GUIDE OF

TOURISM
 AQUATIC RESCUE TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION

Designing contingency plans for routes in natural contexts

cultural matters, is part of the work of the tour guide.

In this learning object, different techniques are presented.

water rescue for people in drowning situations and in a timely manner
preventive measures regarding incidents and accidents in water. The professional of
The Tourist Guidance cannot be unaware of the lack of knowledge about these.
techniques and their application, which are fundamental to guarantee the
security for the tourists in their care.

It is important to note that a large part of the tourist activities,

they are related to activities where water is essential for fun
and for rest, and that in this type of spaces it is necessary to have the
greater security in order to counteract difficulties that must be regretted.
 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

CONCEPTUAL MAP

3
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments SENA - National Learning Service
Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander
 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Las técnicas de salvamento acuático están

formed by a set of knowledge and
skills, the tour guide will have to apply them
for the protection and surveillance of tourists who
they enjoy the water areas and are able to be
in a risk situation.

The main objective of rescue techniques

aquatic, it is to recognize the procedures and
tools to be used in case of an emergency;
for this it is required that the guide be trained and
trained appropriately, in such a way that
be able to inform tourists about the
handling of rescue elements, so that
everyone is a collaborator if necessary.

Concepts Related to Aquatic Rescue

Water rescue consists of three aspects, which are:

Seguridad Acuática: Son las normas y regulaciones de seguridad; visibles

oh no; they seek to ensure that the behavior of users in a certain area
bathroom should be managed according to them.

Preventive Salvage: It is the action of anticipating risk situations.

to mitigate its occurrence, based on the rules, or using calls
of attention with signs or signals.

Water Rescue: In the worst case, it is the action of entering the water.
in the midst of a risky situation, approach the person(s) in condition
of danger, take it/them properly and stabilize them, remove it/them from
aquatic environment, and provide them with emergency first aid,
until medical assistance arrives or she can be transferred to a center
hospital attention.

4
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments SENA - National Learning Service
Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander
 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Considerations when Performing a Rescue

Related to Clothing:

Clothing can provide protection in very waters

cold, but it can also be an impediment
at the time of displacement, it is possible that the
victim gets easily trapped in it, which
it would hinder the rescue.
GUIDE OF
TOURISM

The use of a fitted t-shirt is recommended, which and

protect from the cold and serve so that the injured person can
I grabbed her and I can be dragged.

The use of a neoprene vest provides

buoyancy and protects from the cold. As long as the
the temperature of the water allows it, they must be without
mangas, to facilitate swimming, only have
a drawback when immersion is required,
given the extra buoyancy they provide, they can
make that activity difficult.

The safest way for the rescuer to approach a person

who is drowning and is conscious, it is with rescue material, with
vest or naked.

Related to Footwear:

One cannot swim properly with footwear; in fact, even an expert

swimmer if he didn't take off some boots could drown earlier
to be able to take them off. The only footwear that should be used when there are
probabilities of falling into the water, it is one that is easy to remove. The
called nautical are the most appropriate, as they do not have laces
and they withdraw easily. However, if for different reasons such as
beaches with rocky soils, we must protect our feet, we will use a
footwear as light as possible and solely for the purpose of protecting the sole of the
walk until you find enough depth to swim. Once you arrive at
an area where swimming is already possible, the possibility of should be assessed
to free oneself from them definitively, to facilitate the swimming technique or
keep them for later going to the beach.

5
BROAD BEANTraining in Virtual Learning Environments SENA - National Learning Service
Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander
 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

If the use of footwear is necessary during swimming, the most

the so-called booties are appropriate. This footwear protects from the cold.
at the same time it protects the sole of the foot.

Related to Hair:

It is recommended to wear short hair or a very tight swim cap.

long and loose hair makes swimming and vision difficult.

Related to Water Turbidity:

The murky waters are dangerous, even if it is a pool.

A pool in which the bottom cannot be seen is clearly deficient in the

hygienic-sanitary aspect and is also dangerous due to the possibility of
that users can hit unintentionally.

Murky natural lakes can hide shallow bottoms, rocks,

trunks, among others. It is important to keep in mind that accidents in
the aquatic environment, usually causes spinal injuries.

Elements of Water Rescue

Water rescue consists of four fundamental elements:

Sighting
Points of
Reference
Composition
Water Entrance
of the Place

When observing an individual in danger of drowning, it is important

quickly come up with a 'composition of place' in order to
determine what resources can be used in the rescue and establish the
conditions of the place where the accident occurs, in this way it will be possible to
identify safer options for carrying out the rescue. To do this, it is necessary to
review

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Individual's state to be assisted.

a. It is aware apparently
calm, nothing and has difficulties to
return to the shore.

b. He is aware, very nervous, exhausted and

makes gestures. May immerse itself.
intermittently in the coming
minutes. He must be rescued urgently.

She is unconscious and floating between two waters.

Distance in time from the place where

the rescue begins.

State of the sea, river, pool, others.

Associated risks such as rocks, trunks,

walls, others.

Rescue material or tool to be used.

Physical condition of the rescuer.

Place and conditions from where the rescuer and the assisted will leave.

Once the individual to be rescued is sighted, it must be considered that the most
likely, if the approach is made by swimming or with a boat
pneumatics, is that we lose sight of the individual in difficulties, because
What is essential is to take reference points and if possible not to do so.
never lose sight of it.

In situations where a passenger from a vessel falls into the sea,

the vessel will have to make a complete turn and a member of the
the vessel will permanently indicate the location where it is located.

In any case, we will always be notified before we rush to the rescue and how it
we are thinking of doing.

Technological Units of Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Water Rescue

Make reference to the exercise of entering the water at the moment it is perceived.
or announces a risk situation, the steps to follow are approaching
to the person or persons, stabilize them, remove them immediately from the water
and apply basic first aid, in case of severity request
medical assistance and wait until she is transferred to a center of
health.

The entry into the water must be safe for the lifeguard and the injured person;
effective, since it must produce the desired effect and result, and quick because
Time is a determining factor for final success.

At the time of the water rescue, certain techniques must be taken into account.
however, these depend on the equipment available:

Entry into the water without assistance material:

Standing for:

Do not worsen the condition of the injured.

Gain depth

Jumping from a height

Don't sink

Head first for:

Quickly gain surface

Gain depth

It should only be done when it

ensure the security of the
technician

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Water entry with assistance material:

Lifeboat: It is launched and taken ahead

Rescue arm: It must be held in front of the body. The harness.

it must be placed and care must be taken that it does not get caught in
no place.

•Buoy, torpedo or can: They must be carried in the hand and released in the
air.

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Material used in aquatic rescue

Life Rings: They are floating rings, made of

high buoyancy material (ABS plastic or
polyethylene foams.

Pole: It is an aluminum rod, 2.5 to 3 meters in length, with a

hook or ring of the same material (plastic) at one end

Rescue Bag: It is made of nylon, in its

interior contains from 5 to 30 meters of rope
floating, brightly colored. It is used for rescues.
in rivers, floods and deluges; in such a way that
can be thrown at considerable distances.

Torpedo Buoy: Made of floating plastic, with

handles on each side; there are two.
the small one has a rescue rope and the
the big ones are tied with other ropes that are
held on the shore.

Lifeboat Operations

It is important to highlight the significance of the boats

rescue that perform the control function
of the aquatic areas intended for recreation
for tourists.

Lifeboats can have

a design with a flat background of 14, 16 or 18
feet, in such a way that it can withstand the
climatic and environmental conditions of the area
and place 1 or 2 people.

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

THE LIFEGUARD

A lifeguard can be defined,

as a capable person of
make rescues in the environment
aquatic and practice techniques of
first aid for all types of
accident victims, giving special
attention in saving lives
humans. In this sense, the guide
tourism, it should strengthen its
knowledge, skills and
skills related to the
water rescue techniques, taking care to maintain a good
physical state and taking the preventive security measures of their
tourists and of oneself.

Responsibilities and Rights

The responsibilities and duties acquired by a lifeguard:

The Rescuer must possess knowledge at all times.

attitudes necessary to perform their functions.

He must stay in good physical shape constantly.

•They will never perform their duties under the influence of drugs, alcohol, no
must drink alcohol during their workdays.

You must observe and apply the existing protocols at all times.
for any situation.

Self-protection, protection of third parties, and the place as

first performance.

•Impartiality. It will not discriminate for any reason. It will classify based on
due to technical reasons.

Will constantly monitor the patient while in their care.

It will not overstep its functions.

In case of indications of a crime, it will report to the competent authority.

11
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 AQUATIC RESCUE TECHNIQUES

He is responsible for the victim's personal effects.

You must keep professional secrecy.

It will finish its service by sanitizing the material, replacing what is

wasted, adopting general hygiene measures and being diligent
the necessary reports.

Lifeguard Profile

A lifeguard is characterized by:

Organic State: The rescuer must be a

healthy person and in good physical condition. No
must suffer diseases
infectious contagious, nor any other that it
prevents maintaining a high level of performance
physical, technical, or psychological. It is essential
to have a sensory and perceptual state
acceptable. GUIDE OF
TOURISM

Skills: Must be capable of

adequately respond to the needs
that can be raised.

Technical Skills: Must have total

dominion of the aquatic medium, to dominate
technical knowledge (like how to get someone out
of the water, evacuate area, others).

Psychological Skills: Must be tolerant

stress, one must have self-control and ability
of adaptation, ability to take
decisions in a short time and have
social skills, as they will be in
contact with several people.

Attitudes: Every rescuer must have a willingness to serve,

responsibility, availability, closeness, empathy, and flexibility.

12
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Equipamiento del Socorrista

Water safety materials or accessories are essential.

for the proper functioning of the service provision; at the moment
in the event of an accident, injured person, or missing person, it is
requires specialized personnel in water rescue, with a
extensive experience and knowledge in this field.

A good lifeguard should have the following equipment:

Uniform: The lifeguard's uniform must consist of a

swimsuit, shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops, sunglasses, cap with
neoprene suits which are good thermal insulators and increase
buoyancy and sunscreen photoprotectors.

Support Elements: They are considered support elements for the

prevention and surveillance: whistle, walkie-talkie and rescue equipment
and rescue (rescue arm, resuscitation mask, and gloves of
latex to prevent possible infections

The lifeguard station

The lifeguard station must

to be installed in a strategic location and
sure, where the lifeguard can
to remain and at the same time monitor the area of
bathroom with effectiveness, must have a chair,
parasol, portable cooler, and binoculars.

The water rescue material is

composed of:

Rescue arm/torpedo buoy

Support pole

Lifebuoy

Water immobilization stretcher

13
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

First aid kit: It must include

with an oxygen therapy suitcase
(oxygen cylinder, mask, cannulas of
Compresses Guedel, bamboo, and suction device for secretions,
a cervical immobilization collar and the
YODOP OVI DONA

Cotton
p o v Id o n a
y od a d a

basic first aid elements

Chlorhexidine
such as iodopovidone, alcohol, cotton, gauze,
10Envelopes
Wipes impregnated with solution
sterilizing gloves, scissors among others.

Prevention of risk for lifeguards

The equipment to be used in water rescue by the lifeguard is called

Comprehensive Emergency System (SIE), the main function is to provide
immediate help to people who are in situations of risks, accidents
the disappeared.

Before starting the tour of the selected aquatic area, a handout will be given.
a series of basic recommendations for tourists that reference
to the place to visit, in such a way that possible accidents are prevented.

14
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander

 WATER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

GLOSSARY

Lifeguard: It is the person trained to watch over, prevent, and assist,

providing immediate response for water and land rescue and/or
emergency first aid to those in risky situations inside
or around water in recreational and sports aquatic areas, such
like swimming pools, rivers, lakes, or beaches

Salvation: Action and effect of saving or being saved, that is, freeing another.
to oneself from a risk or danger.

Swim: To move in water or another liquid by one's own means,

propelling itself through the displacement of the fluid medium

Injury: Any alteration of the biopsychosocial balance

Rescue: Make an effort greater than normal to achieve escape from

a situation that diminishes us morally, physically, or economically.

Accident victim: It applies to a person who has suffered an accident.

Buoy: It is a floating beacon located in the sea and generally anchored to

fund, which can have various purposes, primarily for the
orientation of the vessels.

Harness: It is a safety element used in very different areas,

from climbing, kitesurfing, mountaineering in general, spelunking, rescues,
river descent (rafting).

Lifebuoy: It is a type of float, which by virtue of agreements

international frameworks for the protection of human life at sea, is
required as mandatory among the safety equipment of boats,
yacht if in general in any type of vessel after a certain
size, with the purpose of being used to rescue castaways or
missing at sea (or in other large bodies of water), so
to keep them afloat and prevent them from drowning.

Aquatic: Of the water or relating to this substance

15
FAVATraining in Virtual Learning Environments

Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander