‘Drowning doesn’t look like you think it does’

Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team member Michael Fraley wants the public to understand just how quiet a drowning can be.

“The biggest thing we want to make people aware of is the drowning doesn’t look like you think it does, 

Aspirus MedEvac EMT Madison Weber, above, and Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team member Michael Fraley, below, want to save lives by raising awareness of the signs of drowning.
(Submitted photos)

it doesn’t look like what we see on television or the movies or even on the cartoons,” Fraley explained in a press release issued in conjunction with World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. “It’s really a silent action. People aren’t able to make noise when they’re drowning.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning claimed the lives of over 4,500 people each year from 2020 to 2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019. It is a leading cause of death among children and young people aged one to 24 years in many countries, according to the release, yet most drowning incidents are preventable with effective policies, education, and community action.

The Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team, a division of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, consists of 10 members including sheriff’s deputies and civilian volunteers. The team trains for drowning emergencies year-round.

In recognition of World Drowning Prevention Dayon July 25, the dive team and Aspirus teamed up to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drowning and to promote life-saving measures to prevent it.

“The most important thing is to not become a victim yourself,” noted Madison Weber, an Aspirus MedEvac EMT, based in Eagle River. “It can be a really dangerous situation to put yourself in if you were to go out and try and save somebody that could potentially be drowning. So, the most important thing would be to call 911 so they can get the appropriate resources to you in a timely manner. If you have any kind of flotation that you could throw to them, hopefully on a string that you could pull them in with, that would be a really good idea to do as well as keeping an eye on where they’re at in the water, just so you have their location.”

Recognizing the signs of drowning is crucial for identifying when someone might be in distress in the water. Here are some key signs:

Silent Mouth: Drowning individuals are usually unable to call for help. They might be struggling to breathe and unable to speak.

Ineffective Arm Movements: Instead of the typical splashing and waving associated with swimming, a drowning person might have their arms extended to the sides or pressing down to keep their head above water.

Vertical Position: Drowning individuals often cannot maintain a horizontal position in the water. They might appear to be climbing an invisible ladder or floating vertically.

Lack of Forward Progress: A person who is drowning might not be able to move toward safety or make progress toward a flotation device or shore.

Gasping or Hyperventilating: They may have a panicked expression and be gasping for air.

Glassy or Wide Eyes: Their eyes might appear wide open with a blank stare, showing fear or confusion.

Hair Over Forehead or Eyes: They might be unable to clear their face of water.

Hypothermia: In cold water, their skin might appear pale or bluish, and they might show signs of shivering or an inability to control body movements.

Sudden Disappearance: Drowning can occur quickly and silently, with the person slipping below the surface without much warning.

 “If you suspect someone is drowning, act quickly and call for emergency assistance,” the release states. 

According to Fraley, you don’t have too much time to react. “Twenty to 60 seconds, they say, before that person is going to be underneath the water.”

Once someone is pulled from the water, EMS on scene will begin lifesaving procedures. 

“We’re automatically going to start with our ABCs,” Weber explained. “We’re going to check our airway, their breathing, their circulation, check for any signs of trauma. We’re going to check for any life threats like major bleeding. We’re going to treat anything that we see there. If they don’t have a pulse, we’re going to start our cardiac arrest protocol, stop the bleeding.”

Local communities play a crucial role in preventing drowning, according to the release. Community leaders, schools, and local organizations are encouraged to organize events and activities that promote water safety awareness and education. The Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team recently held its annual Minocqua Island Swim Challenge to raise awareness and to raise funds for their team to continue training in the event they’re needed. Aspirus MedEvac provided on-site support for the event with its bike team.