Saratoga Regional YMCA’s Post

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🏊♀️Water Safety Month tip #2 from Patty: "Reach, Throw, DON'T GO!" When we see someone struggling in the water, our first instinct may be to jump in and help them out. However, someone struggling in water is going to be panicking and their initial response is to grab onto anything (or anyone) they see for support. Their survival-mode strength could push you under and put you both in serious danger. ✅REACH If you are in arm's length of the struggling individual, lay on your stomach and reach out to them. If you are unable to reach the individual with your hand, try using an elongated item such as a pole, paddle, or sturdy tree branch. ✅THROW If a person in need is out of your reach, the next best option is to throw an object that floats to them. This could be a kick-board, beach ball, ring buoy, or empty picnic cooler. ✅DON'T GO A distressed or panicked person will always cause you to be in danger as they attempt to use you as a flotation device to save themselves. Only a lifeguard should get in the water to help a person in trouble!

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