ACA Safety & Rescue Instructor Alliance

Resources

Event Resources

This group is for both instructors and participants to access resources and connect with each other.

Event Management Considerations

Certified ACA Instructors can host a World Drowning Prevention Day Event following these guidelines.

Prevent Drowning Overview

Key statistics and seven actions to prevent drowning deaths. This can be printed as a handout or poster.

Prevent Drowning Sticker

This 5 x 3.3" sticker has a visual overview of the 7 key steps to prevent drowning.

En Español

Siete Acciones Para Salvar a Alguien de un Ahogamiento

Folleto o póster con estadísticas clave y siete acciones para prevenir muertes por ahogamiento.

Sticker: Prevenga el Ahogamiento

Este sticker de 5 x 3.3" muestra los 7 pasos clave para prevenir el ahogamiento.

Committee Statements and ACA Policy

Drowning Education

Safety and Rescue Committee's Statement Regarding Drowning Education

Safety and Rescue Committee's Statement Regarding Hypothermia

Team Resilience

Safety and Rescue Committee's Position Statement: Team Resilience in Swiftwater Rescue

Equipment and Gear

ACA Moving Water and Whitewater Equipment and Gear Policy

Reference Guide

Seven Actions to Save Someone from Drowning

Step 1

Call for Help

Activate the Emergency Medical System (EMS) and recruit nearby assistance.

Step 2

Remove from Water

If Responsive

Tell them to swim.
Reach/throw assist.
Wear a PFD to go.
Splash for self-defence.
Tow to shore.

If Unresponsive

Wear a PFD and make contact.
Roll face up.
Give rescue breaths when possible.
Tow face-up.

Step 3

Place High & Dry

Move the victim onto a firm, dry surface to allow effective CPR and AED use.

Step 4

Give 5 Initial Rescue Breaths

Open the airway.
Pinch the nose for mouth-to-mouth ventilations.
Give ventilations using mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask, or a bag-valve-mask (BVM) if available and trained.
Ventilate through foam if present.
Each breath should produce visible chest rise.

Step 5

Remove Restrictive Equipment

Remove equipment or clothing that interferes with:

Airway management
Rescue breathing
Chest compressions
AED pad placement

Step 6

CPR & AED

Perform CPR using a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio.
Reassess after approximately 2 minutes (5 cycles) if trained to do so.
No pulse: Continue CPR.
Pulse present but not breathing: Give 1 ventilation every 5 seconds.
Children (1–8 years) with two rescuers: Use a 15:2 ratio.
Apply an AED as soon as available and follow its prompts.

Step 7

Seek Medical & Emotional Support

Anyone who has experienced a drowning event should receive medical evaluation, even if they appear to recover.
Rescuers, family members, and witnesses may also benefit from emotional or psychological support following the incident.

Developed in collaboration with

American Canoe Association (ACA) Safety & Rescue Instructor Alliance (SARIA) Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary