Glossary
Reach or throw, don't go
The safe way to help someone in the water: reach with an object or throw something that floats, without going in.
Reach or throw, don't go is the American Red Cross rule for helping someone in trouble in the water without becoming a second victim. The Red Cross (opens in a new tab) lists it among the skills every family should know.
- Reach: stay on land or the deck and hold out a pole, branch, towel or paddle.
- Throw: toss something that floats, such as a ring buoy, life jacket or cooler, and tell the person to grab it.
- Don't go: don't swim out unless you are a trained rescuer with a flotation device.
Why it matters: Water Safety USA (opens in a new tab) says safe, simple rescue means reaching or throwing a flotation aid from the water's edge without entering the water, and the National Weather Service (opens in a new tab) warns that many people have died trying to rescue someone caught in a rip current. Always shout for help and get someone to call 911 at the same time.
Teach it to children as a chant, and practice on dry land. See how to help someone who is drowning, the Reach or Throw, Don't Go and the Reach or Throw, Don’t Go game for kids.
What you can do today: practice reaching and throwing with your children in the yard or a park.