FRONDA, Aron John B.

11:30AM-1:30PM
BSN-II SCHOENHOFER January 16, 2022

Activity # 4
Life Saving and Water Rescues

1. Discuss what is Life Saving and Water rescues.

 Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often
refers to water safety and aquatic rescue; however, it could include ice
rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and
other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where
lifesavers compete based on skills, speed, and teamwork. Lifesaving
activities specialized in oceanic environment is called surf lifesaving or
coastal lifesaving.
 Water rescue is any incident that involves the removal of victims from any
body of water other than a swimming pool. Floods are the most common of all
natural disasters and generally cause greater mortality than any other natural
hazard.
2. Give what it means by Life Saving and Water Rescues in:
a. Open Waters
 Open water rescue is a response to a very dangerous situation. The rescue
itself may be dangerous and life threatening.

 No rescuer should enter the water to effect rescue unless trained to

do so. Rescues of unconscious victims from the water most often
requires multiple rescuers, especially in big surf or rescues
involving Swiftwater hazards.
 Condition your body as if your life depends on it. Train all the time
because your victim’s life depends on it.
 The focus of any water rescue operation should be on removing the
victim from the water as quickly as possible. 
 Rescuers must know universal nonverbal methods to communicate
in the water from a distance using arm signals.
 Fins are mandatory safety equipment for open water rescue
swimmers and rescue watercraft (RWC) operators, especially in the
surf.
  Best practices dictate that the primary rescuer is trained to the
technician level and must be proficient at using a rescue flotation
device (RFD) and rescue fins to effect open water rescue—most
time that is all you need. 
 Cervical spine motion restriction (CSMR) is no longer required for
an unresponsive drowning victim unless obvious head trauma or an
axial loading mechanism is suspected (such as with a shallow water
diving injury ).
 Drowning is a hypoxic event; all focus should be treating
hypoxemia to prevent hypoxia.
 Resuscitate victims on dry sand. It’s usually just a few more steps
but makes all the difference in medical equipment function and
rescuer comfort; no paramedic wants to intubate a patient in wet
sand.
  The preferred position for treating a conscious drowning victim is
sitting up in high Fowler’s position. For cardiac arrest secondary to
drowning, there is no one preferable position for the victim. Position
supine in an area that will allow safe administration of resuscitation
procedures with enough room for rescuers to move around the
victim and switch positions freely.

b. Swimming Pool
 Pool Lifesaving tests a lifesaver's skills in rescue, accident prevention and
emergency care; teaching skills that will save lives and last a lifetime. Pool
Lifesaving builds confidence, teaches teamwork, and is perfect for those
who want to add an extra dimension to their swimming.

Be careful getting in and out of the pool

Use a handrail whenever possible to prevent slipping or falling. When getting out
of the water, avoid climbing on slippery or other unstable surfaces.

Look before you leap or dive in

Shallow water, underwater logs or big rocks are all dangerous when diving into
lakes or swimming holes and can cause serious injury. When at a pool or other
swimming area, only dive into areas where it is safe to dive. Look for no diving
signs.

Always check your surroundings and enter the water slowly with your feet first.
Check the area each time before you enter the water, as swimming conditions or
surroundings may change. You may not always be able to see underwater
swimmers, toys and other objects that can cause harm. Shallow water,
underwater logs or big rocks can cause serious injury.

Stay within your abilities

When you go in the water, swim only where you feel comfortable. Do not go
farther or deeper than you can handle. At beaches, swim parallel to the shore,
 and stay inside marked areas. Be aware that cold water or rough conditions can
impact your swimming abilities.

Never swim alone

Use the “buddy system” and take a friend or responsible adult with you who is a
strong swimmer. Make sure you watch out for each other. Even when a lifeguard
is around, it is best to have a “buddy”.

Play carefully
Wrestling and tumbling in any water body can be very dangerous. You could hit
your head against pool walls, floors or rocks and become unconscious. If this
happens and you do not get help quickly, you could drown.

Do not drink alcohol

Injuries involving alcohol are a common problem around water bodies, including
private pools, hot tubs, beaches, and swimming holes. Alcohol can make
accidents worse because it slows down your reaction time. Alcohol can also put
you to sleep. This is especially dangerous in a hot tub. If you are in or around any
water body, do not drink alcohol.

Watch for hazards

Never play around skimmers or pool drains. In a pool or hot tub water is always
pumping through a filter system. The filter pulls water out of the pool through a
drain and into pipes. Parts of your body, fingers, toes, arms, legs or torso and
hair can easily become caught in the suction of these drains. Drains with strong
suction can hold you under water and possibly lead to drowning. If you have long
hair, you should wear a bathing cap or securely tie back your hair in a short braid
or bun. You should never put your head underwater in a whirlpool or hot tub.

Watch for underwater traps

Some railings, ladders or removable pool equipment can create small spaces that
can trap people underwater. Sometimes getting trapped under water will lead to
drowning. If you notice underwater equipment that could trap you, talk to a pool
supervisor, owner, or lifeguard about your concerns.

REFERENCES:
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifesaving#:~:text=Lifesaving%20is%20the
%20act%20involving,and%20other%20emergency%20medical%20services.
 https://www.emra.org/books/emra-ems-essentials/chapter-14-water-
rescue/
 https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/nt/educate-participate/sport/about-
pool-lifesaving-sport-campaign-page
 https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/safety-tips-swimmers
 https://www.fireengineering.com/technical-rescue/open-water-lifesaving-
rescue-and-resuscitation-drowning/#gref