Swimming Study Guide
ASSISTS:
To assist with a tired/passive swimmer use one of the following assist methods:
1) Reaching Assist: brace yourself, extend your arm & grasp the victim’s wrist.
a) If you can’t reach the victim from the edge, you may enter the water.
b) If you still can’t reach, grasp the edge and extend your leg for the victim to grab.
c) Shepherd’s Crook- stand at the edge and reach the shepherd’s crook to the victim, hook it around the victim and pull them in.
2) Throwing Assist:
a) Ring Buoy: stand on the end of the rope and throw the ring buoy past the victim. Slowly shorten the rope until the victim has a hold of the ring buoy.
b) Rescue Tube: Stand at the edge of the deck. Clip the ends of the tube together and toss to the victim. Once the victim has a hold of the rescue tube, pull the victim to safety.
3) Wading Assist:
a) If you can’t reach the victim, wade out to the victim with the rescue tube or ring buoy.
ENTRIES: Making a safe entry into the water is based on the height of the entry, the depth of the water, and the bottom conditions.
1) Safest entry = ease in gently.
a) Use this entry if you are unsure of the depth of the water or if the victim could have spinal injury.
2) Stride Jump- entry from 3 feet or less
3) Feet First- entry from 5 feet
4) Compact Jump- entry from more than 5 feet
5) Long/Shallow Dive- entry if there is at least 5 feet of water
APPROACHES: Approaches are done quickly and depends on the position and condition of the victim.
1) Front Surface Approach- used to approach a passive victim who is at or near the surface of the water.
2) Rear Approach- used to approach an active victim.
3) Dive to Rear of Victim- used in deep water.
TOWS: The type of tow used will depend on the size/weight/condition of the victim, the strength of the rescuer, and the water conditions.
1) Floatation Device- safest method
2) Wrist Tow- used for a passive victim
3) Single Armpit Tow- used for an active victim
4) Double Armpit Tow- used for an active victim
5) Collar Tow- used if the victim is wearing clothes
REMOVAL FROM WATER: The type of removal to use depends on the aquatic facility, condition of the water, and the skills of the rescuer.
1) Shallow Water Assists- taking a victim to standing depth water.
2) The Drag- rescuer is behind the victim with the victim’s head being supported on the rescuer’s chest.
3) Lift
ESCAPES:
Rescuer must select which escape method is most appropriate for the situation.
1) Wrist Arm Escape
2) Block
3) Front Head Hold Escape
4) Read Head Hold Escape
ADVANCED RESCUE SKILLS: The type of rescue used is based on the comfort level of the rescuer and the distance to safety.
1) Cross Chest Carry- rear approach with active victim. The victim’s head and shoulders are above the water.
2) Multiple Drowning Rescues- separate the victims.
3) Use of Rescue Board/Tube
4) Rescue Breathing in the Water
5) Helping a Scuba Diver in Trouble
a) Release weighted belt
b) Bring victim to surface
c) Breath for the victim if they are not breathing
d) Move victim to safety
STROKES: Good body position/proper breathing/stay relaxed= very important!
1) Front Crawl/Freestyle- Flutter kick is used. Turn your head to the side to breath. S-Pull is used for under water recovery.
2) Back Crawl/Backstroke- Flutter kick is used. Arms should not bend when out of the water. S-Pull is used for under water recovery. Inhale/exhale in rhythmic manner.
3) Elementary Backstroke- Whip kick is used. Underwater arm recovery.
A resting stroke. A two second glide is used.
4) Breaststroke- Whip kick is used. Underwater arm recovery. Sequence of stroke is: pull, breath, kick, glide.
5) Sidestroke- Scissors kick is used. Underwater arm recovery. A two second glide is used. Top leg moves forward. A resting stroke.
OTHER:
1) Most drownings occur only a few feet from safety. Over half of the drowning victims in the U.S. did not plan on getting in the water.
2) NEVER SWIM ALONE!
3) Never dive in shallow water (5 feet or less).
4) Clothes can actually aide your ability to float & keep you warm in cold water.
5) For survival floating- stay as motionless as possible!
6) Safe ice is considered 4 inches or thicker. If the ice starts to crack, lay down and distribute your weight.