> From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com> > On Thu, 17 Aug 2000, Seng, Dave wrote: > > > Unless you're a trained lifeguard and a very good swimmer, you > > do not ever want to make personal contact with a panicked or struggling > > swimmer (even if you are you won't want to!). > > This was my thought immediately, especially multiple panicked swimmers. Yup. Same thoughts. Folks here have described rescuing *one.* Two at once (where you didn't have time to take one to shore and go back to retrieve the other) could be a very different outcome. You might have to realize that you can only help one (which is probably what the others here mean). My point in my earlier post is that I really had no idea how easy it is for another (even a dog) to push me under water where the only way up is to dive further under water and swim. Also, has anyone ever managed to calm down a panicking (I mean seriously panicking) swimmer? I was told by an instructor once that life-guards will often wait until a panicky swimmer has passed out before risking going in the water with them. Regarding the rescues mentioned here that went well, I'm assuming they were rescues of people that were familiar with being in the water and were swimmers (I don't know any kayakers that can't swim but I suppose there could be some out there... shudder). My guess is that it would be a whole different ball game to come to the aid of a panicking non-swimmer. I, too, wouldn't be beyond whacking them on the head with my paddle, Steve, :-) but is it realistic to think it would be effective if the person in the water were a panicky non-swimmer and much stronger than me? Anyone have experience with a drowning, panicky non-swimmer? Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Aug 17 2000 - 14:35:57 PDT
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