ACT FAST IN EMERGENCIES

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c

C3 - Sunday, July 8, 1984 - North Shore News

5

Recognize drowning symptoms

ANNUAL drowning
Statistics in Canada indicate
that less than half of the
1,300 victims ever intended to
go into the water, according
to the Royal Life Saving
Society Canada (RLSSC).

Quick response is needed
especially if the victim is a
non-swimmer or
unconscious.

There are three things a
bystander must do if he is to
assist in an emergency accor-
ding to the society.

First, he must recognize

that something is happening,
that there is a problem. Se-
cond, he must interpret the
event aS an emergency
needing action, and third, the
bystander must feel a res-
ponsibility to intervene and
become part of the solution
to the problem.

Rescuers sometimes
hesitate to act because they
are not sure that the victim is
in danger of drowning says
Ed Bean, RLSSC National
Technical Director.

He says, ‘‘Most people’s

view of what a drowning per-
son looks like is distorted by
movies or cartoon stereo-
types which would have us
believe that drowning victims
splash like crazy, wave their
arms a lot and always call for
help.’’

Not true, according to the
society’s experience. The
RLSSC identifies different
types of victims in its life sav-
ing training programs.

The poor or weak swimmer
has some swimming. skills

and may use his arms and

NEWS photo ‘Stuer Davia

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Max keeps the same hours as most humans, sleeping at night, and he searches for warm
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down
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legs for support. He is usual-
ly at an angle to the surface
and can get attention by wav-
ing an arm or a_éhand.
Because he usually manages
to keep his mouth clear of the
water, he may call for help.

Varying degrees of anxiety
are evident in the victim’s
facial expression. In open
water, the poor or ‘weak
swimmer will often turn
towards shore or the nearest
source of help.

The characteristics of the
non-swimmer are different.

This victim has one over-
riding concern — to maintain
his supply of air. He is likely
to be vertical in the water and
arm movements will be
vigorous but ineffectual.

The hands do not come
very far above the surface.
Non-swimmers rarely call for
help or wave because they
cannot support themselves
well enough or long enougit
to do so.

Experienced lifeguards
report that the key charac-
teristic of the non-swimmer

s

in trouble is a look of panic
with eyes wide open.

Recognition of various vic-
tim types is taught as a part
of all RLSSC life saving
courses offered at aquatic
facilities throughout the
country.

wo

4

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926-5616