"NDE Mnemonic" and "NDE Protocol": Two Useful Tools for Lifeguards
Stathis Avramidis, Janice M. Holden
Introduction: Lifeguards are equipped to respond effectively to the physical crisis of drowning (rescue, resuscitation) but aren't trained to deal with the victims’ psychological experiences. This makes them vulnerable to doing harm by omission. Aim: To enhance lifeguards’ competence regarding the phenomenon of NDE, through a series of recommendations for NDE-sensitive practices during and after a drowning resuscitation. The “NDE” Acronym: (D) don’ts—things for water safety professionals to avoid doing. Instead they should (N) enact so that the victim who is experiencing or experienced an NDE feels certain beneficial (E) effects. The NDE Protocol: The below graph, describes the stages that a lifeguard should follow to deal effectively a survivor that could potentially may had an NDE. If a survivor indicates even one of the NDE features, do not deny that the experience was an NDE—a phenomenon that has been professionally recognized and labeled. Instead know and name the experience as an NDE and use research-based NDE information to answer questions the survivor might ask. 
Citation: Avramidis, S. , & Holden, J.M. (2017). NDE Mnemonic and NDE Protocol: Two Useful Tools for Lifeguards. In: Avramidis, S. (Ed.). Conference on Near-Death Experiences while Drowning (p. 13). Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA: International Swimming Hall of Fame.
