Final answer:
In a self-rescue situation, one should consider swimming to shore as the last resort after other safer options like signaling for help or using flotation devices have been considered or exhausted.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone falls into the water, the first response should be to secure flotation if available. If hypothermia begins to set in, getting out of the water is crucial, but attempting to swim to shore without assistance may not be the best option, as it can increase fatigue. If you see someone on shore, it is a good time to signal for help rather than swim—unless they are actively directing a rescue and it's clear that swimming to shore is the safest action. In all cases, swimming to shore should be considered a last resort, done only when all other options have been exhausted and it is safe to do so.
In matters of water safety, remembering common misconceptions is important. Drowning individuals often cannot shout or wave for help due to airway sealing from muscular spasm. Unconscious individuals still may have a chance of survival if they receive CPR promptly after being brought to stable ground. Always follow safety signs, such as 'no diving' warnings, to prevent injury, and understand that the body's reaction to cold, like shivering, is an attempt to maintain homeostasis.