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I. Principles of non-contact water rescue
- Rescuers must be able to select and adapt rescue techniques to suit their own swimming abilities
- The condition of the person in difficulty
- The rescue condition (Water condition and distance to safety)
- All rescuers must undertake necessary training and practice to ensure competence in carrying out a rescue
- In attempting any rescue, self-preservation is the key factor.
- Always maintain a good distance between the rescuer and the person in difficulty
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II. Non-contact rescue techniques
- Talk and gesture to the person to encourage them to get to safety
- Reach out to victim using rescue aids (Rigid: for example, a branch, stick, umbrella or paddle or Non-rigid: for example, a towel, rope or clothing)
- Throw buoyant aid to victim (Personal flotation devices: life vest, Rescue tubes, Empty water cans/gallons or Air-filled flotation device)
- Wade toward the victim using suitable reaching or throwing aid. Consider risks such as depth of water, currents, water temperature, entry and exit points, nature of water bottom and variations of deep water.
- Row toward the victim using small craft (Kayak, Surfboard, Canoe, Bangka, Bamboo raft)
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III. Execute contact rescue with conscious victim
- Assess condition of victim
- Approach victim by swimming and with proper defensive position while checking positions constantly.
- Ask victim to turn around and swim behind calmly.
- Perform techniques for contact rescue with conscious victim per ILS standard on Swimming and Lifesaving
- Encourage victim to assist by kicking the legs.
- Assist victims in their exits using pool ladder, exit point or supported lifting of victim if designated exit is not available.
- Apply appropriate aftercare to ensure stability of victim condition
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IV. Perform contact rescue with unconscious victim
- Assess condition of victim
- Approach victim with proper defensive positions to reaffirm unconsciousness of victim.
- Perform techniques for contact rescue with unconscious victim per ILS standard on Swimming and Lifesaving
- Use immobilization technique to stabilize removal of victim from water with assistance of other lifeguards.
- Perform CPR in suitably hard and flat surface immediately after the removal of victim from the water.
- Place victim in a recovery position after signs of life are present.
- Apply appropriate aftercare to ensure stability of victim condition
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V. Simulate recovery of a submerged person
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VI. Demonstrate underwater search for a submerged victim
- Perform shallow water search by using Team or Individual Search method per ILS standard in Swimming and Lifesaving
- Organize parallel pattern search for deep water per ILS standard in Swimming and Lifesaving.
- Use appropriate equipment to increase efficiency of underwater search per ILS standard in Swimming and Lifesaving
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VII. Perform aquatic spine injury immobilization
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VIII. Demonstrate landing (from water) a person in difficulty
