How to Help a Tired Swimmer

Many people think of drowning as a time when someone flails wildly, splashing and waving their hands as they scream for help. However, in real life, drowning is subtle and may be impossible to detect if you are not trained. If you notice a tired swimmer, make sure he or she isn't drowning before walking by and moving on with your day. Though it is safe to swim out to someone to bring them back to shore, you should not attempt CPR unless you are trained.

Instructions

    • 1

      Signal to the swimmer to get his attention. You may want to wave your arms as if saying hello. Call out the swimmer's name if you know it or ask "Are you okay?" If the swimmer responds that he is fine and does not need help, leave him be.

    • 2

      Watch the swimmer to look for signs of drowning. Possible symptoms of drowning include floating in the water face down, splashing, flailing limbs or a person's mouth and nose sinking and emerging from the water. In most cases, drowning is very subtle and a drowning person may not be able to call for help.

    • 3

      Signal a lifeguard, if possible. Wave your arms if you are out in the water. You may wish to yell "Help" or run to the lifeguard and point out the tired swimmer.

    • 4

      Throw the swimmer a life saver or buoy, if possible. If the swimmer grabs a life saver, pull him or her back to shore by pulling the rope toward you.

    • 5

      Get in the water and swim to the tired swimmer. Swim him back to shore, if he is too tired to swim any longer. Grasp his arm and slide it around your neck to hoist his mouth and nose out of the water. Swim or walk back to dry land.