How to Throw a Ring Buoy or Throw Bag

To use a throw bag, open the top, hold the loose end of the rope, and throw the bag underarm toward the person. Tell them to hold the rope firmly and keep kicking, then kneel or stay low and pull them in. A ring buoy works the same way: keep hold of its line, throw it so the person can grab it, and pull. If you start to be pulled into the water, let go and try again.

These are "throw" rescues, the middle step of the Red Cross rule reach or throw, don't go (opens in a new tab). Water Safety USA describes safe rescue as reaching or throwing a flotation aid from the water's edge without entering the water (opens in a new tab). For the full picture, start with reach or throw, don't go.

Know the equipment

Canada's Lifesaving Society, which trains lifeguards, describes the main rescue aids in its position statement on rescue aids (opens in a new tab):

On boats, the U.S. Coast Guard lists cushions and ring buoys as throwable devices (opens in a new tab), and says throwable devices must be immediately available for use, not stowed away.

Find out where the equipment is at your pool, dock, beach or boat before anyone swims. Our guide to pool rescue equipment covers what to keep beside a home pool, and loaner stations and public rescue equipment covers lakes and boat launches.

Before you throw

• Get help coming. Shout, alert the lifeguard, and make sure someone is calling 911.
• Stay on solid ground, back from a slippery edge. On ice, Minnesota DNR says to resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole.
• Talk to the person. Tell them help is coming and what to do: "Grab the rope!" The American Red Cross says to yell instructions (opens in a new tab) to someone caught in a rip current on how to escape it.
• Hold your end. Keep hold of the loose end of a throw bag's rope, or the line on a ring buoy, so you can pull the person in. Minnesota DNR's advice is to toss one end of a rope or something that will float (opens in a new tab).

Throwing a throw bag

A Royal Life Saving Society demonstration, shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (opens in a new tab), shows these steps:

1. Open the top of the throw bag.
2. Throw the bag using an underarm throw. The rope pays out of the bag as it flies.
3. Instruct the person to hold the rope firmly. Tell them to keep kicking.
4. Kneel down while you pull them in. Bring them to the edge and tell them to hold on to the side.

If you miss, pull the rope back in and throw again.

Throwing a ring buoy

Ring buoys are found at many pools, piers and marinas. The Lifesaving Society notes that they are typically very buoyant but can be difficult to throw with accuracy (opens in a new tab), and that you must take care not to hit the person or other swimmers when throwing one in a crowded area.

• Hold the line attached to the ring.
• Throw it so it lands where the person can grab it, not on top of them.
• Tell them to hold on to the ring, then pull them in steadily by the line.

No equipment? Throw anything that floats

Most emergencies don't happen next to a rescue station. Look around for something that floats.

• The American Red Cross suggests a life jacket, cooler or inflatable ball (opens in a new tab).
• National Weather Service Tallahassee suggests a boogie board, an empty cooler, or pool noodles and rafts (opens in a new tab).
• To reach instead of throw, Minnesota DNR lists a rope, a ladder or jumper cables, and the CDC mentions poles or ropes (opens in a new tab) as rescue aids that let you help without entering the water.

The Red Cross is clear: don't attempt a rescue yourself unless you are a trained beach lifeguard. National Weather Service Tallahassee adds that even lifeguards only attempt a rip current rescue with a flotation device.

Pulling someone in safely

The moment the person grabs the rope is the moment you are most likely to be pulled off balance.

• Get low. Kneel down, as the RLSS demonstration shows, or sit, so your weight is low and back from the edge.
• Pull steadily and keep talking: "Hold on. Keep kicking."
• Let go if you're being pulled in. Minnesota DNR says that if the person starts to pull you in, release your grip and start over (opens in a new tab). That's why you should never tie the rope to yourself or wrap it around your hand.
• Once they're out, follow what to do in the first minutes. Anyone who needed help in the water and has symptoms should be checked by a medical professional.

Practice on dry land

Throwing accurately takes practice, and the first time shouldn't be an emergency.

• Practice in a park or backyard: throw a throw bag or a rope tied to a pool noodle at a target a few body lengths away.
• Take turns being the "swimmer" who catches the rope, while the thrower kneels and pulls.
• Make it part of your family, camp or team safety drill; see how to write a water emergency action plan.
• Kids can learn the idea first with our game Reach or Throw, Don’t Go, which collects nothing.

The best way to learn is with an instructor. The Red Cross includes "reach or throw, don't go" in its water competency teaching and offers water safety, first aid and CPR courses; see where to learn CPR.

What you can do today

• Find the throw bag, ring buoy or reaching pole at your pool, dock or beach, and check that it's there and in good shape.
• If you own a pool or boat, keep a throwable device where anyone can grab it.
• Practice one dry-land throw with your family this week.
• Put up the poster where people swim.