What steps should be taken to rescue a conscious swimmer in distress?

When a conscious swimmer is in distress, the most effective approach is to calmly encourage them to swim to safety. This method prioritizes both the swimmer's safety and your own, as it avoids adding to their panic or distress. By remaining calm and offering clear, supportive guidance, you help maintain the swimmer's ability to focus on their own breath and movement, which may enable them to regain control and swim to a safe location.

Engaging directly with the swimmer from a safe distance demonstrates your readiness to assist without overwhelming them. This technique fosters communication and creates a supportive environment, which can significantly affect the swimmer’s ability to respond positively to instructions.

Calling for help from the shore does not provide immediate assistance and may not effectively address the swimmer’s needs in the moment. Similarly, jumping in to pull them out forcefully could lead to further panic or prove dangerous for both individuals if the swimmer is struggling. The focus on encouraging the swimmer to take action fosters empowerment and helps promote a self-rescue mindset.