3 too discreet (and to recognize) signs in a person who is drowning

We can never say it enough: with 1336 drownings recorded last year in France (361 of which were unfortunately fatal), swimming, whether in a pool, lake or sea, requires great vigilance, especially from parents. But contrary to what you might think, a person about to drown rarely raises their arms in the air asking for help as we can see in the movies. In real life, the signs are much more subtle, as Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for theAmerican Lifeguard Association in SELF media. What does a drowning person look like? Here are 3 signs you shouldn’t miss.

She is unable to call for help

Emergency doctors will tell you: drowning is usually silent. First of all, because fear grips the victim. But also because of a physical phenomenon: when a person inhales water, it can cause what is called laryngospasm, which is essentially an involuntary closing of the throat. “It’s a bit like when you drink something and it gets into your airways and you start coughing.” explains Wyatt Werneth.Your voicemail starts to spasm and it locks up.”

Because it blocks the airway, laryngospasm can also cause the person to lose consciousness and the situation worsens from there. “What will happen over a period of three to five minutes is the voice box will relax,” explains Werneth. “And then once it’s open, the water starts to flow in, and that’s when the victim will start to sink.” A person who seems to be in trouble but does not call you should therefore worry you even more.

Its head is low and its mouth is at water level.

“When a person is drowning, their head is usually lower in the water than expected and tilted back as they try to breathe,” explains Werneth. Eyes may appear glazed or closed, and a telltale sign is that their hair may hang limply over their forehead or eyes, or even cover their face entirely because they are unable to brush it away. The person appears to be hyperventilating or gasping for air as their head bobs up and down at the waterline.

It looks like she’s climbing an invisible ladder.

A drowning person may feel as if they are trying to roll onto their back or make arm movements as if they are on an invisible ladder, as if they are literally trying to climb to the top of the surface.. “This is often accompanied by little or no movement of the legs, even though the person is frantically trying to keep their face above water.”, explains Werneth.

What to do if you see someone drowning?

Are you facing a drowning person? Unless you are trained to do so or have the right equipment, you should exercise caution if you try to help.

• In a swimming pool, obviously, help the person or child in difficulty by getting them out of the water. And call for help;
• In a lake or at sea, the situation is more complex: if the person is nearby, try to hold out your hand or throw them a flotation device;
• If the person is at sea and you are on the beach, immediately alert the emergency services. This may be the nearby lifeguards or by dialing 18 or 112 on your phone. Keep your eyes on the victim to guide the emergency services when they arrive, but don’t play the hero, to avoid a second victim. Getting a person out of the water requires great physical condition;
• If, and only if, you have the proper training and have been able to get the person out of the water, tilt their head back, lift their chin and see if they are breathing. You can turn them on their side to expel the water and if they are not breathing, begin chest compressions until help arrives.

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