Reach or Throw, Don’t Go

By: Brea Merhar BCBA, CEO, Co-Founder
June 6, 2024

When traveling by airplane, I’ve never been a fan of the saying “put your mask on first before someone else”. Why would I wait to help someone I care for? I understand the concept, but accepting it feels like I would be losing someone close to me. I’ve been more accepting of the statement the more I work with families in the pool setting. In the water setting, there’s a similar saying “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go.”

What is “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go”?

“Reach or Throw, Don’t Go” is a safety strategy that emphasizes rescuing a distressed swimmer by throwing them a flotation device instead of jumping in to save them. This approach minimizes the risk to both the rescuer and the person in need. Here’s why this method is so important:

Prevents Double Drowning: The risk of two people with limited swim skills is at higher risk for injury and double drowning. A distressed swimmer may also unintentionally pull the ‘rescuer’ underwater in their panic, leading to another way for potential double drowning. Throwing a flotation device keeps you safe while providing the swimmer with something to hold onto.
Reduces Panic: Simply seeing a flotation device can help calm a distressed swimmer, making it easier for them to hold on and stay afloat until more help arrives.
Quick and Effective: Flotation devices can often be thrown quickly and accurately, providing immediate assistance without the delay of someone entering the water.

How to Implement “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go” during an Emergency

Water safety is crucial for everyone, including neurodivergent individuals who might have unique needs and responses in emergencies. Here’s how to apply the “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go” method with inclusivity in mind.

Assess the Situation
• Remain Calm: Take a deep breath and model a regulated and composed response. This can be done by speaking in a calm and reassuring tone.
• Evaluate the Risk: Determine if it’s safe for you to attempt a rescue from where you are.
• Understand Reactions: Be aware that neurodivergent individuals might react differently in emergencies. Look for signs of distress or non-verbal cues.
Alert Others
• Call for Help: Yell for assistance to alert others nearby.
• Contact Emergency Services: If possible, have someone call emergency services immediately.
• Use Clear Communication: Use simple and direct language to explain what is happening.
Reach or Throw
• Use a Reaching Device:
– Find a Long Object: Look for a pole, pool noodle, stick, towel, or any long object. Be mindful of sensory sensitivities and if possible, provide options for reaching or throwing.
    – Stay on Solid Ground: Ensure you are securely on the ground, dock, or poolside.
    – Get low: If you’re reaching out to the swimmer, lie down or kneel to maintain stability and avoid being pulled into the water.
    – Extend the Object: Reach out to the distressed swimmer with the object, instructing them to grab it. Use clear, simple language or visual cues if needed.
    – Pull Them to Safety: Slowly and steadily pull the swimmer towards you, keeping yourself stable. Provide constant reassurance and clear simple instructions.
• Throw a Flotation Device:
    – Find a Flotation Device: Look for a life ring, life jacket, pool noodle or any buoyant object.
    – Aim and Throw: Use clear language about what you are doing and what to expect. Throw the flotation device close to the swimmer so they can easily reach it, be mindful of motor skills and be prepared with other options.
    – Instruct the Swimmer: Encourage the swimmer to grab the device and hold on tightly.
    – Monitor and Reassure: Keep talking to the swimmer, reassuring them until help arrives or you are able to pull them in.
Provide Further Assistance
• Reassure the Swimmer: Keep the swimmer calm by modeling and talking to them and providing comfort and reassurance.
• Monitor the Situation: Continuously observe the swimmer and ensure they are holding on to the flotation device or object securely if they are still in the water.
Wait for Professional Help
• Stay with the Swimmer: Do not leave the swimmer alone. Stay nearby until professional help arrives.
• Provide Information: When emergency responders arrive, give them all the necessary details about the situation.

Where could this be implemented?

Awareness of bodies of water in your community is crucial, particularly for individuals prone to wandering or bolting.

• Beach/ Lake/ River/ Ponds: Natural bodies of water can present unique challenges such as currents, changing depths, and underwater obstacles, increasing the risk of emergencies.

• Public/ Private Pool: Despite lifeguards and safety protocols, accidents can happen in crowded public pools or private pools due to slips, falls, fatigue or oversight.

• Boating Trips: Unexpected events such as someone falling overboard or encountering rough waters, requiring immediate assistance.

How To Prepare

Communication, sensory overload, and cognitive awareness are a few barriers that neurodivergent individuals might face in water environments. These challenges can make it difficult for them to understand and respond to safety instructions, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

Swim lessons can help prepare for events through:

   • Exposing and presenting opportunities to engage with floats during swim lessons. For those who are more resistant, this can help normalize and increase tolerance over time.
   • Creating opportunities through games and reinforcing activities to work on a variety of motor skills such as grasping, reaching, and pulling.
   • Practicing parts of the sequence (working toward the full sequence) of grabbing a float and waiting or being pulled to the edge as an engaging activity in during lessons.
   • Implementing simple and safety directions through games, activities and direct instruction.

We believe inclusion matters. We believe anyone can make progress in and around the water with the right teaching strategies. We believe through education; more families can be included in water-based environments and will be more equipped to prevent drownings.

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