COLUMBIA, S.C. — Following the recent drowning of a man in Kershaw County while swimming with friends, local officials are stressing the importance of water safety. News19 has reported six drownings over the past three months.
"Always be mindful of the water; these are not controlled environments. The water in the lakes and rivers is always changing due to weather," said Kershaw County Fire Chief Matthew Bullard.
Bullard was at the most recent incident on the Wateree River, where rescue efforts were made for the drowning swimmer. He explained their rescue protocol:
"We establish an incident command post and try to receive as much information from bystanders, family members, as many people as possible to figure out what took place and get a good idea of where to start searching, especially if we don't see any signs of the person being on shore," he said.
As time progresses, the rescue team keeps track of the duration since the incident was reported.
"We get divers in the water to try to perform searches to see if we can locate anybody," Bullard added.
Despite constant patrolling by water officials to minimize emergencies, Bullard emphasized the necessity of personal responsibility.
"It's necessary to stay hydrated, wear your life jacket, and know your limits," he said.
Becoming comfortable with the water is essential, Bullard advised.
To do so, find a shallow area where you can easily stand and have a floating device with you to help navigate the water. Practice putting your head underwater and coming up for a breath, then building a strong kick. Finally, combine these skills by kicking with your head submerged and turning or lifting your head to breathe as needed.
However, Bullard stressed that life jackets are crucial, regardless of your swimming experience.
"If you get into the water, whether you're a strong swimmer or not, you need to have that life jacket on," he said. "You never know what may happen. There could be a boat that comes through that you're not prepared for or that you don't see."