Uroš Staletović explained to Kurir Television how to react properly when you notice someone drowning and no lifeguard is nearby. The emphasis is on your own safety and using floating objects.
The summer season is at its peak, and crowds at beaches, rivers, and seas bring potentially dangerous situations every day. Although the first instinct for many is to jump in and help the person in distress, it is precisely in that reaction that the biggest trap lies. Uroš Staletović, a water rescue instructor, warned in an interview with Kurir Television about the key mistakes untrained individuals make when attempting a rescue, which can lead to a double tragedy.
Staletović emphasized the importance of checking the conditions at the beach before entering the water. "Every beach has its operating hours, and it's important to find out when lifeguards are on duty," he said. He cited Ada Ciganlija in Belgrade as an example of a safe beach. He warned that people often come outside the lifeguards' working hours, either early in the morning or late in the evening, to avoid crowds and heat, without considering that there is no one to respond in case of an accident. Lifeguards are easiest to spot by their positions on lifeguard towers and their distinctive uniforms, usually yellow shirts.
The instructor particularly stressed that the priority is always the safety of the person helping. "The most important thing is not to endanger our own life," Staletović warned. He explained that every rescue operation is inherently dangerous for the rescuer as well. A drowning person can, in a certain phase of panic, become extremely aggressive and instinctively grab onto anything within reach. "It has happened that even a child in such a situation can overpower an adult trying to help, and in the end, we get two victims," he recounted. Therefore, it is crucial to realistically assess your own swimming abilities and knowledge of rescue techniques before any intervention.
Instead of directly physically subduing the victim, Staletović advises using any floating object. "It's best to use something that floats on the water, so we don't have to directly physically subdue the drowning person," he said. This could be a kickboard, a ball, or even an inflatable mattress. The goal is to give the person in distress something to hold onto to stay afloat until professional help arrives. At the same time, anyone can call emergency services, firefighters, or the police without delay. If you are a confident and experienced swimmer and assess that it is not a case of active drowning but, for example, a cramp, it is possible to establish verbal communication and provide controlled assistance.
Once the victim is out of the water, new mistakes often occur. Staletović is clear: "People who are not medical professionals should not administer medication on their own or recommend it on their own initiative." Instead, the basic first aid that anyone can provide includes moving the person out of direct sunlight, placing them in a cooler or shaded area, and applying cold compresses to the neck and head. It is necessary to offer plenty of fluids. For milder cases of heatstroke, symptoms like headache and nausea should subside after rest. The most important thing is to stay calm and provide basic care until professional help arrives.
His advice comes at a time when Mediterranean resorts are packed with tourists. As Kurir previously reported, a dramatic incident occurred in Letojani, Sicily, where a British national fell ill after coming out of the sea. Thanks to the quick reaction of a doctor from Belgrade who happened to be on the beach, first aid was provided until the arrival of emergency services, which transported him to the hospital.
