The STAAR Method.

What many people do not realize is that drowning is a very quick process. In the last video shown, (Which can also be seen here), the girl flips out of her tube and begins drowning at :30. By the time the lifeguard got to her, fifteen seconds had gone by. What you didn't probably know is that it only takes 30 seconds for one to go from a active victim (someone who is flailing and drowning) to an unconscious victim, at the bottom of the pool.(Wilson, "Water saftey expert: 'drowning doesn't just happen'") The first step to prevent deaths by drowning in general is by using the STAAR method and saving life's before they even go under and need to be given CPR.  The star method is quite simple. It goes as followed.

S- Scan - (scan the pool, within 20 seconds, your head should go from your left shoulder, to your right shoulder, scanning the top, middle, and bottom of the pool for struggling, or unconscious swimmers.)

T- Target - see the man "drowning"?

A- Assess - Assess the situation, is the man underwater moving his arms around or is he stiff?
 Many ask about how lifeguards know the difference between who is play drowning and really drowning. Lifeguards tend to look for facial expressions, such as what my guarding community calls the "OH SHIT" eyes. "OH SHIT" eyes are those who look as if they had just seen a ghost, they're eyes are open extremely wide, with their mouth slightly open sometimes as if they want to speak but can't get the words to come out.

A-Alert - ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING BEFORE JUMPING IN. Lifeguards have whistle in order to notify other lifeguards that they are going in and need to have their zones covered, notify their managers in order for them to call 911 ( depending on the whistle count and/or length being blown) and also notify patrons for them to move out of the way for when you are jumping/ swimming towards the victim. If at a pool party with no lifeguard, atleast scream to get others attention, they can then call 911 if necessary or come help also.

R-Rescue - Finally, rescue the victim, check to make sure they are okay if conscious, most likely they will still be in shock so calm them down by ensuring them that you are a here to help! Get them thinking again by asking them their name and age while swimming to the nearest edge. ( Gathering information can also help the paramedics by giving them a background of the situation)