To effectively swim when carrying someone, particularly in a rescue or assistance scenario, the key is to ensure the person's airway is clear, maintain a stable hold, and utilize efficient swimming strokes for propulsion.
How Do You Swim When Carrying Someone?
When carrying someone in the water, the most effective and safest method involves a specific sequence of positioning and stroke techniques to ensure both individuals can move securely to safety.
Step-by-Step Guide to Carrying Someone While Swimming
The process involves careful maneuvering and support, as detailed in water safety guidelines from 04-Apr-2023:
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Approach and Orient the Person:
- First, swim out to the person you are assisting.
- Once you reach them, ask them to rotate onto their back, facing away from you. This is crucial for proper alignment and keeping their face out of the water.
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Position Yourself Behind Them:
- After they are on their back and oriented away from you, position yourself directly behind them. This provides the optimal leverage for support and propulsion.
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Provide Secure Support:
- Gently but firmly place their head on your shoulder. This keeps their head supported and elevated.
- Concurrently, use your arms to support them under their armpits. This cradling hold ensures stability and distributes their weight, preventing them from slipping or submerging.
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Propel to Safety:
- With the person securely supported and positioned, you can then proceed to move them to safety.
- The recommended swimming strokes for this task are the survival backstroke or the sidestroke. These strokes allow you to maintain the necessary support while efficiently using your legs and one arm (for sidestroke) or mainly legs (for backstroke) for propulsion.
Recommended Swimming Strokes for Carrying Someone
Choosing the right stroke is vital for efficiency and minimizing fatigue while transporting someone in the water. The two most effective strokes are:
- Survival Backstroke: This stroke is performed while on your back, allowing you to keep the assisted person's head on your shoulder. Propulsion primarily comes from strong, wide frog kicks with your legs, while your arms are mostly used for sculling or maintaining the hold. It's excellent for conserving energy over longer distances and ensures the person's airway remains clear.
- Sidestroke: When using the sidestroke, you swim on your side. One arm remains dedicated to supporting the person, while the other arm and your legs (performing a scissor kick) provide propulsion. This stroke offers versatility, better directional control, and can be more effective in choppy water conditions.
| Stroke Type | Body Position | Primary Propulsion | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival Backstroke | On your back | Legs (frog kick) | Energy-efficient, maintains clear airway |
| Sidestroke | On your side | Legs (scissor kick), one arm | Versatile, directional control, can navigate choppy water |
Why This Method Is Effective
This systematic approach to carrying someone in the water is effective because it:
- Ensures Airway Safety: By having the person on their back with their head supported on your shoulder, their mouth and nose are kept above the waterline, preventing water intake.
- Optimizes Rescuer Efficiency: The chosen strokes (survival backstroke and sidestroke) allow the rescuer to use their most powerful muscles (legs) for propulsion while maintaining a stable hold, reducing fatigue.
- Provides Stability: Supporting the person under their armpits and cradling their head offers a stable base, preventing sudden movements or loss of control.
- Minimizes Strain: The method is designed to distribute the person's weight effectively, reducing strain on the rescuer's back and arms.
