Surf Rescue Certificate

Chapter 9 – Rescue Techniques

Learning Outcomes

• Perform patient approaches, support and escapes aided

by equipment on a conscious and an unconscious patient

• Identify people in distress in an aquatic environment

• Perform surf skills

Principles of aquatic safety

Prevention

• Primary task

Recognition

• Remain vigilant

Rescue

• Be prepared to act

Recovery

• Caring for the patient

• Returning to rescue readiness

Recognising the patient

People at risk:

• Very young or very old

• Poor physical condition

• Beginners/novices

• Drink or drug affected

• Non-swimmers

• Inappropriately attired for swimming

Distressed Patients

• Struggling to maintain buoyancy

• Calling for help

• Ineffective stroke

• Climbing the ladder

• Moving as if injured

• Breath-holding

• Wide-eyed/fearful

Signs:

• No call for help

• Upright body position

• Non-supportive leg action

• Vigorous arm movements (sideways or in front)

• Head-tilted back

• Face towards shore

• Floating face down at or below the surface

• Lying immobilised under the surface

Drowning Patient

Communication

With your team

• Verbal

• Signals

• Radio

• Relay via another team

member to your team

leader

• Use the 4Ps

With the patient

Deciding on a course of action

• Without equipment

• Tube and fins

• Board

• IRB/RWC

• Support Ops

• Helicopter

Key factors influencing rescue decisions

Patients:

• The number of patients defines the number of lifesavers and the

equipment required for an effective rescue

Distances:

• How far away is the patient(s) from lifesaving services?

• What is the closest access point?

• How far away is the patient from the shoreline?

Conditions:

• Use the surf conditions to your advantage. Use favourable rips

and currents to reach patient(s).

Resources:

• Consider the number of rescuers and the equipment available.

Always try to match the equipment with each rescuer’s skills

Rescue

• Patient approach

• Rescue method

• Defensive position

• Releases and escapes

Rescues without equipment

• Hip carry

• Wrist tow

Tube rescue

• Entering the water

• Conscious patient

• Unconscious patient

• Tube rescues in the surf

break

• Double tube tow

Board rescue

• Securing the patient

• Conscious patient

(beyond the break)

• Heavy awkward or

unconscious patients

(beyond the break)

• Board rescues in the

break

In-water rescue breathing

• Very difficult to do effectively

• Should only be used if you

cannot immediately return to

shore

• Requires a flotation aid

Mass rescue

• Patient priority

• Proximity of the patients

to each other

• Availability of rescue

equipment

Using other flotation resources,

Anything that floats can be used to assist someone in distress

or difficulty:

• Ball

• Esky lid

• Body board

• Inflatables

• Noodle

Rescue Techniques Learning Questions:

• Please complete Learning Activity Question Eighteen in your

Assessment Portfolio , page 14

• Please complete Learning Activity Question Nineteen in your

Assessment Portfolio, page 15

Learning Activities