this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2026
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[–] SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 52 points 1 week ago (2 children)

“After I almost drowned, I decided I would never again be weaker than water, so I became a lifeguard. On my first day of training, my instructor told me that there are going to be times when you'll see someone in trouble. You're going to want to rush in there and do whatever you can to save them, but you have to stop yourself. Because there are some people you can't save. Cause those people will thrash and struggle, and try to take you down with them.”

— Ana Spanakopita, BoJack Horseman

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 22 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (4 children)

Great for moody television, but that seems like horrible advice for lifeguards lol

I know there's a phenomenon of a drowning person flailing and bringing the lifeguard down with them, but I'm not sure you can tell from the shore that that's gonna happen

[–] Art3mis@lemmy.blahaj.zone 21 points 1 week ago

Thats also what the big floaty thing is for. Life gaurds are very good swimmers.

[–] Sylvartas@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 1 week ago

You'd also think that a lifeguard would be specifically trained to work with this, and also equipped with some floatation device to help

[–] dreugeworst@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

you won't be able to tell, but at least when I was taught ages ago, they advised to call out verbally before approaching, and then circle around to approach from the back to prevent them pushing you under in an attempt to draw a breath. and that's after trying to find other ways to save them than getting in yourself

[–] Medic8eme@piefed.ca 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

When I lifeguarded we were taught to protect ourselves as well. Not just approach cautiously but physically keep people from drowning you and be able to stay out if reach when necessary.

[–] Linktank@lemmy.today 6 points 1 week ago

I was told it was okay to knock someone OUT if it meant saving their life and protecting your own.

[–] Omgpwnies@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Reach, throw, row, go is what we were taught when I was a kid.

Use a stick or something for them to grab if you're close enough

Throw something buoyant attached to a rope to tow them back

Row out in a boat and use a paddle/buoy/life jacket for them to grab and tow them back, especially if in a canoe, they'll capsize you trying to get in.

Finally, if nothing else works, go and do the stuff you said

[–] LastYearsIrritant@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 week ago

As a former lifeguard, and an EMT, "do not go unless safe" is not only good advice, it's basically drilled into you constantly.

It's far too easy to get into the "I can save anyone" mindset and hurt yourself.

Sometimes you are off shift and don't have the proper personal safety equipment. Sometimes the patient is actively violent. Sometimes the situation is such that going out yourself just creates two patients.

You ALWAYS, stop and look at the situation and think "scene safe?" Before doing ANYTHING for a rescue.

Sure, most city pool lifeguards are in a super controlled situation, and they have floatation devices and everything needed to help, but you should still take that two seconds to think before you go.