It’s called the doggy paddle for a reason! Dog breeds including Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, in certain places, are incredibly skilled in the water. In fact, the use of lifeguard dogs works to retrieve the victims quicker. Thus, many are trained to become lifeguards. There, they patrol the beaches and, if necessary, save people from drowning, working alongside the human lifeguards. Unlike humans, these dogs are able to jump from helicopters and speeding boats in order to save someone.
The training begins when the dogs are puppies until the age of three. They work alongside a human lifeguard, learning to recognize the signs of a drowning person and which route is the safest.
In terms of the actual rescue, the dogs rush to the water, carrying a rescue tube with them. The dog then carries the victim to the safety of dry land. Fascinatingly, the dogs are strong enough to pull a mass of three people. Plus, if the dog encounters a victim who is face down or unconscious, then they take the person’s arm in their mouth and twist them onto their back.
Although there is only a small number of rescue dogs in the United States, they are extremely prevalent in European countries. Coast Guards everywhere are grateful for the canines’ assistance, as the dogs are used for search and rescue as well. In the past, their keen senses have helped locate bodies in places with murky waters. Further, the dog sniffs the surface for skin particles and scratches the bottom of the boat if he has found the victim. Sometimes, it only takes a few minutes.
In short, these dogs are heroes who are able to decipher currents, distressed human signals, and indicate the presence of a body. Their actions are able to save victims as fast and safely as possible, in the most critical times imaginable.
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