There is a 67% rise in men’s drowning risk when it is 86 degrees or warmer, a 69 % chance it will be a man if a rescuer drowns, and a 40% rise in pool and natural water drowning among men from 2000-2010. The moral: Booze and water don’t mix especially for men.
What to do if you see someone drowning:
- Shout for someone to call 911.
- Reach for the person if they are an arm’s length away.
- Throw a safety ring.
- Row to them via boat, kayak or surfboard.
- Go swim to them but bring a towel or safety ring. Many rescuers drown by being pulled down by their victims.
- SO, shout, reach, throw, row, or then GO!Â
(Did You Know?  It can take less than an hour in 50 degree water for your judgment to become impaired. The most common group to drown is men between the ages of 15-24.)Â
Rip currents can be deadly unless you know how to recognize them and how to escape. The clues there is a rip current are: a channel of churning, choppy water, a break in the incoming wave pattern, or a line of seaweed or foam moving out to sea. Trying to escape a rip current by swimming in is futile and dangerous. Swim parallel to the shore to leave the rip current. If it is too strong to do this then go out with the current until you can swim left or right.
From Men’s Health.
