Rescue Techniques

The information presented below has been taken from the Royal Lifesaving Society  Australia Website.

Every year, approximately five people lose their lives while attempting to rescue someone in trouble. While it may seem counterintuitive, your own personal safety should always be the number 1 priority in any rescue situation. Self-preservation is paramount!

People in difficulty in the water are likely to be in a state of panic, fearing for their lives, and this makes the situation highly dangerous. A panicked, drowning person will reach out and, if given the opportunity, climb all over you in their attempt to stay afloat. Once this happens it is very difficult to break free, even for strong swimmers or those skilled in aquatic rescue techniques. There is a real risk of both of you drowning.

The rescuer needs to look at the environment and consider why the person is in trouble. Every rescue situation is unique but where possible they should consider water depth, temperature, wind, waves, currents, visibility, time of day and any other potential hazards in, on or under the water. 

They should also consider the degree of urgency required (conscious or unconscious person), the swimming ability of the drowning person, the distance to safety, and entry and landing places. 

Finally, but equally important, they need to consider their own ability (knowledge, skills, fitness, judgement) with regard to the above factors. When reflecting on their own ability, they should also consider what other help may be available; for example, from bystanders and what abilities they may have.

The rescuer needs to gather as much information as possible in an appropriate time frame, and then ask themselves one fundamental question: Can I safely perform this rescue?

If the answer is ‘yes’, then a plan of Action is required.

The rescuer should minimise danger to themselves by carrying out the safest form of rescue possible. Royal Life Saving teaches different types of rescue, listed here with most safe first and the least safe last:

• Talk

• Reach

• Throw

• Wade

• Row

• Swim (accompanied rescue)

• Non-contact tow

• Contact tow

The rescuer should consider:

• Can I talk to the person, calming them down and directing them to a safer location?

• Is there something on hand that I could use to reach the person, such as a rope, stick, or towel?

• Is there something I could throw to the person to aid their buoyancy, such as a lifejacket, kickboard, or esky (cooler) lid?

• Can I wade out to the person and then reach out to give them a rope, stick or towel to pull them to safety?

• Is there a canoe or something similar I can row out and have them hold on to?

• Can I swim out to them and, while keeping a safe distance, pass them a buoyancy aid and accompany them to safety, encouraging and instructing them?

• Can I swim out to them and, while keeping a safe distance, hand them a buoyancy aid and tow them back to safety? (non-contact tow)

• If all else has failed, do I know how to perform a contact tow to get them back to safety? Do I have the strength, skill and fitness to do this while ensuring my own safety is the number one priority? Am I capable of dealing with a panicked person wanting to grab hold of me?

 Dry Rescues:

1. Talk
   If the person in trouble is conscious and capable of responding, the rescuer should consider if they can talk to the person and direct them to a safer location. This should be completed in situations where the person is close enough to see the rescuers gestures and hear their voice.
   
   
   

2. Reach
   If the person in difficulty is near the edge, consider if you can reach for them or use something on hand to reach them, such as a rope, stick or towel.

At The baths you will use a pool noddle, your long baggy pants or towel and a rope. Remember you must get onto the ground so they cannot pull you into the water. 

3. Throw
   Throwing a buoyant aid should be done in situations where the person in trouble is too far away to carry out a reach rescue. Rescuers should consider throwing a buoyant object such as a lifejacket or esky lid to provide support to the swimmer until they can be removed from the dangerous area.
   
   
   

4. Wade
   When an attempt to reach and throw have been unsuccessful, the rescuer can then attempt to wade out to the person in danger to enable a reach or throw rescue. This should only be performed if the depth, current and temperature of the water permits a safe entry.
   
   
   

5. Row
   If a reach, throw and wade rescue have all not been possible, a row rescue is an effective and safe technique to use. The rescuer can remain clear of the water by using a vessel such as a canoe to row out to the person and safely get them out of the dangerous spot. It is important when using this technique be aware of the craft and its limitations.
   
   Water Rescues:

6. Swimming Rescues (accompanied)
   When all non-swimming rescue techniques have been deemed not appropriate or failed, the rescuer can attempt a swimming rescue. If possible, the rescuer should swim out to the person in difficulty, maintaining a safe distance, passing them a buoyancy aid and accompanying them to safety.
   
   
   

7. Tow (non-contact and contact)
   If an accompanied swimming rescue is not possible, the rescuer should first consider if a non-contact tow can be used. In this instance, the rescuer should swim out to the person, maintaining a safe distance and passing them a buoyancy aid, before then towing them back to a safe spot.

1. Why is self-preservation considered the most important priority for a rescuer in any rescue situation?

2. What factors should a rescuer assess when considering the environment of a water rescue?

3. How does a panicked, drowning person pose a risk to the rescuer, and what precautions should be taken to avoid this danger?

4. What is the first question a rescuer should ask themselves before performing any rescue?

5. How does Royal Life Saving rank the different types of rescue in terms of safety, and why is this ranking important?

6. What are some examples of tools or objects a rescuer could use for a “reach” rescue in a water emergency?

7. In what situations should a rescuer consider using the “throw” rescue technique, and what objects could be thrown to aid the person in distress?

8. What factors should be considered before attempting a “wade” rescue, and when is it deemed appropriate?

9. When a swimmer is too far from the shore, why is a “row” rescue considered effective, and what should the rescuer be mindful of when using a canoe or similar vessel?

10. What distinguishes a non-contact tow from a contact tow, and in which circumstances should each be used during a water rescue?