly and is Coast Guard approved. Remember it is not a substitution for adult supervision.
Type 1: The standard PFD that you find on ferries and the like. They are designed to flip an unconscious person face up and fit a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Type 2: Recommended for children. The pillow like float in the back keeps children's faces out of water and are also designed to flip wearers onto their back. They are also more secure than types 1 and 3.
Type 3: Most often used for water sports like water skiing, wake boarding, canoeing and kayaking.
Type 4: Is a little weird, but when they originally numbered PFD's number 5 didn't exist. Type 4 is a ring buoy, or for instance the seat in an airplane. Something to hold onto to keep you afloat.
Type 5: This is the type you will see fishermen wearing. There are different variations, but each has a job specific purpose. Most are inflatable either at the tug of a cord.
Ok, so now you have the proper PFD, but you are still in water with no immediate means of getting out. What do you do?
If you flipped your boat, and cannot quickly swim to safety, climb up on it out of the water.
If you don't have something to climb onto use the HELP or Huddle positions. HELP stands for Heat Escape Lessening Posture.
If you are in a small group your Huddle will look like this:
If you go into the water without a PFD, KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON! Hypothermia is a huge threat to people who fall into water unexpectedly.
If the water is really warm you can use a Survival Float.
If it is colder you can use a Tuck Float.
And last, but certainly not least, unless you are trained in water rescues remember: Reach or Throw, Don't Go. You should never endanger yourself to rescue someone. The chances of you become a victim along with the person you are trying to rescue is very high. When people are drowning instinct takes over and they will use anything to get themselves out of the water, including climbing on top of you and holding you under water. You can do this a few ways.
The key to the reaching assist is to stay low, lay down and reach an arm, a leg or an object out to the person you are trying to reach. Remember to talk to them so they know you are trying to help.
The throwing assist uses the previously mentioned ring buoys or anything that floats and a person can grab onto. Make sure you stand on the tail end of the line if you are using a ring buoy so you can pull the person to safety.
And there you go. :) I hope you feel more informed.
