LAKE WACCAMAW, NC — Public safety officials in Lake Waccamaw are reminding residents and visitors that knowing how to respond during a water emergency can make a significant difference when seconds count.
The Lake Waccamaw Police Department said local emergency responders answer multiple incidents on Lake Waccamaw each year, including reports involving drowning victims, missing persons, and stranded boats. Many of these situations require coordinated responses from multiple agencies, including fire-rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, wildlife officers, and search and rescue teams.
As boating and recreational activity continues on the lake, officials are encouraging the public to familiarize themselves with basic emergency response steps before an incident occurs.
According to the department, the most important action during an active drowning emergency is to remain safe while attempting to assist. Officials advise people to throw a flotation device, such as a life jacket, ring buoy, throw cushion, or rope, to a person in distress rather than entering the water themselves.
Authorities caution that untrained individuals who enter the water during a rescue attempt may place themselves in danger. A struggling victim can unintentionally pull a would-be rescuer underwater, creating an even more serious emergency.
Officials also stress the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately and providing dispatchers with as much information as possible, including the location on the lake and details about the person involved.
If it can be done safely, witnesses are encouraged to mark the person’s last known location using a visible object or by dropping a GPS pin on a cellphone map application and sharing that information with emergency responders.
Emergency personnel recommend keeping the victim in sight whenever possible, following instructions from 9-1-1 dispatchers, and avoiding actions that could place additional lives at risk.
The department’s message is straightforward: act quickly, call for help, use flotation devices from a safe location, and allow trained rescue personnel to handle water recoveries and life-saving operations.
Officials say preparation and quick reporting can help improve response times during emergencies on Lake Waccamaw and may ultimately save lives.
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