AY Honors/First aid/Non-swimming rescue

Unless you have been trained to properly do so, never swim to the assistance of a person who is drowning. A drowning person is typically in a panic, and will grab onto anyone or anything he can reach in an effort to save himself. If he grabs an untrained rescuer, the chances are very good that he will pull him under and both the original victim and the rescuer will drown.

Instead, do one of the following:

• Use a boat to reach the victim.
• Throw life ring, life jacket, or some other floatation device to the victim.
• Extend an item such as a rope, pole, oar, or paddle to the victim, and once the victim grabs it, tow him in.