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{{Short description|American lifeguard}}
{{More footnotes|BLP=yes|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Frank Pia
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Francesco Pia
| birth_date =
| birth_place = United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| alma_mater = [[Long Island University]]<br>[[City University of New York]]
| occupation = [[Lifeguard]]
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
}}

'''Francesco''' "'''Frank'''" '''Pia''' is an American [[lifeguard]], recognized in the field for his research and training on ways to rescue people in trouble in the water. He is best known for:

{{flowlist|*the '''Pia carry''', a widely used method of holding a drowning non-swimmer's head out of the water while swimming with the victim to shore;
*the [[instinctive drowning response]], which characterizes people on the verge of sinking underwater;
*the [[Drowning#RID factors|''RID'' factors]] (an acronym for failures of recognition, intrusion and distraction) in supervised drownings}}

==Education==
Pia attended [[Long Island University]] where he received his BA in 1968 and his MA in 1973. He attended the [[City University of New York]] and received his MS in 1976,{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} and an Advanced Certificate in Clinical School Psychology in 1977.

He has several publications in the area of forensics on drowning accident causes that are used by lawyers and aquatic experts in personal injury litigation, including:
* Unobserved Drownings: The Unnoticed Struggle
* Establishing Causation in Unobserved Drownings

==Pia carry==
The Pia carry was created by Pia for use exclusively by [[lifeguard]]s. It requires a strong legs-only kick that is used to support the drowning non-swimmer as far out of the [[water]] as possible (at least the shoulders out), to stop the [[instinctive drowning response]]. It is standard procedure for most [[lifeguard]] training. Frank Pia is a recognized authority on lifeguarding and drowning.

It is a control carry which may be used on conscious, [[distressed non-swimmer]]s (DNS); as such, it is considered an extremely high-risk rescue technique and rescuers should attempt it only if trained and fit to do so.<ref>The Canadian Lifesaving Manual, 4-9.</ref> Direct contact with victims should be chosen last, after having attempted or ruled out all other "rungs" of the [[ladder approach]].<ref>The Canadian Lifesaving Manual, 4-5.</ref>

The technique consists of approaching the victim from behind and below to minimize risk and maximize control; encircling the victim's waist or hips with one arm; and supporting the victim's buttocks or thigh on your hip. This ensures that the victim's head and shoulders are clear of the water while you swim to safety with a one-arm pull and either [[Breaststroke#Leg movement|whipkick]] or [[Treading water#Eggbeater kick|eggbeater kick]]. The rescuer should attempt to keep his or her head clear of the surface to reassure the victim while moving to safety. This carry is used only over short distances where safety can be reached within 10–15 m and there is back-up help available.<ref>Alert: Lifeguarding in Action, page 47.</ref>

While encouraged, the Pia carry is not the only accepted control DNS carry; "must-sees" for the [[Lifeguard#Canada|NLS]] physical skill only require the victim's head and shoulders be clear of the water.<ref>N.L.S Award Guide, Item 6c: "Approach and Carry".</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.pia-enterprises.com/consulting.html Pia Enterprises]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pia, Frank}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Lifeguards]]
[[Category:Long Island University alumni]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]

Frank Pia - Revision history

imported>Eric Carpenter: Infobox addition.