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Right: lie down
Wrong: don't stand up
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Reaching Rescue |
Most drownings happen within 3-15 meters from a point of safety.
For nearby casualties the reaching rescue is an easy way to help.
Lie down and use an aid to reach the casualty.
Use a stick, rope, air mattress, or an item of clothing and carefully present it to the casualty to hold on to.
Then pull them to the edge and make sure they get out safely.
The most important consideration for a reaching rescue is that you lie down or have a very good hold of something firm, not other people.
If you don't observe this simple rule you may be pulled in by the causality.
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Rope Throwing Rescue |
If the casualty is beyond your immediate reach, throw a rope and pull them in.
A floating aid with a line attached is best because the float provides support
and the line lets you pull the casualty in.
Throwing rescues can be used for any type of active casualty but not for unconscious casualties.
For river float trips a throw line is the main rescue aid.
The farther a casualty is from shore,
the more important it becomes to keep track of his location, particularly if the water is not clear.
If the casualty submerges before you can help, then you will need to know where he went down,
and that is hard unless you watch him closely.
In this and all other rescues, keep your eye on the
subject as much as possible while you look for equipment and get in position. The
task is easier if you work with someone else in the rescue. One person can act as
spotter while the other gathers equipment.
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Throw a Buoyant Aid |
Different types of PFDs, including life jackets, ring buoys, inner tubes, air mattresses, kick boards, and flotation cushions,
are often found around the water and serve as good throwing devices that float.
You also can try beach balls or volleyballs, but they may be difficult for the casualty to grasp.
It doesn't need not have a line attached.
Anything can be used that will float well enough to support the casualty, something the casualty can hang onto,
and is small enough for you to throw or shove the casualty from shore.
Aim carefully before you toss the device.
The float should land within reach without hitting the casualty's head.
Be sure to allow for wind and current.
Generally the device should hit the water upstream of the casualty.
If the casualty can support himself with a loose float,
he probably will be able to paddle himself to shore.
Shout encouragement and have him travel with the current rather than against it.
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Wade towards your casualty with an aid.
Use your clothing if you have no rescue aid.
Avoid direct contact with a casualty until you've reached the edge, unless they have difficulty to move.
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Wading Rescue with Buoyant or Rigid Aid |
If a reaching or throwing rescue has been unsuccessful,
or if a throwing rescue is inappropriate, you may have to enter the water.
Where a casualty is in shallower water this often requires a wading rescue.
You should know at what depth you become too buoyant to carry out a wading rescue safely.
Wade to no more than waist depth, so you're not over-balanced by the buoyancy of the water.
Thereafter it becomes a towing rescue.
Practice this in different clothes with different buoyancy to gain experience.
Enter shallow water safely as near to the casualty as possible.
Take with you a suitable buoyant aid or rigid pole.
Use an item of your clothing if you have no rescue aid.
Encourage the casualty to hold on to the aid and follow you back to to safety.
DO NOT make direct contact with the casualty for safety reasons.
They may grasp you and get you into trouble.
Once you have hold of the pool side or the beach, assist the casualty out of the water and then climb out.
Ask them to sit down and face away from the water.
Treat for shock if necessary.
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