๐Ÿ“˜ CodingMarble Learn

Water Safety: Stay Safe and Help Others Safely

Drowning is quiet and fast. Most water accidents come from deep water, currents, cold water and tiredness. If someone is in trouble, do not jump in. Shout for help, call the emergency number, then REACH with a stick or THROW something that floats. Wear a life jacket and swim where a lifeguard can see you.

๐ŸŽฌ Step-by-step story

  1. Look at the red swimmer. Arms slap the water, the head is low, and there is no shouting. Real drowning is quiet.
  2. Four things make water risky: deep water, a current, cold water, and a tired swimmer. Check them before you swim.
  3. REACH: the swimmer is close, under 2.5 metres. Lie down on the bank and hold out a stick or a towel.
  4. THROW: the swimmer is farther away. Throw a ring, a bottle or a bag that floats. Use a rope if you have one.
  5. Do not jump in. A scared swimmer grabs you and pulls you under. Then two people need help. Shout and call for help.
  6. Free play: slide the distance to see the right rescue. Tap Life jacket to see how it holds a swimmer up.

Tip: drag the 3D scene to turn it. Use two fingers to zoom.

๐Ÿค” Common doubts, cleared

How do I know someone is drowning if they are not shouting?

Watch for a low head, arms pressing on the water, and no kicking. Ask 'Are you OK?' If there is no answer, act at once.

Which water dangers should I check before swimming?

Deep water, a current, cold water and being tired. The four flags in the scene show each one.

When do I reach, and when do I throw?

Reach when the person is within about 2.5 m. Throw when they are farther, up to roughly 12 m.

I am a good swimmer. Can I jump in?

Even strong swimmers can be pulled under by a scared person. Trained lifeguards use special holds and equipment. You should throw and call for help.

How does a life jacket keep you up?

It holds air or light foam that is lighter than water, so the push of the water on it lifts your head above the surface. Tap the Life jacket button to see it.

How drowning really looks

In films, drowning people shout and wave. In real life it is quiet. A person who is drowning cannot call out, because the body uses all its effort to breathe.

So if a swimmer goes quiet, ask: "Are you OK?" If there is no answer, they need help now.

Why water accidents happen

Most accidents come from a few simple causes.

Rescue: Reach, Throw, don't go

If someone is in trouble, follow this order. Your own safety comes first.

  1. Shout for help and call the emergency number. It is 112 in India and the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the USA and Canada, and 119 in Korea. Ask an adult or a lifeguard to come.
  2. REACH. If the person is within about 2.5 metres, lie flat on the bank so you do not slip in. Hold out a stick, a scarf, a towel or a branch.
  3. THROW. If the person is farther, throw anything that floats: a life ring, a plastic bottle with the cap on, a bag with air in it. A rope tied to it lets you pull the person in.
  4. Do not go in. Only a trained lifeguard enters the water. A panicking person will climb on you.
  5. When the person is out, keep them warm and, if they are not breathing, start first aid (see the First Aid lesson).

Equipment and rules that keep you safe

A life jacket holds your head above water, even if you are tired or unconscious. It must fit snugly and be fastened. A child's life jacket must be the child's size.

Rules for boats and ships are in the Ship Stability and Safety Equipment lesson.

Try it: the floating test

Ask an adult to help. Fill an empty plastic bottle with air and close the cap. Put it in a bucket of water. It floats! Now fill it with water: it sinks. That is why an air-filled bottle makes a good throwing aid. In the 3D, predict whether the stick or the ring is right before you slide the distance, then check.

Key formulas and definitions

Worked examples

1. A child is in the water 2 m from the pond edge and cannot get out. What should you do?

The child is within reach distance. Shout for help, lie flat on the bank and hold out a long stick or a towel. Pull the child in slowly. Do not enter the water.

2. A boy is struggling 9 m from the bank of a river. You have a rope and an empty can with the lid on. What do you do?

9 m is too far to reach. Tie the rope to the can, throw it past the boy, and let him grab it. Pull him in while you stay on the bank. Call for help at the same time.

3. You are caught in a rip current at the beach and are being pulled out. What is the safe plan?

Stay calm, float or tread water, and do not swim straight back against the current. Swim sideways along the shore until you are out of the current, then swim in. Wave and shout for the lifeguard.

Common mistakes

Practice quiz

1. A swimmer is 2 m from the edge. What is the best first help?
2. Which sign shows a person may be drowning?
3. Complete: Reach or ____, don't go.
4. In a rip current you should:
5. What does a life jacket do?

Practice: answer these yourself

Type or choose your answer, then press Check. Use a hint if you are stuck; the full solution appears after you answer.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first steps if someone is drowning?

Shout for help and call the emergency number. Then reach with a stick or throw something that floats. Do not go into the water unless you are a trained lifeguard.

Why is it dangerous to jump in and save a drowning person?

A panicking person grabs anything they can, including you. You can be pushed under and drown too. A throw or a reach saves them without risking you.

What should I do in a rip current?

Stay calm and do not swim against it. Swim sideways, parallel to the beach, until you are out of the current. Then swim back to shore, or float and wave for help.

Learn first

Learn next

Related lessons

All Science lessons