At the moment of falling into the water, a person’s brain will go blank, and their limbs will unconsciously move around. Many people struggle desperately and shout loudly. Little did they know that wasting energy like this would actually lead to drowning. Experts remind that in order to survive in water, one must have confidence, remain calm and patient, adjust breathing, minimize physical exertion, and wait for the arrival of rescuers.
Floatation is a necessary skill for survival on water, and the most energy-efficient “jellyfish float” style should be chosen. After inhaling, the whole body should relax and float on the water surface, with limbs naturally drooping, floating quietly on the water like a jellyfish. When needed to inhale, hands should be lifted up to the forehead and pushed outward, then lifted up to spit out and inhale, and then lowered their head and closed their breath to return to the floating position.
In addition, you can also “step on the water”. The basic point is to keep the body upright, with the head and neck exposed to the water, use both hands to paddle and float, and use both legs to step and circle in the water, similar to the egg stirring action during cooking.
If you are a naturally born dry duck, you can use your clothes to save yourself. For example, wearing a long sleeved shirt, after inhaling on the water surface, one can lower their head and blow air from the collar of the shirt into the garment. They can hold onto the collar with both hands to prevent air leakage and form airbags on the shoulder and back of the garment. You can also fully fasten the zipper and buttons, pull the hem of the clothes out of the water with one hand, and beat the water splashes into the clothes to inflate with the other hand.
If the top is sleeveless, pants can be used. In a floating position, pull down the pants or swing your legs, take off the pants, tie the ends of the pants together, lift the waist out of the water with one hand, and use the other hand to splash water inside the pants, filling them with air and creating airbags. Alternatively, after tying the pants, grab one side of the waist with both hands, place the pants behind the head, and push forward with both hands from behind the head to inflate them. Drowners should also catch floating objects in the water, such as open boxes, buckets, basins, fuel tanks, etc. They can press the opening under the water surface or seal it as a floating tool to prolong the “life-saving time” as much as possible.
