Drowning is one of the most common fears that people have. In fact, up to 46% of adults have a fear of drowning. With so many people having this fear, it is imperative to know the steps to take to avoid drowning. While some people may opt to avoid the water, some measures can be taken within the water to help lessen the chance of drowning, particularly in deep waters. If you fall into deep waters, following these deep-water survival tips are imperative to avoid drowning.
How To Avoid Drowning: A Crucial Survival Tip
Float. While that may seem overly simple, it is the most important survival tip. Float like your life depends on it because it does. ScieneAlert shares the importance of your initial reaction when falling into deep water. They state,
"Instincts play a crucial role in how we respond to water."
Many people fear water or drowning so they panic upon entering the water. This is especially true if they enter the water unexpectedly. While many people may prepare for a swim or a kayaking adventure, no one truly prepares to fall unexpectedly into the water.
Those unexpected moments are when you need to remain calm to avoid drowning. ScieneAlert goes on to share the motions you should go through and crucial survival tips to avoid drowning. First, get yourself floating on your back. Next, "tilt your head back with your ears submerged." While this may feel odd to your ears, it helps to keep your airways out of the water.
Next, do your best not to panic and try to breathe normally. Keeping yourself calm will help your mind stay alert and prevent your body from going into shock. Finally, gently move your arms and hands in a paddling motion to help keep you afloat. Experts say, "Don't fret if your legs sink; everyone's buoyancy is different."
When Does Dronwing Occur?
Contrary to popular belief, most drowning does not occur during routine water activities. In fact, "40% of these incidents occur when people aren't even planning to be in the water." Things like surprise rising tides, walking along the coast, or jumping in to rescue someone else are all examples of how someone could unexpectedly end up in deep waters.
Additionally, not being prepared or not following the crucial tips for deep water survival can have a negative effect on the success rate of avoiding drowning. Another thing to note is that, similarly to avoiding your instinct of panicking, you want to avoid your instinct of fighting a current.
"The best thing to do is swim parallel to the shore to escape the rip." Additionally, staying calm can make you more aware of other potentially hazardous things in the water, such as broken glass or pollution, all of which can be hazardous to your health.
So, if you find yourself in deep or dangerous waters, follow these deep-water survival tips.
- Get on your back and float.
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged in the water.
- Remain calm and breathe normally.
- Move your hands and arms in a paddle-like motion to keep you afloat.
- Swim parallel to the shore if caught in a rough current.
- Be aware of your surroundings and any potential pollutants.
If you follow all of these crucial safety tips, you should be able to avoid drowning or at least dramatically lessen the chances of drowning.