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Original poster

I saved a life today and it was surreal

75 replies

Paq · 25/12/2022 16:30

Christmas morning in my town in the far south west, there were 100s of people down on the local beach, lots in swimming.

I was heading into the sea with my family group and there was a man, face down in the sea, being moved around by the surf.

He in his 80s (?) and had gone out for a swim in just trunks. He was only 1-2 metres from the shore, in thigh high water, but he had gotten so cold and disoriented he was just silently and peacefully drowning while dozens of people were absorbed in their own family groups and fun. He had lost the ability think about getting his feet under him to stand up.

I got his face out of the water and he just blinked up at me. My mum (73! and also going in for a swim) and I got him to his feet and up the beach to where his towel and clothes were. He was still really out of it but we could tell he was going to be ok.

The whole incident was bizarre. Literally no one else noticed him drowning or us rescuing him. They were so caught up in their own thing. This is how kids drown in crowded pools, isn't it?

Drowning is silent, there's no splashing about, no cries for help. Even after I hauled him up and asked if he was ok he didn't say anything. He wasn't loud panicking, it was like he'd half shut down.

It should have been a safe day today. It was a mild temperature, low tide so shallow entry, small, non-powerful surf.

A long time afterwards a couple of people nearby said they thought he was just enjoying floating in the waves. Because he wasn't panicking.

Anyway, if you are by the sea this Christmas, look around, check if everyone is ok. Happy Christmas everyone.

OP posts:

SweetSakura · 25/12/2022 17:34

I assume an ambulance was called for him though. I mean well done, absolutely, but he would have still needed hospital attention

Original poster

Paq · 25/12/2022 17:37

No ambulances or coastguards needed thankfully. We watched him (from a respectful distance!) get dressed before he headed home. He even jogged a bit up and down the beach to get warm. He was elderly but "sprightly" but it was amazing how quickly the cold overtook him in the sea. And it was a mild day today.

We're in Cornwall BTW.

OP posts:

Escapetothecatshome · 25/12/2022 17:52

Your his christmas guardian angel Xx
Well done Op xxx

elevenplusdilemma · 25/12/2022 18:15

Wow well done you. So many people turn a blind eye / don't notice what's going on.
I was in a situation a few weeks ago where I noticed that somebody was at immediate risk of harm. I was one of maybe 15 people who were present and could have seen what was happening and yet it was only me who called for help (the story is a bit outing if I go into too much detail but it wasn't a scenario where I could actively approach / help the person myself, but had to dial 999 to desperately try and get help to save them in time). Unfortunately the outcome wasn't good in my story and a family will be spending a very shit Christmas without their loved one today. Thank goodness the family of the man in your story won't be in the same situation.

SkylightSkylight · 25/12/2022 18:33

Fufumcgoo · 25/12/2022 17:18

Secondary drowning is not a thing

Tell that to the families that have had a loved ones die from it,

Betwixlass · 25/12/2022 18:36

Wow well done OP. The cold creeps up on you it’s easy to go numb. You did a good thing.

dizzydizzydizzy · 25/12/2022 18:37

@Fufumcgoo this is incorrect. I am a lifeguard. Secondary drowning is a thing.

dizzydizzydizzy · 25/12/2022 18:38

Well done OP! Very true that drowning is quiet.

Emmamoo89 · 25/12/2022 18:44

Fufumcgoo · 25/12/2022 17:18

Secondary drowning is not a thing

Yes it is

CornishTiger · 25/12/2022 18:48

@Paq well done for your quick thinking.

SweetSakura · 25/12/2022 18:50

Secondary drowning absolutely is a thing, and the reason I had always understood from first aid courses/lifeguard training that a hospital assessment was required if someone was rescued from drowning

Hellocatshome · 25/12/2022 18:54

If its possible someone has inhaled water especially saltwater they should always be checked out in hospital. I'm quite confused by the dramatic title of saving a life then the apparent casual attitude of oh he was fine after a few minutes.

KylieCharlene · 25/12/2022 18:55

You are amazing OP. Well done.

ArticSaviour · 25/12/2022 19:00

Well done - he is very lucky.

We were in a busy family pool abroad and a child was splashing and shouting. Thought it was irritating, until I realised they were drowning. Thankfully someone else realised a second or two before me and so was already moving towards him to help.

He was OK but had legged it away from his family, jumped in and was out of his depth.

Original poster

Paq · 25/12/2022 19:18

Hellocatshome · 25/12/2022 18:54

I think for me the equivalent is grabbing hold of someone before they fall over a cliff. He was fine but was seconds away from being fine and no one else was paying any attention. One person I was with said afterwards they saw him but thought he was just enjoying the sea. That how calm he was.

OP posts:

Original poster

Paq · 25/12/2022 19:19

*seconds away from not being fine I meant to say.

OP posts:

Original poster

Paq · 25/12/2022 19:20

Also, thanks all. I didn't do anything special except just pay attention. I was never in danger myself and the whole thing was over in minutes.

OP posts:

cptartapp · 25/12/2022 19:30

Well done. DH saved a woman in rough seas in Cyprus also floating face down a few years ago. It was surreal. Tens of people around in the surf and no one else noticed.
He was quite the hotel hero.

TheDogsMother · 25/12/2022 19:41

Thank goodness for you OP, well done. I was saved from drowning off a beach in Menorca aged 18. One minute I was by the beach next thing I was dragged out into the sea breathing my last. A man who looked liked Jesus appeared from nowhere at the moment when I thought it was all over and dragged me back to shore !

A few years later I was lying in the sun by a pool at a Greek hotel when a toddler fell sideways into it. I leapt up and jumped in getting the toddler out and onto the side. Mum woke up from her lounger and said 'oh don't worry DD is fine jumping in and swimming then went back to sleep on her lounger 🤣.

Well done you and everyone looking out for each other.

beekindx · 25/12/2022 19:44

Fufumcgoo · 25/12/2022 17:18

Secondary drowning is not a thing

It really is.

DuchessDandelion · 25/12/2022 19:45

Well done, op, pleased you were there to notice and act.
I would have called an ambulance though because of secondary drowning - he absolutely needs to be observed by medics tonight - and also because of his age.

Original poster

Paq · 25/12/2022 19:59

Tens of people around in the surf and no one else noticed.
Exactly like that. Surreal. Well done your DH @cptartapp.

OP posts:

Mistletoekiss · 25/12/2022 20:16

I saved a life once. Narc DM wasn’t grateful. Even used it to have a go at me 😞

Findyourneutralspace · 25/12/2022 20:21

Well done OP. I’m an outdoor swimmer and it’s quite scary how quickly hyperthermia can kick in. The weird thing is that after the cold water buzz you can start feeling warm, but your body is still cooling. That’s the danger zone.
Its so important not to swim alone. I’ve seen a couple of people get struck by it, and it’s important to look out for other swimmers.
You did great today and I’m sure the old chap will be grateful you were there.

NorthernGnashers · 25/12/2022 20:28

Well done OP, I hope this man had medical attention afterwards.

Has anyone read the Thomas Hardy short story "Fellow Townsmen"? This incident reminds me of it.

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