preview

Lifeguard and Victim

Good Essays
Open Document

Chapter 5 Rescue Skills A lifeguard must always be prepared to enter the water to make rescues. After determining that the victim needs help, the lifeguard should assess the victim’s condition and use an appropriate rescue. The skills in this chapter can be used in most aquatic environments, although they may have to be modified in some situations. 58 Lifeguarding GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR A WATER EMERGENCY 6. Provides emergency care as needed. Depending upon In all rescue situations, the lifeguard recognizes an emergency in the water, activates the emergency action plan (EAP) (Fig. 5-1), uses rescue equipment and follows these general procedures: LIFEGUARDING TIP: A lifeguard must always provide for his or her own safety and the …show more content…

5-8 To enter the water from a gradual slope, such as a shoreline or wave pool, the lifeguard should use the run-andswim entry. To perform a run-and-swim entry, the lifeguard should— 1. Hold the rescue tube and the excess line and run into the water, lifting the knees high to avoid falling (Fig. 5-9, A). 2. When the lifeguard can no longer run, he or she should either put the rescue tube across the chest and lean forward or drop the tube to the side and start swimming, letting the rescue tube trail behind (Fig. 5-9, B). Do not dive or plunge head-first into the water; this could result in a serious head, neck or back injury. A Fig. 5-9 B A C B 61 62 Lifeguarding RESCUE APPROACHES The best way to swim to the victim is with a modified front crawl or breaststroke (Fig. 5-10, A-B). The lifeguard should keep the rescue tube under the armpits or torso, and swim toward the victim with the head up. The lifeguard should keep the rescue tube in control at all times. For longer distances, or if the rescue tube slips out from under the arms or torso while swimming to the victim, the lifeguard can let the tube trail behind (Fig. 5-11). Slow down and reposition the tube before contacting the victim. Fig. 5-10 In shallow water it may be quicker or easier to walk to the victim. Hold the rescue tube at the side and walk quickly toward the victim. Slow down and reposition the tube before contacting the victim. ASSISTS Assists are the most common help given to patrons,

Get Access
Related
Get Access