> -----Original Message----- > From: Jackie Fenton [mailto:jackie_at_intelenet.net] > Anyone have experience with a drowning, panicky non-swimmer? > Yep. Had to rescue a guy who was a lot bigger than me - he wasn't close to drowning yet (but thought he was!) and I screwed up and let him get close and he latched on to me tight. At that point you have to use your skill and ability in the water to counteract their strength. We spent a bit of time under water - when we came up he was more concerned about breathing than he was about hanging on to me. I had an instructor once who said that it was perfectly fine to punch a struggling victim - said it tended to get their attention real quickly. In life and death situations social niceties really just don't play. Stuff like this is WAY beyond the scope of this discussion. You cannot learn this stuff or gain the capability by reading about it. Rescues in the water can be dangerous. If you don't _know_ what you're doing out there then as difficult and awful as it sounds don't try to help. Go get help!!! I can't over emphasize this - you don't get any points for trying and failing. It's a one point game. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** 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 - 15:18:12 PDT
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