How to Rescue a Drowning Person at a Greenville Pool

Act immediately—call 911, then get the person out of the water

If someone is drowning at a Greenville pool, your first action is to call 911 while someone else retrieves the person from the water. Do not wait to see if they surface again or if a lifeguard notices. Drowning happens silently and in seconds. If you are alone, shout for help first, then call 911 on your phone while moving toward the pool.

Once the person is out of the water, begin CPR immediately if they are not breathing and you know how to perform it. If you do not know CPR, the 911 dispatcher can guide you through chest compressions over the phone. Do not move the person's neck or spine unless there is immediate danger—spinal injuries are possible in diving accidents. Keep the person on their back, clear their airway of debris, and continue CPR until emergency responders arrive or the person begins breathing on their own.

Greenville Fire-Rescue responds to all water emergencies in the city, including public pools, community centers, and private facilities. Their response time is typically under five minutes in most Greenville neighborhoods. The dispatcher will ask for the exact location of the pool and the person's condition, so have that information ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

• Call 911 immediately—do not assume a lifeguard will handle it or that the person will surface on their own.
• Get the person out of the water and begin CPR if they are not breathing, or follow the dispatcher's instructions if you do not know CPR.
• Greenville Fire-Rescue handles water rescues at all public and private pools in the city and typically arrives within five minutes.
• Do not move the person's neck or spine unless they are in immediate danger, as spinal injuries can occur in diving or jumping accidents.
• After rescue, the person will need hospital evaluation even if they seem to recover, because water can enter the lungs hours later.

CPR and rescue breathing for a non-responsive person

If the person is not breathing after you pull them from the water, CPR is the most important thing you can do while waiting for emergency responders. Place the heel of one hand on the center of their chest, place your other hand on top, and push hard and fast at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Push at least two inches deep. If you know rescue breathing, give two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you do not know rescue breathing, hands-only CPR—chest compressions alone—is effective and easier to perform under stress.

The 911 dispatcher in Greenville can walk you through CPR step-by-step if you have never done it before. Stay on the phone with them and follow their instructions exactly. Do not stop CPR until the person begins breathing on their own, emergency responders take over, or you are physically unable to continue. Even if the person vomits or seems unresponsive, continue compressions—CPR can restart the heart and restore breathing.

Recognizing drowning before it becomes an emergency

Drowning does not look like what people see in movies. A drowning person usually cannot call for help, thrash around, or wave their arms. Instead, they may be silent, with their mouth at water level, their head tilted back, or their body upright in the water. They may appear to be treading water or floating but will not respond when you speak to them. Children can drown in as little as two minutes in shallow water.

If you see someone in this condition, get them out of the water immediately. Do not wait for them to ask for help or for a lifeguard to notice. Tap them on the shoulder, call their name, and if they do not respond, pull them out. If they are breathing and conscious, keep them warm and calm while you call 911. If they are not breathing, begin CPR right away.

What happens after Greenville Fire-Rescue arrives

When emergency responders reach the pool, they will take over CPR if it is still in progress and assess the person's breathing, heart rate, and responsiveness. They will place the person on a stretcher and transport them to a hospital, usually Greenville Memorial Hospital or St. Francis Downtown, depending on the pool's location and the person's condition. Do not assume the person is fine because they are breathing or conscious—water aspiration and secondary drowning can develop hours after the initial incident.

Provide the responders with information about how long the person was in the water, whether they hit their head, and any medical conditions you know about. This information helps the hospital provide the right treatment. Stay with the person if you are a family member or close friend, and ask to ride in the ambulance if possible.

CPR training in Greenville

The American Red Cross and American Heart Association both offer CPR certification courses in Greenville. These courses teach you how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform chest compressions, use a defibrillator, and give rescue breathing. Most courses take three to four hours and cost between $60 and $100. Certification is valid for two years.

Greenville Parks and Recreation sometimes offers CPR classes at community centers, and many local hospitals and urgent care clinics provide training as well. Search online for "CPR certification Greenville SC" to find courses near you. If you work at a pool, lifeguard, or spend time around water with children, CPR training is worth the time and cost—it can save a life.

Prevention: reducing drowning risk at Greenville pools

Most drowning incidents are preventable. Assign one adult to watch each child in the water, and that adult should not be distracted by phones, conversations, or other activities. Teach children to swim, but do not rely on swimming ability alone—even strong swimmers can panic or get into trouble. Use life jackets for weak swimmers and young children, even at pools with lifeguards.

Know the pool's rules and safety equipment. Public pools in Greenville are required to have lifeguards on duty during operating hours, rescue equipment including ring buoys and reaching poles, and first aid kits. Private pools and community centers may have different staffing levels, so ask about supervision when you arrive. Never leave a child unattended near water, even for a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I see someone drowning but I cannot swim?

Call 911 immediately and shout for help. Do not enter the water if you cannot swim—you will likely become a second victim. Throw a flotation device, ring buoy, or rope to the person if one is nearby. Greenville Fire-Rescue is trained for water rescue and will arrive quickly.

Can I get in trouble for performing CPR on someone?

No. South Carolina's Good Samaritan law protects people who perform CPR or first aid in good faith during an emergency. You cannot be sued for injuries that occur while you are trying to save someone's life.

What is secondary drowning?

Secondary drowning occurs when water enters the lungs after the initial incident, causing breathing problems hours later. This is why anyone who has been pulled from the water should go to the hospital for evaluation, even if they seem fine. Watch for coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or unusual behavior in the hours after a water incident.

Are there lifeguards at all Greenville pools?

Public pools operated by Greenville Parks and Recreation have lifeguards on duty during all operating hours. Private pools, apartment complexes, and community centers may vary. Always ask about lifeguard presence when you arrive at a pool, and do not assume supervision is available.

How do I report an unsafe pool or missing safety equipment?

Contact Greenville Parks and Recreation at their main office or call the city's non-emergency line to report safety concerns at public pools. For private pools or community centers, contact the facility manager directly or report to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control if the pool is not meeting state safety standards.