Approach the person with caution, staying 3m away from them, so that they don't pull you under.
If they are Conscious:
Calm them down so they don't try and pull you under. Explain what you are going to do, and that is tow them back. make sure that you keep the victims head above water when towing them back. Once you reach a bank or somewhere out of the water, pull them out by holding both their hands but cross your arms over so that when you pull them out they turn and come out sitting on there backside.
If they are unconscious:
When you approach them you must suspect it is a spinal injury. if their face is down in the water, place your hand on the chin in pistol grip making sure your arm is straight down their front, place your other arm on their back making sure it is straight and supporting the spine. once you are in this position swim under (staying in this position) and rotate them around so their head is above water. swim to the closest side and hold them in straight across your arms. carefully lift them limiting spinal movement as much as you can. Check for breathing (look to see if the persons chest is moving, place your ear next to the persons mouth and nose), if they aren't then put them into recovery position so that any water in the lungs can come out more easily.
Get Help
Notify a lifeguard, if one is close. If not, ask someone to call 911.
Repeat if Person Is Still Not Breathing
If they are Conscious:
Calm them down so they don't try and pull you under. Explain what you are going to do, and that is tow them back. make sure that you keep the victims head above water when towing them back. Once you reach a bank or somewhere out of the water, pull them out by holding both their hands but cross your arms over so that when you pull them out they turn and come out sitting on there backside.
If they are unconscious:
When you approach them you must suspect it is a spinal injury. if their face is down in the water, place your hand on the chin in pistol grip making sure your arm is straight down their front, place your other arm on their back making sure it is straight and supporting the spine. once you are in this position swim under (staying in this position) and rotate them around so their head is above water. swim to the closest side and hold them in straight across your arms. carefully lift them limiting spinal movement as much as you can. Check for breathing (look to see if the persons chest is moving, place your ear next to the persons mouth and nose), if they aren't then put them into recovery position so that any water in the lungs can come out more easily.
Get Help
Notify a lifeguard, if one is close. If not, ask someone to call 911.
- If There is No Pulse, Start CPRCarefully place person on back.For an adult or child, place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest at the nipple line. You can also push with one hand on top of the other. For an infant, place two fingers on the breastbone.
- For an adult or child, press down about 2 inches. Make sure not to press on ribs. For an infant, press down about 1 and 1/2 inches. Make sure not to press on the end of the breastbone.
- Do 30 chest compressions, at the rate of 100 per minute or more. Let the chest rise completely between pushes.
- Check to see if the person has started breathing.
Repeat if Person Is Still Not Breathing
- If you've been trained in CPR, you can now open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
- Pinch the nose of the victim closed. Take a normal breath, cover the victim's mouth with yours to create an airtight seal, and then give 2 one-second breaths as you watch for the chest to rise.
- Give 2 breaths followed by 30 chest compressions.
- Continue this cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the person starts breathing or emergency help arrives.