DAY 5: Stabilize the Broken

The most challenging rescue as a lifeguard is not pulling a panicked 200-pound man out of the ocean, as difficult and dangerous as that is. No, the hardest rescue to make is the one involving an unconscious victim floating face-down in a swimming pool. Ironically, the fact that they are unresponsive makes this more difficult than an active drowning scenario. When we observe someone floating face down in a swimming pool, the natural response would likely be to jump into the water, pull them to the side of the pool, and get them out of the water as quickly as possible and began rescue breathing or CPR. But, in this situation, we must assume the possibility that the person dove into the shallow end and suffered a serious head or neck injury. If this is true, then jumping in the water and creating waves, or grabbing, pulling, or rolling the victim over, could worsen a neck or spinal injury. Instead, lifeguards slip into the pool to avoid making waves. They approach the situation cautiously, not aggressively. Upon reaching the victim, they use a stabilizing technique in which they place one arm along the spine using the hand to hold the neck while placing the other arm along the sternum and using that hand to secure the head, bracing the chin between the thumb and fingers. Squeezing their arms together to stabilize the spine and neck, they take a breath and slowly turn the victim over by rolling under them in the water. From this position in the water, a lifeguard can administer rescue breaths while keeping the spine stabilized until paramedics arrive. If CPR is needed, the victim can be placed on a rescue board in the water and lifted out of the pool. The key to a successful rescue begins with a gentle response.

A Gentle & Measured Response

When people hit rock bottom, it can break them. So often, our reaction to broken people is forceful and aggressive, when what is needed, is a gentle and measured response. Our instincts might prompt us to go full hero-mode but stabilizing the broken requires tenderness and grace.

We see this in Jesus’ response to Peter as he was sinking amongst the waves. Jesus reached out his hand and pulled Peter to safety. Only then did Jesus say to Peter, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?” Jesus brought stability first, and correction second. He made sure Peter felt safe before he corrected him.

A lifeguard doesn’t chastise the victim floating unconscious in the water by pointing at the sign that says, “No Diving Allowed.” He seeks to stabilize the broken. Too often, our default when we encounter others amid their adversity, rather than pulling them to safety, we choose to dish out a whole bunch of advice. We want to explain to them why we think they're in their current predicament. But whether they’re drowning in water or in life, they suffer the real consequences of their actions. This is what Paul described when he wrote that “the wages of sin is death.”

Do we need correction? Absolutely. But we’ll seldom be able to receive it thoughtfully until we know that we are safe. Let’s follow the example of Jesus and offer a helping hand before a corrective word.

REFLECTION

So often, our reaction to broken people is forceful and aggressive, when what is needed, is a gentle and measured response. How could you provide stability?