The reasons for the death of a person on water or ice can be different: inability to swim, violation of the rules of behavior on the water, swimming while drunk, fear, fright, etc. A person suppressed by fear is unable to soberly assess the situation; he makes meaningless movements, quickly weakens and drowns. In order to provide assistance to a drowning person, it is necessary to swim and dive well, to know and correctly apply the techniques of rescue, release from grips and towing the victim. When rescuing a person on the water, you need to act thoughtfully, carefully, soberly assessing the current situation, and not get lost in case of danger. The distance to the drowning person, the speed of the current, the presence of life-saving equipment, the roughness of the water, etc. should be correctly taken into account.
When rescuing a victim using watercraft you need to get as close to it as possible. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the water is agitated. caused by the watercraft itself, can worsen the victim’s situation and accelerate his drowning. When approaching a drowning person, you must be careful not to hit him with the propeller, oars or hull of the craft. To support the victim in the water and extract him from it, special rescue equipment is used (circles, ends, rope balls, etc.), as well as improvised means (poles, ladders, nets, etc.).
For giving lifebuoy you need to grab it with one hand, grab the rail with your other hand, make two or three circular swings with your outstretched arm at shoulder level and throw the circle flat towards the victim so that it falls to the right or left of the person at a distance of no more than 0.5-2 ,0 m. The circle is supplied from the boat from the side of the boat, which is closer to the drowning person. From a boat, to avoid capsizing, it is best to move the circle towards the stern or bow. Throwing a circle directly at a drowning person is not recommended, as it can hit the person on the head or fly over him. Sometimes the end of Alexandrov is tied to the lifebuoy, with the help of which the victim is pulled to the watercraft. To give Alexandrov's end to the person in distress, the rescuer puts a small loop of the end on the wrist of his left hand and holds it in it. most turns. Taking right hand three or four turns with a large loop, he makes several wide swings and throws the cord to the drowning man in such a way that he can grab onto the floats or the cord. The victim must be pulled to the shore (watercraft) carefully, without jerking. Alexandrov's end can be thrown up to 25 m.
Supply of rescue balloons is done as follows. With one hand they take the rescue balls, and with the other - the rope holding them together. Then you need to make two or three circular swings and, with an outstretched arm, throw the balls in the direction of the victim so that they fall to the right or left of him. If necessary, an Alexandrov end is attached to the balls, with the help of which the victim is pulled to the shore (watercraft).
If it's not far from the shore, then the victim does not have to be pulled into the boat: he can be towed, if his condition allows, by holding on to the stern or a rope tied to the craft. If the victim is not able to hold on to the stern on his own, then he is pulled into the boat through the body of the rescuer, who sat on the stern and dangled his legs into the water. This technique avoids damage skin the victim hits the uneven edges of the boat. Lifting a victim into a craft with high sides can be carried out along a ladder, ladder, or using a rope or net.
If it is not possible to use a watercraft, the rescuer approaches the drowning person swim. It is better to swim crawl, as this style of swimming allows you to develop the greatest speed. When in the water, the rescuer must be able to withstand the dangerous factors characteristic of bodies of water. Convulsions are especially dangerous for the rescuer and the victim. caused by cooling the body or muscle fatigue. When your hands have cramps, you need to sharply clench your fingers into fists and unclench them. If one hand is cramped. then you should lie on your side and work with your other hand under water. In case of abdominal muscle cramps, it is necessary, lying on your back, to vigorously pull your knees towards your stomach. If your calf muscle is cramped, you should stretch your leg above the surface of the water and vigorously pull your foot towards you with your hands. In case of thigh muscle cramps, you need to sharply bend your leg at the knee and firmly squeeze your heel with your hands. Algae also pose a danger: if you get entangled in them, you can choke. Having caught on them, it is necessary, without making sudden movements, to try to free yourself with your free hand and carefully leave the dangerous place. Once in a whirlpool, the rescuer must, taking a quick and deep breath, plunge into the water, make a jerk to the side (with the flow) and float to the surface. Once on a wave, you need to make sure that you inhale during the interval between the shocks of the waves. When swimming against a wave, you need to calmly rise and hide under it. When there is a big wave, you need to take a deep breath and dive under it.
To the victim you should always swim up from behind. If this is impossible, then you need to dive under the drowning man, grab his knee with your left hand right leg. and with the palm of your right hand, strongly push the left knee in front and turn the victim with his back to you. This technique is used in cases where the victim makes erratic movements or resists the rescuer. Once behind the victim, the rescuer passes his right hand under the armpit of his right arm and, firmly grasping his arm and shoulder, floats to the surface with him.
Techniques for towing a victim are divided into two groups: without securing the hands, when the victim calmly obeys the rescuer, and with securing the hands - in case of resistance from the drowning person.
When towing by the head The rescuer, with his arms outstretched, takes the victim's head so that the thumbs rest on the cheeks and the little fingers under the victim's lower jaw. Lifting his face above the surface of the water. floating on his back and using his legs, the rescuer transports the drowning person to a boat, dinghy or shore.
When towing with armpit grip The rescuer firmly grabs the victim under the armpits and tows him with his legs.
When towing with arm grip The rescuer, approaching from behind, puts his left (right) hand under the corresponding arm of the victim. Then he takes his left (right) hand above the elbow joint, presses the person back to himself and tows him on his side to a safe place. Swimming on your side, when one arm and legs are free, allows the rescuer to navigate, choose the direction when transporting the victim and tow him over long distances.
When towing with grip above the elbows The rescuer grabs both arms of the drowning person by the elbows, pulls them back, then puts his left (right) hand in front under the armpit and passes it behind the person’s back. Then with his left (right) hand he grabs the right (left) arm of the drowning person above the elbow and firmly presses the person with his back to himself.
When towing with hair grab or collar rescuer, grasping the hair or collar of the drowning person's clothes with his hand, swims on his side, working with his free arm and legs. A person must be towed with a straight arm, supporting his head above the surface of the water so that water does not enter the respiratory tract.
A drowning person is usually in a state of semi-shock, frightened, and overwhelmed with fear. Therefore, when he sees the rescuer, he frantically grabs him, which threatens the death of both. To free oneself from the victim’s grip, the rescuer must make great efforts, and sometimes use force. Most often, a drowning person grabs a rescuer by the hands, neck (front and back), torso (through the arms and under the arms), and legs. In this case, the rescuer must dive underwater. If diving does not help, then you need to use one of the following methods of freeing the victim from the grips.
Release from gripping the hands. The rescuer first of all determines how the drowning person’s thumbs are positioned. Then, with a strong jerk towards the thumbs, he spreads his arms. At the same time, pulling his legs to his stomach and resting them on the person’s chest, he pushes off from him, and then with a sharp movement turns the victim around with his back and tows him away.
Releasing a grip from the front of the neck. The rescuer, resting his palm on the victim’s chin with his large and index fingers, tries to cover his nose, and at the same time grabs the drowning man by the lower back with his other hand. Then, pressing his fingers on the nose, he strongly presses the person to himself and sharply pushes him on the chin, bending him at the waist. Release can also be enhanced by striking the victim with a knee to the lower abdomen, but this technique is only permissible in extreme cases.
Releasing a neck grab from behind. The rescuer grabs the victim by the opposite hand with one hand, and supports the elbow with the other. Then, sharply raising his elbow up and turning his hand down, he slips out from under the hands of the drowning man, but does not let go of the captured hand, but continues to turn the man back to himself and tows him. Release from gripping the body through the hands. The rescuer, clenching his hands into fists, strikes with his thumbs in the area of the drowning man's ribs and begins towing.
Release from gripping the body by the arms. The rescuer frees himself from the grip of the drowning person using the same technique as when grabbing the neck from behind.
Freeing yourself from being grabbed by the legs. The rescuer grabs the drowning person's head in the temple area with one hand, and the chin with the other (on the opposite side) and vigorously turns it to the side and to the side until he is free. Then, without letting go of the drowning man’s head, he floats to the surface with him and begins towing him. If the technique of releasing a drowning person from the grip did not give a positive result, then, without wasting time, it should be repeated.
If the victim has drowned, he must be lifted from the bottom of the reservoir. If the victim lies face up on the ground, the rescuer approaches him from the side of his head and lifts it. Then, taking the victim under the armpits, the rescuer energetically pushes off from the bottom, floats to the surface of the water and tows him. If a person is lying face down on the ground, then the rescuer approaches him from the side of his legs, picks him up under the armpits and, lifting him up, energetically pushes off from the bottom. It is more convenient to carry the victim out of the water with emphasis on the shoulders or hips. Having reached a safe place, the rescuer immediately begins providing first aid.
Sometimes there may be in the water several victims. This happens during accidents on water transport, destruction of berthing structures, bridges and in some other cases. In such conditions, saving people requires a strict, realistic assessment of the situation. First of all, it is necessary to provide boards, logs, poles, life preservers to those holding on to the water, then help people located near the shore. Those who cannot stay on the water are rescued by swimming. When rescuing by swimming, the rescuer can assist only one person.
IN winter time on reservoirs it is possible for a person to get caught in the wormwood. When providing assistance to the victim in this case, you should not approach the ice hole while standing, as there is a danger of falling through the ice. You should crawl to the victim on your stomach, then, depending on the situation, give the person a gaff, ladder, rope, board, belt or scarf at the break site. If there are no devices to provide assistance, then two or three people lie down on the ice in a chain, holding each other by the legs, move towards the victim to help him get out of the break onto the ice and cross to the shore. To assist those who have fallen through the ice, special rescue equipment is also used: boards, poles, sleds, boats, etc.
Inattention during stormy weather can cause man falling overboard watercraft. “The manual for combating the survivability of ships of the Russian Ministry of Maritime Fleet” provides for a special ship signal “man overboard” - three long sounds (a loud chime or a whistle). Rescue of a person overboard is usually carried out by the crew of the craft. When this situation occurs, the following actions are taken:
- life-saving equipment is thrown to the victim;
- painted objects (inflatable pillows, plastic bottles etc.) to mark the area where a person is located on the water;
- the ship maneuvers to help the victim.
The need to maneuver the vessel is associated with the impossibility of stopping it abruptly. The braking distance of an ordinary passenger ship is at least a mile (1852 m), and on large-tonnage ships - up to 4000 m. The maneuver is carried out in such a way as to approach the victim to a distance at which he can be helped. The larger the tonnage and size of the vessel, the more difficult it is to maneuver. In some cases, it is possible to get to the victim faster using the legal means on board the vessel (boats, boats, rafts). It is possible to involve deck-based or coastal aviation helicopters in providing assistance to the victim. On small boats, the victim is lifted on board from the windward side, since if this is done from the leeward side, the boat may capsize. On large yachts, lifting is done from the leeward side.
Bringing a casualty on board is often difficult and it is therefore important to use anything that can make this operation easier. Sometimes it is necessary for a rescuer to jump into the water with a life jacket attached to a rope to help the victim secure a rope with a loop around his body and, if necessary, immediately carry out artificial respiration“mouth to mouth” method.
RPS using a helicopter
Introduction
Today, not a single rescue service can do without the use of a helicopter, especially when carrying out RPS in areas located at great distances from populated areas, where there are no roads, as well as in areas with difficult terrain conditions. Conducting RPS, especially in the mountains, is a difficult task. High altitude above sea level, narrow valleys surrounded by steep slopes and high peaks, strong air currents due to uneven heating of mountain slopes, sudden changes in wind direction, decreased visibility due to fog, snowfall, cloudiness and many other unforeseen factors create great difficulties not only for landing or hovering a helicopter over the scene of the incident, but sometimes for the flight in general.
The decision to use a helicopter is accepted by the head of the PSS, search and rescue squad (SRT), coordinating all his further actions with the leadership of the air squad and the helicopter commander. However, the departure of a helicopter is not always, unfortunately, a guarantee of its effective use. When approaching the scene of the incident, weather conditions may change so much that the helicopter commander will be forced to make a decision to return to the airport. Therefore, when planning a rescue operation, in addition to using a helicopter, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of connecting ground (surface) rescue teams to it. During RPS carried out using a helicopter, interaction must be achieved between the helicopter crew members and the SAR members located both on board the helicopter and on the ground (water). The use of helicopters by rescue services provides:
- rapid delivery of PSO members, equipment, equipment necessary for their work, to the emergency site;
- delivery of victims to the nearest medical facility;
- additional delivery of all necessary cargo to the area where the RPS is being carried out, especially when the area is isolated from transport and energy arteries and populated areas;
- transfer of PSO members from one search area to another;
- search flights along the route or survey of the disaster area;
- artificial release of avalanches during R&D in the mountains;
- lifting or removing victims from hard to reach places. The use of a helicopter in RPS can significantly reduce the time it takes to conduct them, reduce the number of forces and resources involved, and dramatically increase the chances of rescuing victims. Before deciding to use a helicopter, you should fully consider all the pros and cons. By analyzing the received primary information, it is necessary to determine what opportunities are available for transporting victims by other means. It is likely that under the current conditions (bad weather conditions, lack of landing sites, late time for receiving information, etc.) it is more expedient to transport victims by land (water).
When assessing the current situation, it is necessary, first of all, to pay attention to attention to the following circumstances:
- the health status of the victims, the need for emergency medical care;
- remoteness of the scene of the incident from the nearest populated area. where there is a medical facility;
- the ability to provide immediate assistance on the ground;
- approximate weather conditions at the scene of the incident and along the flight route;
- the ability to provide assistance without the use of a helicopter.
Weather conditions when conducting RPS using a helicopter, they must meet the following requirements:
- Cloudiness- height above the landing site: - not lower than 350 m in areas with an absolute altitude of up to 2000 m and not lower than 600 m in areas with an absolute altitude of over 2000 m;
- Visibility- horizontally at the height of the landing site: - at least 5 km at an absolute altitude of up to 2000 m and at least 10 km at an absolute altitude over 2000 m;
- Wind- no more than 5 m/s in narrow gorges, in basins and no more than 15 m/s on open passes, saddles, ridges and plateaus.
Cloudy weather or shady areas of the slope are the most unfavorable for landing, since in these conditions it is more difficult for a helicopter pilot to determine the distance to the landing site and the slope of the terrain.
The helicopter flies at wind strengths of up to 15 m/s, hovers and lands at wind forces of 12 m/s. The most favorable wind force for flights is 5-6 m/s. Calm air is just as undesirable for flying, hovering and landing as strong wind. Variable wind is dangerous when hovering and landing, especially when these actions need to be performed near rocks, precipices, and gentle slopes. It is also necessary to keep in mind that hovering over forests and dense bushes is a very difficult and dangerous operation, since tree branches and bushes scatter the air stream.
Favorable conditions to perform a hover or landing are also the following:
- the direction of the wind coincides with the open approaches;
- approaches give a normal glide path for a helicopter when descending or climbing;
- is located under a hovering helicopter horizontal section terrain.
Rescue services mainly use Mi-8 helicopters various modifications, approved for use in transport and passenger versions. The passenger version of the Mi-8, depending on the features of the cabin, is capable of carrying 9-11 or 28-32 passengers. The transport version of the Mi-8 has a large cargo hatch, a reinforced floor, cargo mooring units, ladders and folding seats for 24 people. The Mi-8 helicopters of the rescue service are equipped with an external suspension system with a lifting capacity of 3000 kg and a winch with a side boom that allows you to hoist loads weighing up to 150 kg in hovering mode. The maximum weight of cargo transported in the helicopter cabin is 4000 kg. The flight range with 28 passengers on board is 500 km. The maximum flight altitude is 6000 m. The helicopter is allowed to land on flat, hilly and mountainous terrain with takeoffs and landings at heliports and sites located at altitudes up to 4500 m. For the transportation of cargo weighing up to 4000 kg it is used Mi-17 helicopter. It is equipped with an external cable suspension, allowing it to be transported large cargo weighing up to 3000 kg, and a side boom with an electric winch. On board the helicopter, in addition to folding seats for 24 people, there are units for installing 12 stretchers. The helicopter's flight range at maximum load is 550 km. Helicopter KA-32T designed for transporting cargo weighing up to 3700 kg inside the cabin and up to 5000 kg on an external sling. The rescue lifting device has a maximum lifting capacity of 300 kg. The helicopter has a service ceiling of 6000 m.
Mi-26 helicopter Designed for lifting and transporting large loads weighing up to 20,000 kg.
Mi-2 helicopter can be used to conduct RPS when eliminating the consequences of local emergencies. The flight range of a helicopter with 8 passengers on board is 160 km.
In case of major emergencies, it is possible to involve military transport helicopters, for example, Mi-14 capable of landing on the surface of the water. On transport version helicopters, it is allowed to transport equipment, cargo and service passengers, that is, rescuers and rescued people, in the cargo compartment.
After a helicopter lands, you can approach it, as a rule, only when the engines are turned off and the propeller stops.
It should be remembered that even after landing, the helicopter commander (pilot) can change the position of the helicopter for a variety of reasons, for example, take off.
After landing the head of the RPS coordinates further actions with the helicopter commander. All rescuers, especially field workers, must be warned in advance not to touch the helicopter fuselage with their hands until the grounding cable touches the surface of the ground. If, after landing on a temporary landing site, the helicopter engine is not turned off, then rescuers approach the helicopter, exit from it, load or unload the victim, equipment, approach or move away from the helicopter only from the front sector so as not to get under the tail rotor, located on the right side of the machine. It should be remembered that the tips of the main rotor blades sink lower to the ground the slower they rotate. It is necessary to move around the helicopter only in the desired or permitted zones and never in the dangerous ones. Movement in dangerous or most dangerous areas can end tragically.
The stretcher with the victim, as well as various equipment, should be carried as low as possible and parallel to the surface of the ground. Ropes must be rolled up to prevent their ends from getting wrapped around the propeller blades; light items of equipment must be carefully packed and placed in backpacks or other containers. You should not forget about the rules for carrying skis, ski poles, probes, empty stretchers - they are carried only in a horizontal position. Otherwise, protruding parts of the equipment may fall between the rotor blades, which is dangerous not only for humans, but also for the helicopter. If the main rotor blades rotate, you must not move away from the helicopter in the direction where the terrain is located higher than the helicopter’s landing site, as this threatens to get into the radius of rotation of the blades, which in turn can end tragically. After landing, rescuers exit the helicopter only at the direction of the flight mechanic. All actions of rescuers on the landing site are supervised by the head of the rescue team or a person specially appointed by him. Rescuers working near a helicopter must wear protective helmets, always fastened under the chin, and safety glasses, which will protect their eyes from dust, snow and objects raised from the surface of the earth by the air stream created by the rotating propeller blades.
During takeoff or landing, rescuers must remain at a safe distance from the landing site, including when starting the helicopter engine. All light objects (ski caps, mittens, cords, dishes, etc.) within a radius of 50 m must be secured different ways to prevent them from getting into the helicopter's propellers or turbines. In addition, the air flow created by the rotation of the propeller can throw light objects down from the landing site if the operation takes place in the mountains.
Directly in the helicopter all equipment is stowed in those places in the cabin that are indicated by the flight mechanic and, if necessary, is insured. Rescuers are placed on seats and secured with special belts available in the helicopter.
During flight, landing, or hovering, unauthorized movement in the cockpit is prohibited, as this may upset the balance of the helicopter, especially when lifting or lowering a victim and equipment.
It is also prohibited to be located near open door without using a lanyard when the helicopter is in the air, as well as smoking in the helicopter cabin or near it while parked.
Water, like fire, can bring people not only pleasure, but also many problems. This is especially true for those who swim poorly or cannot swim at all. But there are also cases when good swimmers are injured or even killed. This happens due to their disregard for the rules of behavior on the water, especially if this happens in an unfamiliar body of water. Accidents on the water are most often caused by fear and/or fright. Basically, a person gets scared when his muscles cramp in the water. At the same time, his breathing becomes upset for a short time, coordination of movements is impaired, and a spasm reduces the glottis. These few minutes are enough for a person to choke and drown.
How to overcome cramps when swimming.
It’s no secret that convulsions themselves cannot drown a person, so those who are familiar with the peculiarities of behavior on the water have a different reaction to convulsions. In order not to choke, it is necessary not only to know the theory of helping with seizures, but also to skillfully counteract them.
If, for example, your leg cramps while swimming (and this happens, by the way, most often), grab the toes of that foot with your hand, pull them strongly towards you and hold them in this state until the cramp subsides (even if it hurts).
Also, if you have a cramp in the water, a vigorous massage will help you.
It is also necessary to remember that cramps, as a rule, go away after a short time (up to 5 minutes) even without outside influence, so it is important not to panic and just stay afloat for this time.
Death on the water and what leads to it.
Panic also leads to serious consequences when a person gets tired after swimming far from the shore. Sometimes people even lose consciousness from fright. There is nothing good in stupid “jokes” when, mostly teenagers, force each other down. Such, so to speak, “entertainment” often ends tragically.
You can drown when, for example, a person has warmed up in the sun and jumps into cold water, or if you sharply tense your muscles or eat too much. That’s why doctors so strongly warn: after eating you should swim no earlier than 2 hours later.
Also, people who are drunk often drown. They lose self-control and cannot quickly navigate, assess the danger and help themselves.
It is also dangerous to dive to significant depths without scuba gear. Lack of oxygen causes loss of consciousness. Those who use faulty underwater equipment or do not know how to use it, and also violate the regime of diving under water and surfacing to the surface are also at great risk.
Injuries on the water.
Improper behavior on the water leads to injuries. Jumping headfirst from boats or bridges or coastal cliffs, you can hit the bottom or a rock. You don't even have to have a broken spine to drown (although that is possible). Remember that loss of consciousness and short-term breathing difficulties are enough to choke on water and drown.
Crossing mountain rivers, even if they are narrow and shallow, as well as descending them requires serious experience, endurance and training.
When rivers and reservoirs freeze, remember that only 5-7 cm of ice thickness guarantees that you will not fall through the ice, and then only if there are no holes, thawed spots or cracks in it. But it is safe to go out on the ice as a group only if the ice thickness is at least 10 centimeters.
How to save a drowning person?
Accidents on water are quite common, so I recommend knowing well how to save a drowning person and how to properly provide first aid. The basic techniques for proper water rescue are shown in the figure below.
As soon as the drowning person is on the shore, do not waste time and begin providing him with first aid. If the injured person is conscious, he must first be calmed and changed into dry clothes. Anyone who, while drowning, swallows water, often vomits and loses consciousness (although the pulse and breathing are clearly visible). In this case, the person should also be changed, rubbed, covered with a warm towel or blanket to warm up, and if he loses consciousness, be sure to give him a sniff ammonia. It is very important to normalize breathing (you can simply open the person’s mouth and rhythmically tug on the tongue) and remove all silt and sand from the mouth as quickly as possible with a clean handkerchief or gauze.
Glottis spasm is one in 10 causes of death on the water. At the same time, not only water, but also air does not enter the human lungs. The skin of such a victim is pale. This person needs artificial respiration as soon as possible, and in case of cardiac arrest, closed cardiac massage. When the respiratory organs fill with water, the skin acquires a bluish-violet color. This is a very important sign for further medical care.
If under water a person not only stops breathing, but his heart also stops, then resuscitation measures will give best result, if carried out no later than 5 minutes later. from the moment of clinical death.
If the victim’s skin has acquired a bluish tint, then, first of all, his stomach and respiratory tract should be cleansed. To do this, bend your leg at the knee and place the victim with his stomach on his thigh so that his head hangs down, and then you need to rhythmically press between the shoulder blades several times.
After such cleaning of the mouth and throat from vomit, mucus, water and silt, the victim must be placed on his back and, tilting his head back, perform artificial respiration and closed heart massage. To do this, after each air injection, the victim is pressed three to four times between the middle and lower third of the sternum.
After resuscitation, the victim must be warmed up as soon as possible, as well as vigorously massage his arms and legs, and rub his body with a dry cloth (preferably wool), then wrap him warmly and cover him with heating pads.
Even though the person has woken up and feels well, it is recommended to immediately send him to the hospital. After all, quite often on the shore, the so-called “repeated drowning” syndrome occurs, which results in chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, and blood appears in the sputum. If this happens, the person will be helped by artificial ventilation and a number of other procedures that can only be carried out in a medical hospital.
The reasons for the death of a person on water or ice can be different: inability to swim, violation of the rules of behavior on the water, swimming while drunk, fear, fright, etc. A person suppressed by fear is unable to soberly assess the situation; he makes meaningless movements, quickly weakens and drowns. In order to provide assistance to a drowning person, it is necessary to swim and dive well, to know and correctly apply the techniques of rescue, release from grips and towing the victim. When rescuing a person on the water, you need to act thoughtfully, carefully, soberly assessing the current situation, and not get lost in case of danger. The distance to the drowning person, the speed of the current, the presence of life-saving equipment, the roughness of the water, etc. should be correctly taken into account.
When rescuing a victim using watercraft you need to get as close to it as possible. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the water is agitated. caused by the watercraft itself, can worsen the victim’s situation and accelerate his drowning. When approaching a drowning person, you must be careful not to hit him with the propeller, oars or hull of the craft. To support the victim in the water and extract him from it, special rescue equipment is used (circles, ends, rope balls, etc.), as well as improvised means (poles, ladders, nets, etc.).
Drowning occurs due to the occlusion of liquid in the respiratory tract, most often water. It is possible to save a drowning person if you provide him with timely and correct first aid. According to statistics, more than 90% of people can be saved in the first minute after drowning. If 6-7 minutes have passed, then only about 1-3% can be saved. Drowning most often occurs due to ignoring water safety rules, fatigue, even among people who are excellent swimmers, for example, during a long swim in cold water, when injured during diving, as well as due to alcohol intoxication, etc.
First aid to save a drowning person
When rescuing a drowning person on the water, it is very important to run to the shore closest to the place where the person is drowning. If you see a drowning person on the surface of the water, then providing first aid to save a drowning person begins with the need to calm him down while still far away. If attempts do not bring success, then you need to swim up to the drowning person from behind (swimming from behind is necessary so that the drowning person does not capture you in a state of stress and pull you under the water). If a drowning person frantically hugs you, then you need to dive into the water with him, and at this time he will let go of the rescuer, wanting to remain on the surface.
If a drowning person sinks to the bottom, then the rescuer needs to dive and swim some distance along the bottom. If visibility under water is sufficient, it is recommended to open your eyes, since in this case rescue actions are more effective. When approaching a drowning person, you need to take him by the hand, by the hair or under the armpits and float to the surface with him. To do this, you need to push off strongly from the bottom and work intensively with your free arm and legs.
First aid for a drowning person on the shore
Having reached the shore, you need to begin providing first aid, which depends on how serious the victim’s condition is. If he is conscious, there is a pulse, breathing is preserved, help in rescuing a drowning person will be limited to the fact that you lay him on a hard, dry surface, while his head should be lowered low. After which the victim needs to take off the wet clothes and rub them with a dry towel or hands. If possible, you need to give him something hot to drink (tea, coffee, adults can be given a small amount of alcohol, literally 1 tablespoon), wrap him in a warm blanket and let him rest.
If the victim is unconscious, while maintaining pulse and breathing, you need to throw back his head and extend his lower jaw. Lay it in the same way as in the previous case, i.e. so that the head is lowered low, after which with a finger (it is better to wrap it in a handkerchief first) you need to free his oral cavity from mud, silt and vomit. Wipe dry and warm.
If the victim is unconscious, does not breathe on his own, but cardiac activity remains, then assistance in rescuing a drowning person will consist of administering artificial respiration to the victim, having carried out preliminary measures aimed at clearing the airways.
If the victim is not breathing and there is no cardiac activity, then artificial respiration must be combined with cardiac massage.
Transporting a drowning person to a medical facility
It is advisable to transport the victim to a hospital after cardiac activity has been restored. The position of the victim during transportation should be on his side; he should be placed on a stretcher with the headrest lowered. All victims must be hospitalized, because... there is a danger that secondary drowning will develop, which is characterized by the appearance of signs of acute respiratory failure, the occurrence of chest pain, the appearance of coughing, shortness of breath, agitation, the appearance of a feeling as if there is not enough air, the victim coughs up blood, and the pulse quickens. Victims remain at high risk of developing pulmonary edema within 15 to 72 hours after being rescued.
How to save a drowning person without going underwater yourself? Professionally trained specialists know everything about this, but unfortunately this knowledge is often not enough ordinary people. Let's look at all the intricacies of saving a drowning person.
We have all seen in films how a drowning person, waving his arms, jumping and gulping air, also tries to call for help. IN real life everything is completely different. The moment you begin to drown, panic comes to the fore, and self-preservation instincts bury themselves somewhere deep inside. In addition, a spasm of the throat may occur and interruptions in breathing may begin. Of course, no shouting: “Help, I’m drowning!” there can be no talk, and then all hope lies with those who remained on the shore. How to understand that a person in water needs help. There are several signs that will help you not to miss precious minutes and begin rescue efforts in time when a person is drowning:
- the head of a drowning person remains in one place for a long time, half submerged under water and only sometimes rises above the surface to take a breath of air;
- a person’s gaze is directed in one direction, his eyes are “glassy”, he does not react to hair that interferes with him;
- the hands are positioned horizontally on the surface of the water, the drowning person seems to be trying to push off the water with them;
- breathing is intermittent, the person tries to lean out of the water as much as possible or throw his head back;
- the skin of the face becomes pale, foam may come from the mouth;
- a drowning person will not respond to calls and respond to appeals to him.
In case of panic drowning, the first 30-60 seconds a person may wave his arms, scream and flounder, but after this time he will completely go under water. Having noticed at least one or two signs, immediately begin a rescue operation. In such a situation, even a second of delay will cost a person his life.
How to save a drowning person, basic rules of rescue
Correct and coordinated actions will help quickly save human life. If you are not a professional rescuer, you should know some rules of behavior in such situations. Never swim to help unless you are an ace at swimming yourself. So not only will you not help, but you yourself will go under water. Measure your strengths. Drowning, already exhausted, so he can’t help you in any way.
You also need to quickly navigate and find the point on the shore closest to the drowning person. Never jump into water in unfamiliar places. There is a risk of running into pitfalls. It’s better to enter quickly but carefully and then start swimming.
How to properly swim to a drowning person
The crawl style of swimming will allow you to quickly reach a person. The correct way to approach a drowning person is from behind, so you will protect yourself from his hands. Remember that the actions of a person who is fighting for his life are thoughtless and most often performed reflexively, so the rescuer needs to be as focused as possible and clearly follow the sequence of actions. First of all, dive in, grab him around the waist from behind and try to lift him higher so that he can inhale as much air as possible.
If a person goes to the bottom, you need to calculate the strength and direction of the current and dive after him. Having felt the body, grab it tightly and, pushing off from the bottom, emerge from the water with one jerk. It is ideal to take with you an inflatable ring, ball, swimming board or other object that floats well on the water. This way, the drowning person will be able to grab onto it, which will make it much easier for you to get back to the shore.
Fisherman's Rescue winter fishing different from summer ones. You can't approach him while standing. Lie down and crawl little by little towards the victim. Several people can be involved. People forming a chain while lying on the ice have a greater chance of salvation than one person. Give the drowning person a stick, fishing rod, net or other object at hand.
How to save a drowning person, capture and transportation
There are many ways to save a drowning person and pull him to shore. The choice depends on the specific situation, behavior and condition of the person. The two most commonly used capture techniques are:
- turning the drowning man's back to you, clasp his jaws on both sides with your palm, without closing his mouth. Straighten your arms and breaststroke towards the shore. When transporting the victim, make sure that his mouth and nose are above the surface of the water;
- turn the person on his side, clasp the upper arm of the drowning person by the armpit with your hand. Turn yourself on your side and use your legs and free hand to head towards the shore.
You can grab a person by the clothes or hair. Quickly determine the shortest route to land and stick to it. This way you will save a drowning person and avoid drowning yourself.
Techniques for uncontrollable grabs of a drowning person
If a drowning person grabs you, immediately take steps to free yourself, otherwise he may drown you. Push off, twist, try to dive. The life of him and the person being saved will depend on how quickly the savior frees himself. When you grab one of your hands, turn it sharply against thumb drowning man and rush towards you. If your hand is grabbed by two hands of a drowning person, pass yours under his hand and press your palm on his wrist. Before releasing, take in as much air as possible and try to get away from the attacker. When you need a break, do not walk away from someone drowning in the water from above; it is better to do it underwater.
How to save a drowning person on land, first aid
After the first part of the rescue operation is completed, and the victim finds himself on land in an unconscious state, it is the turn of resuscitation actions. The cessation of vital functions of the body occurs within a few minutes,
If a drowning person loses consciousness while still in the water, then resuscitation measures must begin there. Take the person in a comfortable position and inhale air through his nose, while closing his mouth. Your goal is to fill the lungs with oxygen until a reflex exhalation occurs and the person is freed from the water inside him.
It’s good if an ambulance or rescuers are waiting for you on the shore. Then all further actions to resuscitate the rescued person will fall on their shoulders. But there are situations when help has not yet arrived, there are no doctors nearby, and you have to do everything yourself. In this case, you can proceed as follows:
- get down on one knee in front of the victim, place him stomach down on your raised knee and open his mouth. Press your hand on his back so that the water he swallowed comes out;
- if a person begins to have a strong cough and vomiting, make sure that he does not lie on his back, otherwise he may choke;
- after the victim has gotten rid of excess fluid, lay him on his back and put rolled up clothing and your knee under his head, the main thing is that the head is slightly elevated.
The absence of a person's breathing and pulse for 2-2 minutes can lead to death. Immediately begin chest compressions and perform artificial respiration.
For artificial respiration, the person is freed from constricting clothing, placed horizontally and preferably on a hard surface. They place a roll of clothing, a small stone, their leg, etc. under the neck. The rescuer pinches the victim’s nose with one hand, and with the other, pulling down the chin, opens his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he exhales air into the mouth of the drowned man. If you see that rib cage rose, which means air got into the lungs. Continue the procedure every 2-4 seconds and take at least 25 exhalations.
In between artificial respirations, perform chest compressions. Performing it on a soft surface can cause liver damage, so the person should only be on a hard horizontal surface. Palms are placed on the chest in the area of the drowned person’s heart, one on top of the other, the fingers are raised up and do not touch the chest. Perform strong and rhythmic movements. When pressed, the sternum should move down by about 4 cm. The movements are performed using the body weight itself, and not the arms.
If you got hurt old man, then the pressure is performed at half strength, and if it is a child, then they press with their fingers. On average, you should get 15-20 presses in 10 seconds.
Resuscitation efforts continue until the person regains consciousness. Do not stop under any circumstances, even if it seems to you that it is pointless to continue. It happens that even after an hour of such actions you can achieve positive results.
Prevention of accidents on water
Any accident can be prevented. The same applies to drowning. The risk of going under water increases with the onset of warmer weather, when outdoor trips become frequent events. A good mood, a relaxed state, fueled by strong drinks, lead to carelessness on the water, and the risk of drowning increases significantly. Temperature changes can also be reasons for going underwater, when a person, having warmed up in the sun, suddenly plunges into the water and loses consciousness. If water is too cold, you may experience a cramp. To avoid drowning, listen to the following tips:
- When entering a body of water, do not swim too far. If this happens, and you understand that you won’t get back on your own, lie on your back, rest and call for help;
- Having decided to get to land on your own, give yourself as much rest as possible;
- If you don’t know how to swim, swim with inflatable flotation devices;
- do not let children go to the beach themselves;
- do not dive headfirst without knowing the bottom topography;
- It is not recommended to swim immediately after eating and especially after drinking alcohol;
- when resting on the mattress, make sure that it is not carried far from the shore;
- It is prohibited to swim near bridges, quarries, cliffs and in places with strong currents;
- Just in case, attach a safety pin to your swimsuit. You can use it if you suddenly have a cramp.
Remember that even a master of sports in swimming can drown. Caution on the water is not just empty words. Follow it, and then bathing will bring you and your family joy, not grief.
