So today I watched somebody almost drown in front of me
Oh yeah I was trying like hell to save him too.
Story:
We went to a river (a big one) where there's a section of land that somebody set up ropes to swing into the water. One of the guys that came today doesn't know how to swim, but mindlessly I guess we figured nothing could go wrong.
I've never seen somebody freak out in the water before, myself being an avid swimmer of some 24 of my 27 years. So he swings out and lands fine, but his head's not coming up. He's just hanging there until I grab him and lift his head above the water. He's in shock or something, and is flailing around. I start swimming back.
My friend comes barrelling in and jumps on me, knocking him out of the water. I can feel him sinking so I throw him up to the surface and make my way up....while he's sinking down. Like...my leg is touching his shoulder down.
I was about to dive but thankfully two other people managed to make it there and pulled him out.
He's fine, and went in for a second, though he was just as scared / panicking the second time, though he was in substantially less danger as we knew what would happen.
So yeah, that's my PSA. If you can, learn lifeguarding, or at least be able to save somebody who's drowning. CPR and First Aid are good as well. Topic is: do you have either, and is it hard to get? Have you saved a life before?
ps: one of the times I went, I swung back and didn't let go. Hence I now have two legs full of cuts.
