Lifesaving And Water Safety: Removal From The Water

removing victims from the water is an important life-saving technique but not always the most important artificial respiration may be needed and if it is it should be started as soon as possible if no flotation devices are available the victim will probably have to be brought to standing depth water before resuscitation is begun if a rigid support such as a poolside Pier or boat is closer than shallow water The Rescuer can use it for support as he begins artificial respiration it is usually impossible even for trained Rescuers to perform mouth to- mouth in deep water without [Music] support this victim may have a spinal injury whenever an injury of this type is even a remote possibility extreme care must be taken to avoid any twisting bending or side to side motion of the victim's head and trunk again breathing is the primary consideration and notice that since a neck injury is suspected The Rescuer is using the jaw thrust method so he does not have to tilt the head back can I have some help here please in most situations like this it will not be necessary to remove the victim from the water until an ambulance with trained Personnel arrives bring the board but if the water is very cold or if there is excessive bleeding it may be advisable to get the victim out to do this you must have a rigid back support and plenty of help at least three people position the board by submerging it and letting it float up under the victim if a specially made spine board is not available you can use a door SURFboard aquaplane or an ironing board once the board is in place The Rescuer at the victim's head must continue to keep the head and neck aligned with the body until bandages are in place around the head finally after the victim is securely tied to the board she may be carefully moved out of the [Music] water in situations where possible neck and back injuries have been ruled out and where the victim is breathing there are several removal techniques available to The Rescuer one is the Saddleback carry here the victim is carried just over the back of the hips this provides good weight distribution and a low center of gravity and enables even a heavy victim to be carried without strain the Saddleback is an especially useful carry for climbing steps occasionally a rescuer may have to lift a victim out of the water without assistance once at the edge of the pool or Pier the Lifesaver should place the victim's Hands On The Edge and maintain contact with them as he climbs out then he faces the victim and grabs his wrists he dips the victim's body once to get momentum then he lifts him out using his leg muscles not his back once the upper body is lowered to a prone position the legs can be swung onto the deck sometimes a tired swimmer who has been assisted to standing depth water may be able to walk with some support this simple shallow water assist is efficient and practical in these situations where there is a sloping Beach the drag is the safest and easiest method to use for a victim who can't walk The Rescuer grasps the victim under the armpits and supports the head with his forearms this technique is especially useful with a heavy victim when help is available it makes good sense to use it give me some [Music] help in this team lift two of The Rescuers join hands under the victim's shoulders and back the third rescuer supports the [Music] legs remember always that removal from the water should never be done in haste if the victim is not breathing artificial respiration should be started as soon as possible breathing always takes priority over attempts to remove a victim from the water [Music] that