What is the recommended rescue approach for a passive drowning person submerged in shallow water?

What is the recommended rescue approach for a passive drowning person submerged in shallow water?

• A. Call for additional lifeguards and wait
• B. Submerge fully and pull from underneath
• C. Jump from the dock to grab from above
• D. Quickly swim or walk to their side

Answer: (D)

When a passive drowning person is submerged in shallow water, the safest and most effective move is to quickly swim or walk to their side. Approaching from the side lets you establish contact without diving into shallow water or getting tangled in the bottom, and it lets you control the victim’s head and airway as you bring them to safety. This aligns with using a safe rescue approach in order of reach, throw, or row, favoring a side approach if you must enter the water. Waiting for more help would delay aid, diving or grabbing from underneath in shallow water can cause injury to you or the victim, and dropping in from above isn’t as controllable or safe in this environment.

When a passive drowning person is submerged in shallow water, the safest and most effective move is to quickly swim or walk to their side. Approaching from the side lets you establish contact without diving into shallow water or getting tangled in the bottom, and it lets you control the victim’s head and airway as you bring them to safety. This aligns with using a safe rescue approach in order of reach, throw, or row, favoring a side approach if you must enter the water. Waiting for more help would delay aid, diving or grabbing from underneath in shallow water can cause injury to you or the victim, and dropping in from above isn’t as controllable or safe in this environment.