Rescue Swimming & Life Guard

Self-protection is the key in any rescue

Every year, approximately five people lose their lives while attempting to rescue someone in trouble. While it may seem counter-intuitive, your own personal safety should remain paramount in any rescue situation.People in difficulty are often in a state of panic and could easily drag you underwater in their attempt to stay afloat.

The reason why the person is in trouble, also needs to be considered. If they are in a rip, strong current, fast flowing river or floodwater; if there is debris or if the water temperature is cold, then you may very easily get into trouble yourself by entering the water, making you ineffective in the rescue and compounding the situation.

Always assess the situation first to determine the most appropriate form of rescue. There are often a number of ways to assist the person in trouble before needing to perform an in-water rescue.Can you talk to the person, calming them down and directing them to a safer location? Is there something on hand that you could use to reach the person, such as a rope, stick, or towel? Is there something you could throw to the person to aid their buoyancy, such as a life jacket, kickboard, or esky (cooler) lid?

We need to encourage people who find themselves in a rescue situation to follow the 4 A’s of rescue:

·        Awareness: identify an emergency and accept responsibility

·        Assessment: make an informed judgement

·        Action: develop a plan and affect the rescue

·        Aftercare: give aid until medical help arrives

What Is an Ocean/Beach Lifeguard?

An ocean and beach lifeguard undergoes a slightly more rigorous training and certification regimen than pool lifeguards because of the different working environment. Beach lifeguards work outdoors on a natural body of water, often an ocean. This environment is more unpredictable than a pool. Ocean lifeguards are trained to work in water that comes with waves, riptides and the potential for bad weather. Just like pool guards, ocean lifeguards will also be trained and certified in CPR and first aid. Final certification will take place outdoors at a beach.

Responsibilities of an Ocean/Beach Lifeguard

Pool lifeguards and beach lifeguards share the responsibility of swimmer safety, but the unpredictability of the ocean adds more complexity to life guarding on the beach. Ocean life guarding responsibilities include:

• Water supervision: Ocean lifeguards will spend most of their time watching the water to ensure swimmer safety. Your assigned post may have you walking up and down a sandy stretch of beach, or you may be assigned to a tower that gives you an elevated vantage point over the waves. Some beaches also post lifeguards out on the water in boats to ensure swimmers do not pass safety checkpoints and swim out too far or into dangerous areas of the water. Enforcing beach rules, such as where to swim and how far, is another important part of the job.
• Weather monitoring: Ocean lifeguards and lifeguards at outdoor pools share this responsibility to an extent. Swimming outdoors becomes dangerous during lightning storms, and lifeguards need to be prepared to empty the pool and let swimmers know about potentially dangerous weather conditions. Ocean lifeguards have the added responsibility of understanding wind conditions and communicating this to beachgoers. Is the wind creating dangerous wave conditions? Are there any riptides that swimmers need to be aware of at the beach? Beach lifeguards may have radios to communicate with one another, and megaphones to communicate with swimmers. The beach tends to be a larger environment than a pool.
• Water rescue: Beach lifeguards will learn how to perform water rescues, just like pool lifeguards, but they will need to use those skills in different conditions. Ocean rescues mean navigating potentially hazardous water conditions, as well as regular waves. Ocean lifeguards will use the same type of rescue equipment (buoys, rescue cans and throw bags), but they may also be trained to incorporate different kinds of boats into their rescue skill set.
• First aid and CPR: Like pool lifeguards, ocean lifeguards are certified in first aid and CPR. As an ocean lifeguard, you are responsible for responding to emergency medical situations. On the beach, that could mean minor cuts and abrasions due to natural beach detritus. It could also mean responding to head injuries, especially on rocky beaches. In the case of a drowning victim, ocean lifeguards are trained to provide CPR until professional medical help arrives. Both pool lifeguards and ocean lifeguards will be trained to use an AED.
• Beach maintenance: Beach maintenance may be a small part of an ocean lifeguard’s job. You might clean up debris washed ashore, pick up after beachgoers and help clean beach facilities.