(CNN) — On Good Friday 2017, Wyatt Wellness calls from his wife who went shopping for groceries with her daughter. I received it. She broke down. Please help us.
Wellness drove a Patrick Space Force Base near Cape Canaveral, Florida, and jumped into his car to assist. From the A1A highway, Werneth said you can see the sea.
The next thing he saw was a twist of fate that would lead to a much more urgent rescue.
"I saw someone waving in the traffic as I passed by. I pulled to see what was happening. Something underwater There was an immediate instinct that was happening. ”Wellness recalled to CNN Travel.
"When I came to Balm, I didn't know what I was in. There were multiple people in the water."
And they were in trouble. Very serious trouble. Rip the current type of trouble.
The scene sends a chill of horror to everyone's spine, but at least wellness is ready. He was an experienced lifeguard instructor and had a water rescue device with him.
But at least five people are suffering from the fierce tides of the Atlantic, so how can he save them all?
Statistics are strict
An estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings occur each year in the United States (including boat accidents). This is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.
Crowds flock to the waters and sands of Miami's South Beach. Florida is the fourth largest drowning death per 100,000 in the United States. It is important to understand how to enjoy open water safely.
lazyllama / Adobe Stock
From 2015 to 2019, the states with the highest death toll per 100,000 people are: ..
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. Louisiana
4. Florida
5. Mississippi
And there are many more non-fatal drowning. According to the CDC, those who survive the drowning incident have a variety of consequences, from "injured to very serious injuries and permanent disabilities."
Tragedy is many of these deaths, and injuries are preventable, experts say. What can you do to safely enjoy the waters of the sea, rivers, lakes, pools, etc. and not join the ranks of drowning? After all, a lot.
Who is most at risk?
Men dive into the waters of Bosporus on the Anatolian side (also known as the Asian side) of Istanbul. Men around the world are at higher risk of drowning than women.
Moe Zoyari / Bloomberg / Getty Images
It's important to know who is likely to drown. The risky group needs to pay the most attention. Some of them in the United States are:
• Minority group:American Indians or Alaska indigenous people under the age of 29 have twice the fatal drowning rate as whites. For blacks, it is 1.5 times more than whites.
Drowning prevention tips
Children swim in YMCA Take a lesson in Memphis, Tennessee. Studies show that attending formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
Karen Pulfer Focht / The Commercial Appeal / AP
However, "Children taking swimming lessons should always be closely monitored in or around the water. The agency writes. Don't be distracted by TVs, books and phones when watching children underwater.
If you are drinking alcoholic beverages, keep away from water. Please do not board the boat. Poor judgment and slow response can lead to tragedy.
People on boats, especially weak swimmers in open water, should wear a life jacket.
And be careful of the weather. It will end if there is a thunderstorm or heavy rain.
Knowing the water environment
People swim in the waves of Waimea Under the warning flag, Bay Beach Park on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Experts say don't underestimate the power of the waves without official warning.
Caleb Jones / AP
Understand the area you are about to enter. Different water areas carry different kinds of dangers.
Ocean Lip Current
These currents flow off the shore. They are often formed at sand bar breaks and near piers and rock crotch.
• Calm down. The flow of the rift does not draw you into the water, but wipes you far from the shore.
• Do not swim against the flow. USLA tries to escape by "swimming away from the stream along the coastline". You may be able to float or step on the water to escape and survive the flow.
• If you run into problems, yell out and ask for help.
If you are not trained, do not try to save others yourself. Find a lifeguard, call 911, or throw a levitation device. Instruct people to swim parallel to the coastline and escape.
Other sea tips
River
Tubes and other activities are popular in the river. However, underwater torrents, obstacles, or debris can be dangerous.
Wellness said he would investigate the river before entering.
Personal watercraft embraces the coastline of Lake Bluemarsh near Reading, Pennsylvania. In that state, you need your boat safety education certificate to operate it. The US Coast Guard says you need to wear a life jacket to protect your body when riding. Also, do not jump wakes or drink alcohol before surgery.
Ben Hasty / MediaNews Group / Reading Eagle / Getty Images
Lakes and Ponds
Swimming Pool
And even if your child knows how to swim, adults should still maintain careful surveillance. Keep the levitation device at hand.
Nationwide lack of lifeguards
Lifeguards are visitors Watch as they swim in the Raging Waters Sakurament Water Park at Cal Expo in Sakuramento, California. Be especially careful as there is a shortage of guards this year.
David Paul Morris / Bloomberg / Getty Images
Werneth said the group's message was always "swim in front of lifeguards." But he said the reality of the shortage is driving something new: "America, learn to swim."
"We want people to protect their lives. Appoint someone in your family as a water watcher. Let them learn CPR."
And if someone can't swim and still wants to walk, "wear a life jacket. That will make a difference."
Operation Rescue
A wellness job on the beach in Florida in 2017, but he's chilly and has decades of experience. did. Fortunately, the second experienced helper he later learned was from the Air Force.
"He was single-I pulled out a man by hand before I got there. The Air Force man was like coming back alone. I saw him in a sort of unconsciousness, and I immediately jumped into the water, swam, grabbed an unconscious person and took him out. "
Wellness recalls pulling five male teens out of the water as they guess they were about 50 yards away. They weren't even dressed for swimming, Mr. Wellness said. Sea.
He was exhausted as the group died without rescue.
"I guarantee everyone will do so. These people were going to help each other, and it caused a chain reaction. People without a levitation device. Don't go into the water to help, "he said. This is because the family car broke down. But not everyone can rely on luck.
After all, you need the "confidence of water" gained by experience and respect for water.
"Fear causes panic that causes drowning."
