Reach or Throw, Don't Go: How to Help Someone Who Is Drowning

To help someone who is drowning, stay on land and reach or throw, don't go. That is the rule the American Red Cross (opens in a new tab) teaches: reach out with something long, or throw something that floats, while you stay safely on the shore, dock or pool deck. Water Safety USA describes safe, simple rescue the same way: reaching or throwing a flotation aid from the water's edge without entering the water (opens in a new tab).

This page explains each part, the rescue equipment you'll see at pools, docks and beaches, and what to do if a pet falls in.

First: call for help

Every second counts, so get help moving before you do anything else.

• Shout. Yell for help and get the lifeguard's attention if there is one.
• Call 911, or assign it. Say "You, in the blue shirt, call 911" so it actually happens. Our guide to calling 911 near water explains what to say when there is no street address.
• Take a few seconds to look. The National Weather Service suggests you take 10 seconds to assess the situation (opens in a new tab), then alert a lifeguard. Is the person moving forward? Can they answer you? Our guide to the quiet signs of drowning shows what trouble looks like.
• Talk to them. National Weather Service Tallahassee advises yelling to a swimmer in distress to float or tread water and stay calm (opens in a new tab). At the beach, tell them to swim along the shoreline to get out of a rip current.

Reach: from solid ground

If the person is close to the edge, reach out to them with something long and strong.

• What to use. A reaching pole, a branch, a paddle, a rope, a towel or a ladder. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources lists a rope, ladder or jumper cables (opens in a new tab) for reaching someone from shore.
• Stay on solid ground. Keep your feet on the deck, dock or bank, not on loose rocks, ice or a slippery edge.
• Let go if you are being pulled in. Minnesota DNR says that if the person starts to pull you in, release your grip on the object and start over. A drowning person grabs hard, and you are no help to them if you end up in the water too.

Throw: anything that floats

If they are too far to reach, throw them something that floats so they can hold on while help comes.

• Rescue equipment. Ring buoys (life rings), throw bags (a rope stuffed in a bag) and life jackets are made for this.
• Everyday things that float. National Weather Service Tallahassee suggests a boogie board, an empty cooler, or pool noodles and rafts (opens in a new tab).
• Hold the line. If the float is tied to a rope, keep hold of your end so you can pull the person to the edge. Minnesota DNR's ice-rescue advice is to toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the person.
• Throw early. A person in distress who is still yelling and thrashing can often grab a rope or ring. A person in the instinctive drowning response (opens in a new tab) usually can't, so act at the first sign of trouble.

Don't go: why untrained rescuers drown

It feels wrong to stay on land when someone is in trouble. But going in without training and a flotation device often turns one emergency into two.

• Many would-be rescuers die. The National Weather Service warns that many people have died trying to rescue someone (opens in a new tab) caught in a rip current, and says never to enter the water without a flotation device.
• Even lifeguards take a float. National Weather Service Tallahassee notes that even lifeguards only attempt a rip current rescue using a flotation device (opens in a new tab). It also warns against forming a human chain, because people who try may end up needing rescue themselves.
• Ice is no different. Minnesota DNR says a non-professional shouldn't go out on the ice (opens in a new tab) to make a rescue unless every other option has been ruled out, and that heroics by well-meaning but untrained rescuers sometimes result in two deaths.
• Cold water takes your breath. Sudden cold water can cause gasping and rapid breathing (opens in a new tab) that makes swimming very hard, even for strong swimmers.

If the situation is too dangerous for you to reach or throw, Minnesota DNR says to call 911 and keep reassuring the person that help is on the way.

Rescue equipment at pools, docks and beaches

Ring buoys (life rings), throw bags and reaching poles are made for exactly this kind of rescue. Find out where they are at your pool, dock or beach before anyone swims, and check that they are in place and in good shape. If equipment is missing at a public pool, beach or dock, tell the owner or manager.

Throwing accurately takes practice. Our step-by-step guide to how to throw a ring buoy or throw bag shows how to use each one and how to pull someone in safely. For a home pool, see pool rescue equipment; for lakes and boat launches, see loaner stations and public rescue equipment.

The CDC suggests travelers learn safe rescue techniques such as using poles or ropes (opens in a new tab) so they can help without entering the water.

If a pet falls in

Many people go into water, or onto ice, after a dog. Minnesota DNR's advice is direct: do not risk your life to attempt to save a pet or other animal (opens in a new tab).

• Stay on shore. On ice, Minnesota DNR says to resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole, because that most often leaves two victims in the water.
• Call 911. Responders have the training and equipment for water and ice rescue.
• Reach or throw from solid ground only, following the steps above.

For ice, see what to do if someone falls through ice.

Get trained

Reading about rescue is a start. Practicing it with an instructor is better.

• The Red Cross teaches "reach or throw, don't go" as part of water competency, alongside knowing the signs of drowning and knowing CPR and first aid (opens in a new tab).
• The National Drowning Prevention Alliance lists CPR training with rescue breaths and basic water rescue skills (opens in a new tab) as one of its layers of protection.
• Our guide on where to learn CPR lists class finders, including free classes in New York City.

Children can practice the idea too. Our game Reach or Throw, Don’t Go lets kids choose the safe way to help, and it collects nothing.

What you can do today

• Walk around your pool, dock or regular swim spot. Find the ring buoy or reaching pole, or decide what you would use instead.
• Teach your family the four words: "Reach or throw, don't go."
• Put the poster up where people swim.
• Practice throwing a rope or a pool noodle to a target on dry grass.
• Sign up for a CPR and first aid course.