Understanding AVIR Syndrome: Preventing Rescue Tragedies

Drowning is a leading cause of preventable death globally, but there’s another tragic statistic that often goes unnoticed—the drowning of would-be rescuers. This phenomenon, known as Aquatic Victim-Instead-of-Rescuer (AVIR) syndrome, occurs when an untrained individual drowns while attempting to save another. Data collected in one New Zealand study, revealed a majority of AVIR tragedies were men, fathers or upstanders.

Don’t Go in the Water

The urge to jump in to help someone in distress is a natural, instinctive response known as “rescue altruism.” However, an American Red Cross report reveals: in over 45.5% of cases, rescue attempts resulted in multiple drownings, with an average of 2–3 rescuers losing their lives in these incidents. Parents and first-degree relatives make up 76% of rescuer drownings, with males being overrepresented nine to one.

Most drowning rescues occur when people are unfamiliar with the water location. Remember: even adults and strong swimmers can be overwhelmed by panic and challenging conditions.

Remember ‘Reach, Throw, Don’t Go’

This safety mantra is simple but life-saving, using rescue equipment proven to be most effective in emergencies.

Before diving into the water, call out to the person in distress and provide clear instructions. If one is present, get the attention of a lifeguard and have a bystander call 911.

Rather than diving into the water:

Reach: Use a pole, branch, towel, or other extendable object from a safe position on solid ground.

Throw: If a floatation device like a lifebuoy, rescue line, or even a beach ball is available nearby, throw it to the person in distress while maintaining a safe distance from the water.

Don’t Go: Avoid entering the water to attempt a rescue yourself unless you’ve been trained in aquatic rescues.

To prevent an individual drowning or AVIR tragedy, focus on preparation and education. The safety and rescue skills of the supervising adult make a critical difference in the survival of the victim. Learn to recognize the signs of drowning and get CPR certified. Only take your family swimming where a lifeguard is on duty and don’t swim if the conditions are rough or rip currents are present. Keep your eyes on your child anytime they are near the water.

Remember that while the impulse to dive in to help is natural, proper training and non-contact rescue techniques could be the solution to save multiple lives.


January 28, 2025