The fundamental procedure for any water rescue prioritizes rescuer safety first, ensuring a single emergency does not become a double tragedy. This five-step approach is sequential, moving from the safest, non-contact methods to the most hazardous, in-water techniques. Understanding these steps provides a framework for bystanders to act quickly and effectively.
Step 1: Recognition and Assessment
The initial phase of a rescue involves rapid observation to determine the nature of the emergency and environmental risks. A distressed swimmer may still call for help, but an active drowning victim exhibits the instinctive drowning response, which is often silent. This response includes the victim being vertical in the water, unable to wave, and their head repeatedly dipping below the surface as they try to stay afloat.
A passive drowning victim is motionless, often floating face-down or fully submerged due to sudden illness, injury, or exhaustion. The rescuer must quickly assess environmental hazards like strong currents, waves, or submerged obstacles. These factors dictate the safety and feasibility of any subsequent action.
Step 2: Emergency Activation and Preparation
Once a person in distress has been recognized, the immediate next step is to activate the emergency response system. Shout for help to alert nearby individuals, and immediately call 911 or the local emergency number, providing a precise location and details about the victim’s condition. This ensures that professional medical services and trained rescuers are en route quickly.
While maintaining sight of the person, the rescuer should quickly scan the area for available rescue equipment. This involves finding buoyant aids like life rings, kickboards, or everyday items that float, such as closed plastic jugs or cooler lids. Reaching aids like poles, ropes, or towels should also be gathered. The goal is to have these tools ready before attempting a physical rescue.
Step 3: Non-Contact Rescue (Reach or Throw)
The safest and most preferred methods involve assisting the victim without the rescuer entering the water. The principle is summarized as “Reach, Throw, Row, Go,” with “Go” being the last resort. The first attempt should be a reach rescue if the person is close enough to the shore or a stable platform.
This involves extending a long, rigid object, such as a pole, branch, or shepherd’s crook, for the victim to grasp. If the person is farther away, the method shifts to a throw rescue, using a buoyant device like a throw bag, life jacket, or ring buoy attached to a line. The rescuer must be in a stable position on land and clearly communicate with the victim before throwing the aid. The objective is to pull the person to safety from the secure location, eliminating the risk of the victim grabbing and submerging the rescuer.
Step 4: Safe Contact and Towing
This step is reserved for situations where non-contact methods have failed and the rescuer is trained and physically capable of entering the water. The rescuer must enter the water safely, such as by wading or using a controlled slide-in entry, while keeping the victim in sight. The rescuer must bring a flotation aid, such as a rescue tube or buoy, to maintain distance and provide buoyancy for both individuals.
The rescuer should approach the victim cautiously, ideally from behind to avoid being grabbed by a panicked person. Once contact is made, the flotation aid should be placed under the victim’s shoulders or back to keep their airway clear and create a buffer. Towing the person to a safe exit point is accomplished using a technique that keeps the rescuer behind the victim, using the buoyant aid to support their weight and maintain control.
Step 5: Exit and Post-Rescue Care
The final phase involves safely removing the person from the water and providing immediate medical attention until emergency services arrive. Safe exit techniques vary by location but must be performed carefully to avoid further injury, especially if a spinal injury is suspected. Once the person is on stable ground, the rescuer must immediately check for responsiveness and breathing.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be started immediately. Even if the person is conscious, they should be monitored closely for signs of shock or hypothermia. This is addressed by keeping them warm with blankets and reassuring them. All information should be relayed to the arriving professional medical personnel.