So if your spouse is drowning and you’re not a good swimmer you have to go die with them or you get in trouble? Obviously if there is a flotation device you’d use that but what if there isn’t like in a river or something?
I realize that other comments have already explained the law better than I could. I still wanted to say that fortunately, jumping in to drown alongside them doesn’t legally count as “helping,” so there is no expectations for anyone to do so.
I was hinting at the fact that drowning people will drown you to live themselves lol
Oh yes, I was cheekily agreeing with that. It’s always good to spread the information that the end result of a person who isn’t specifically trained in rescue swimming attempting to swim out and rescue a drowning person is almost always just the two drowning together, even if the would-be rescuer is an otherwise strong swimmer.
Note: I am not a lawyer.
You’re legally required to help, not risk your own life while doing so. If somebody is drowning you need to call the emergency services and if there is a rescue buoy close by you can throw that as well and try to pull them to shore that way.
I am not a lawyer, but I think in the majority of cases you should be covered by calling the emergency services.
As a side note: unless you’re a lifeguard or have had proper training, jumping in to save somebody drowning is dangerous. A person drowning will try to hold on to anything to stay afloat and will likely try to push you under trying to stay above water.