Assessing the seen
The type of water rescue you use depends on the victim’s condition. This includes whether the victim is active or passive, at or near the surface, submerged, or possibly has sustained an injury to the head, neck or spine. Always ensure that the victim’s airway is above the surface as you move him or her to a safe exit point.
Distressed victim
Rescue Approaches
The objective of a rescue approach is to safely, quickly and effectively move toward the victim in the water while maintaining control of the rescue tube, keeping the victim in your line of sight. The quicker you get to the victim the better. Here are 3 examples of good rescue approaches.
The type of water rescue you use depends on the victim’s condition. This includes whether the victim is active or passive, at or near the surface, submerged, or possibly has sustained an injury to the head, neck or spine. Always ensure that the victim’s airway is above the surface as you move him or her to a safe exit point.
Distressed victim
- Struggling to stay above water
- Is yelling for help
- Panicking
- Struggling to keep or get the head above the surface of the water
- Cannot call for help
- Struggling to reach the surface, if underwater
- Expression of panic/wide eyed
- Limp or convulsive-like movements
- Floating or submerged
- Eyes may be closed
- If submerged, may look like a shadow
Rescue Approaches
The objective of a rescue approach is to safely, quickly and effectively move toward the victim in the water while maintaining control of the rescue tube, keeping the victim in your line of sight. The quicker you get to the victim the better. Here are 3 examples of good rescue approaches.
Rescuing near or on top of the water
The objective of rescuing a victim at or near the surface of the water is to safely and confidently support the victim using the rescue tube before the victim submerges.
Use the following rescues for victims at or near the surface of the water:
The objective of rescuing a victim at or near the surface of the water is to safely and confidently support the victim using the rescue tube before the victim submerges.
Use the following rescues for victims at or near the surface of the water:
- Active victim front rescue: for a drowning victim who is facing toward you
- Active victim rear rescue: for a drowning victim who is facing away from you
- Passive victim rear rescue: for a drowning victim is who is face-down at or near the surface in a vertical-to-horizontal position, seems unconscious and is not suspected of having a head, neck or spinal injury
Rescuing a Submerged Victim
Sometimes a drowning victim is below the surface. This could be in shallow water or in deep water beyond your reach. The objective in rescuing a submerged victim is to effectively and quickly go under water, make contact with the victim, bring him or her to the surface and support the victim on the rescue tube while maintaining an open airway.
Use the following rescues, based on the victim’s position in the water:
Sometimes a drowning victim is below the surface. This could be in shallow water or in deep water beyond your reach. The objective in rescuing a submerged victim is to effectively and quickly go under water, make contact with the victim, bring him or her to the surface and support the victim on the rescue tube while maintaining an open airway.
Use the following rescues, based on the victim’s position in the water:
- Submerged victim in shallow water: for a victim who is passive, submerged in shallow water and beyond your reach
- Submerged victim in deep water: for a victim who is submerged in deep water