There’s nothing better than a relaxing day at the beach. Burying your toes in the warm sand, laying under an umbrella reading a book and breathing in the fresh, ocean air can make your troubles melt faster than a popsicle.
But while you’re getting a tan or combing the shore for beautiful shells, it’s important to remember that, even at the beach, safety comes first. A lifeguard recently shared a story on Reddit detailing how she saved a man’s life after he ignored warning signs about the water conditions. But instead of thanking her, he demonstrated just how ignorant he really is. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as a conversation with Madison Lalonde, Director of Communications and Public Education at the Lifesaving Society.
It's important to take lifeguards seriously when they warn swimmers about dangerous water conditions
Image credits: Danielle-Claude Bélanger (not the actual photo)
But when one man refused to listen, this lifeguard had to put herself at risk to save him from drowning
Image credits: Rawpixel (not the actual photo)
Later, the lifeguard shared some more details about the situation
Image credits: ThatOceanAngel
Over 3,500 people drown in the United States every year
Many of us spend the majority of the year looking forward to summer. Finally, the sun is shining, the air is warm, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like swimming. If you happen to live in a warm place, you might even be able to get into the water during the spring! But regardless of when you’re diving in, you must remember how to stay safe.
According to Stop Drowning Now, between 3,500 and 4,000 people drown in the United States every single year. This is the most common way for children between the ages of one and four to lose their lives, and 80% of child drownings take place in residential pools while there are adults around.
No matter how long you’ve been swimming or how strong of a swimmer you are, you are, unfortunately, not immune to drowning. In fact, a 2021 study in Canada found that drownings among older adults have been on the rise in recent years.
Researchers found that 812 adults over the age of 65 lost their lives to drowning during the 10-year period of their study. However, they project that by 2050, between 209 and 430 older adults will drown in Canada per year.
The study also determined that adults between the ages of 65 and 74 were more likely to drown in open water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. Meanwhile, those over the age of 75 were more likely to drown in bathtubs or private pools.
Image credits: seleznev_photos (not the actual photo)
"Being aware while being active can save your life"
To learn more about water safety, we got in touch with Madison Lalonde, Director of Communications and Public Education at the Lifesaving Society. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain why it's so important to take warnings seriously when lifeguards mention dangerous conditions.
"The majority of drowning incidents in Canada occur in outdoor, unsupervised environments, like lakes, as there are many inherent risks like rocks, cold water, and they are largely unsupervised," Madison shared. "Less than 1% of drowning incidents in Canada occur in lifeguard supervised settings. Moving water (oceans, rivers, etc.) is far more dangerous than still water due to additional hazards like currents, waves, and changes in depth. These hazards can affect even the strongest of swimmers."
So is it ever safe to go swimming alone? "It is not safe to do any aquatic activity alone," the expert says. "You should always have someone with you who can call for help or throw you a flotation device in an emergency. Even strong swimmers can face unexpected challenges like cramps, exhaustion, or medical issues."
"It’s equally important that your companion knows not to attempt a rescue themselves unless they’re trained," Madison continued. "Untrained rescuers are often at risk of drowning too. If you're going boating, swimming, or fishing always have a buddy with you, choose a supervised area with lifeguards on duty, and let someone know your plans. Wearing a lifejacket, especially when boating or swimming in open water, adds an important layer of protection."
No matter how old you are, it's important to know your limits. "Adults, especially men, are a high demographic for the risk of drowning. If you feel hot or tired, take a break. Being aware while being active can save your life," Madison told Bored Panda.
"Drowning can happen silently and quickly. I encourage everyone to make water safety a shared responsibility. Know the risks, prepare for them, and look out for one another," she continued. "Anyone can drown. No one should."
Swimming doesn’t have to be a scary activity. In fact, it should be tons of fun! But you’ll only get to enjoy it if you take safety seriously. And if a lifeguard rescues you, please, be respectful to them.
Image credits: Unai82 (not the actual photo)
The lifeguard also responded to a couple of comments and provided more background information
Readers applauded the woman for being a hero and called out the man for his inappropriate comments
Some even had similar stories of their own to share
