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American Morning
Swim Safety
Aired June 17, 2003 - 09:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The summer has not yet officially started. Already, though, a number of reports of tragedies at the beach. Nine people died in one incident about a week ago, Florida panhandle, because of a rip current there, including former colleague Larry Lamont, our friend here at CNN.
Kathryn Jayne of the American Red Cross is at Hollover (ph) Beach in Miami today here to talk about what you need to know.
Kathryn, good to talk to you, Miss Jayne. Good morning to you there down in Miami.
I know there are different things talk about for adults and children.
First, the children what do they need to know before going into the water?
KATHRYN JAYNE, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Well, first of all, they need to have some sort of water safety lessons, whether formal swimming training. But more importantly, they need to be supervised by grown- ups, by adults.
HEMMER: What about the adults? They become victims as well. You tell them what?
JAYNE: Yes, they do. Adults need to use common sense. If they're not good swimmers, and they should know what kind of water they're getting into. Certainly don't mix alcohol and don't literally get in over your head.
HEMMER: We have some video here that we can show, a bit of a demonstration here, about what happens essentially when someone gets in trouble and a lot of people want to help out quickly. Oftentimes it's not the best advice given. Take us through why that is the case.
JAYNE: It's not the best advice to rush in if you're not trained as a professional rescuer, because then we're stuck with two potential drowning victims.
However, there are things you can do to help in an emergency situation, if you do see someone struggling or drowning in the water.
HEMMER: Such as what?
JAYNE: Well, first is to respond. If you recognize that someone is having trouble in the water, you need to call for help. Decide to actually call for help. If you're at a supervised pool or beach, get a lifeguard, if you're not, have someone go call 911. You want to get help there as fast as you can.
HEMMER: There are flags posted sometimes at very popular and public beaches. What should you know about how to read those flags and what they und kate?
JAYNE: Well, as you know, we're not all experts on how to read those flags, and most beaches post also, the warning flags have some sort of symbol on it that will talk to you about whether or not you can even get in the water, or if there are riptides or undertows there. They're fairly self-explanatory when you look at them.
HEMMER: Are they color-coded? What are they?
JAYNE: They are color-coded.
HEMMER: You have a few bits of advice here I want to put on the screen to our viewers. Some of the stuff really follows a lot of common sense and logic, but it's an important message to get out anyway. Trust your gut and act quickly, find a lifeguard, 911, reach out your arm or throw a lifeline, and get trained in CPR.
I think number four is a great thing to know.
Also, if you think you are a victim of a drowning, don't panic, sometimes easier said than done. Yell for help, and then ride it out. Is it true that if you're caught in a rip current that you're supposed to turn and actually face the ocean as opposed to the shore?
JAYNE: Well, currents can be pulling you either towards the shore or away from the shore. The general rule is to go with it. You want to swim parallel to the shore with the current. If the current's taking you towards the shore, then hopefully you'll be able to put your feet down and exit the water. If it's taking you out, eventually that current will end and you'll be able to swim around and head back to shore. Don't struggle against it.
HEMMER: How do you teach people to keep the proper frame of mind if they feel they are in trouble?
JAYNE: Other than telling you not to panic, you are your best help. If you are in a situation where you're beginning to panic, then you're going to become a drowning victim. If you can just remain calm, that's what we teach people. Take a deep breath. There are survival floating techniques where you can relax your body as you get your withers about you. Don't panic.
HEMMER: Here's to a safe summer. It will kick off officially on the calendar in the next weekend, but a lot of people are already at the beach.
Katherine Jayne, Hollover (ph) Beach in Miami, from the Red Cross, thanks for talking and sharing with us.
JAYNE: You're very welcome. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 17, 2003 - 09:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The summer has not yet officially started. Already, though, a number of reports of tragedies at the beach. Nine people died in one incident about a week ago, Florida panhandle, because of a rip current there, including former colleague Larry Lamont, our friend here at CNN.
Kathryn Jayne of the American Red Cross is at Hollover (ph) Beach in Miami today here to talk about what you need to know.
Kathryn, good to talk to you, Miss Jayne. Good morning to you there down in Miami.
I know there are different things talk about for adults and children.
First, the children what do they need to know before going into the water?
KATHRYN JAYNE, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Well, first of all, they need to have some sort of water safety lessons, whether formal swimming training. But more importantly, they need to be supervised by grown- ups, by adults.
HEMMER: What about the adults? They become victims as well. You tell them what?
JAYNE: Yes, they do. Adults need to use common sense. If they're not good swimmers, and they should know what kind of water they're getting into. Certainly don't mix alcohol and don't literally get in over your head.
HEMMER: We have some video here that we can show, a bit of a demonstration here, about what happens essentially when someone gets in trouble and a lot of people want to help out quickly. Oftentimes it's not the best advice given. Take us through why that is the case.
JAYNE: It's not the best advice to rush in if you're not trained as a professional rescuer, because then we're stuck with two potential drowning victims.
However, there are things you can do to help in an emergency situation, if you do see someone struggling or drowning in the water.
HEMMER: Such as what?
JAYNE: Well, first is to respond. If you recognize that someone is having trouble in the water, you need to call for help. Decide to actually call for help. If you're at a supervised pool or beach, get a lifeguard, if you're not, have someone go call 911. You want to get help there as fast as you can.
HEMMER: There are flags posted sometimes at very popular and public beaches. What should you know about how to read those flags and what they und kate?
JAYNE: Well, as you know, we're not all experts on how to read those flags, and most beaches post also, the warning flags have some sort of symbol on it that will talk to you about whether or not you can even get in the water, or if there are riptides or undertows there. They're fairly self-explanatory when you look at them.
HEMMER: Are they color-coded? What are they?
JAYNE: They are color-coded.
HEMMER: You have a few bits of advice here I want to put on the screen to our viewers. Some of the stuff really follows a lot of common sense and logic, but it's an important message to get out anyway. Trust your gut and act quickly, find a lifeguard, 911, reach out your arm or throw a lifeline, and get trained in CPR.
I think number four is a great thing to know.
Also, if you think you are a victim of a drowning, don't panic, sometimes easier said than done. Yell for help, and then ride it out. Is it true that if you're caught in a rip current that you're supposed to turn and actually face the ocean as opposed to the shore?
JAYNE: Well, currents can be pulling you either towards the shore or away from the shore. The general rule is to go with it. You want to swim parallel to the shore with the current. If the current's taking you towards the shore, then hopefully you'll be able to put your feet down and exit the water. If it's taking you out, eventually that current will end and you'll be able to swim around and head back to shore. Don't struggle against it.
HEMMER: How do you teach people to keep the proper frame of mind if they feel they are in trouble?
JAYNE: Other than telling you not to panic, you are your best help. If you are in a situation where you're beginning to panic, then you're going to become a drowning victim. If you can just remain calm, that's what we teach people. Take a deep breath. There are survival floating techniques where you can relax your body as you get your withers about you. Don't panic.
HEMMER: Here's to a safe summer. It will kick off officially on the calendar in the next weekend, but a lot of people are already at the beach.
Katherine Jayne, Hollover (ph) Beach in Miami, from the Red Cross, thanks for talking and sharing with us.
JAYNE: You're very welcome. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
