Aim: To introduce candidates to different techniques of personal contact in swimming rescues with various types of subject, while ensuring minimum risk to the rescuer.
Prerequisites:
- Minimum age of 12 years on date of assessment
- Safety 4 and Endurance 1 or Survival 1.
Award: Certificate
Dress: Swimsuit / Wetsuit only
Validity: 2 years
Ratio – Recommended examination ratio 16:1 (Examiner should ensure that safety is paramount)
Test Items
BLS 2 (Skills and Theory).
2. Oral test: –
(a) Personal Safety.
(b) Hazards in open water situations.
(c) Principles of simple rescue.
(d) Correct follow up procedures.
(e) Recognition of emergency
situations.
(f) Non-contact swimming rescues.
(g) Personal contact rescues.
3. Demonstrate one skill from each of the
following: –
(a) Any item from the Safety Awards.
(b) Defensive actions.
4. Appropriate entry, 25 metres head-up
approach to a distressed subject. Make
suitable contact and bring 25 metres to
shore using a carry appropriate to the
situation
5. Appropriate entry and 25m head up
approach with a canbuoy or rescue tube
to a tired/injured swimmer and tow 25m
back to safety
6. Demonstrate ALL the following
approaches and carries in any
combination as selected by the
Examiner. (Distance – 10 metres
approach and carry).
(a) Approaches: Rear, Underwater
and Front Surface.
(b) Carries: Cross-chest, Hair, Head,
and Underarm Cross-chest.
Guidelines
- As per CFR Handbook.
- As per Rescue Skills Manual.
Knowledge of the difference between the drowning non-swimmer and the tired, weak or poor swimmer (Essential). - (a) Greater confidence and speed than in Safety Awards.
(b) Defensive actions – use mini scenarios. - Simulated rescue using mini scenarios. Aids may or may not be available at examiner’s discretion. Disengagement rather than restraints should be used in the case of struggling subject.
- A close look at contact rescue techniques in isolation. Options to include both conscious and unconscious subjects. Levels should be used where appropriate.