Safety 4 Award

Aim: To further emphasise simple rescue techniques involving minimum risk to the rescuer. It is designed to test candidate’s progression from skills included in Awards 2 and 3 and as a preparatory step to the Rescue Awards.

Prerequisites: None

Award: Certificate

Dress: Swimsuit / Wetsuit, shirt and trousers

Validity: 2 years

Ratio – Recommended examination ratio 16:1 (Examiner should ensure that safety is paramount)

Note(s):

  • Goggles may be used in this award.

Test Items

1. BLS 1 (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.
3. Demonstrate any items from the following: –
(a) Voice Contact.
(b) Use of Buoyant objects, with no line
attached.
(c) Un-weighted rope and/or throw bag.
(d) Ring Buoy.
(e) Reaching Rescue.
(f) Wading Rescue.

4. Continuous swim: –
(a) 150 metres Front crawl or breaststroke.
(b) 50 metres rescue sidestroke using lower
arm only.
(c) 50 metres rescue backstroke using legs only

5. Appropriate entry and 25 metres head up approach
to a distressed swimmer, using item of clothing tow
subject 25 metres to safety. Show ability to avoid
body contact at any stage of the rescue.

6. Straddle jump entry and 25m head up approach
with a canbuoy or a rescue tube to a distressed
swimmer and tow 25 back to safety

7. Demonstrate the use of an assist on a weak
swimmer

8. Show ability to turn a subject simulating
unconsciousness from a prone to a supine position
in shallow water. Bring to a safe location and call for
assistance. Establish if the subject is breathing.
Commence resuscitation (if necessary). Show
correct follow-up procedures.

Guidelines

1. As per CFR Handbook.
2. As per Rescue Skills Manual.
3. Demonstration of simple rescue
techniques, using scenarios.
Recognition, Assessment and Action.
(c) Minimum distance 10 metres.
(d) Minimum distance 10 metres.
4. Rescuer must swim the first 100m in his
clothes. Disrobe in water to continue.
5. Eye and voice contact should be
maintained throughout. Use one of the
items of clothing for this rescue. Subject
may be told to be prone or supine.
6. Do not clip on rescue tube
7. Subject must be cooperative and
capable of helping himself to some
extent
8. If the distance is too great, establish if the
subject is breathing. Commence
resuscitation (if necessary) while walking
to safe location

N.B. THE CANDIDATE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO ATTEMPT A PERSONAL CONTACT SWIMMING RESCUE