Basic Water Rescue Course

BASIC COURSE
RESCUE
AQUATIC
REFERENCE MATERIAL

TRAINING PROCESS FOR RESCUERS

BASIC AQUATIC RESCUE COURSE
Search and Rescue Program
First Aid - Colombian Red Cross
Quindío Sectional

Training for rescuers - Colombian Red Cross Quindío Section MR- 1

 Basic Aquatic Rescue Course

Colombian Red Cross

Search and Rescue SAR Program
Departmental Directorate of Lifeguarding
Armenia Quindío

The basic aquatic rescue course aims primarily to equip the

volunteer of knowledge and specific techniques in the aquatic environment and achieve
an advancement in the essential skills, abilities, and attitudes, allowing you
perform their duties as a rescue lifeguard safely and efficiently in the
water world.

Within the training and instruction plan for the rescuers of the section
Quindío, the Search and Rescue program addresses the urgent need for
learn to master and survive in an inhospitable environment, equipped with the
necessary tools for emergency management and control in the region, the
Water rescue undoubtedly constitutes one of the greatest control resources,
planning and preparation to generate security and prevention against the
society through specific techniques and knowledge.

The Search and Rescue program of the Colombian Red Cross Section
Quindío has well-trained and prepared staff for assistance
events of this type create the need for adequate institutional work
necessary in the implementation of training and reinforcement courses
skills for Water Rescue attention, as well as the
update of care protocols for this type of emergencies.

Programa de fortalecimiento para rescatistas

Presented by GUSTAVO ADOLFO TABORDA OSORIO
Helicopter Rescuer / Phase III Instructor
Water Lifeguard Instructor
Armenia Quindío 2013

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

CONTENT
The course will be conducted in 3 phases:
First phase: theoretical and evaluative
• Introduction to Water Life Saving ……………………………… 5
• History of global water rescue ...……………………………………. 6
• Evolution of water rescue tools............................11
• Responsibilities and legal aspects of lifeguards............................... 12
• Some important aspects..................................................13

• Labor competence standard ......................................................... 14

• Performance criteria ..................................................................14

• Essential knowledge and understandings ......................... 15

• LAW 1209 OF 2008 (July 14)...................................................16

• DECREE LAW JUNE 17, 2009

• LAW No. 19 of June 5, 2007
• Suffocation by asphyxiation or by immersion …………………………………………18
• Rescue and aquatic lifeguard equipment ......................... 20
• Personal equipment…………………………………………………………………………20
• Rescue team...............................................21
• Search and rescue team ...................................... 22
• Communication systems using signals ............................23
• Signals with equipment ......................................................... 25

• Water rescue and special situations .........................26

• Assistance throwing objects ………………………………………………………..27
• Rescue techniques ..........................................................28

• Water entrance ……………………………………………………………………….28

• Lunge jump……………………………………………………………………….29
• Standing from a height ...
• Recognitions of possible victims ……………………………………………..30
• Swimming techniques and approach to victims ............................31
• Swimming techniques and victim transportation ………………………………………31
• Trailer and transportation of victims............................34
• Rescue with equipment in the water ………………………………………………36
• Defenses, blocks, and releases ……………………………..…………………..37
• Evasions............................................................37

• Contra presa del socorrista para separar a dos bañistas ……….……………40

• Accident victim lifting system from the water .......................41
• Cervical or back injury in water ………..…………………….42
• Self-survival
• Psychology and water rescue..........................................................45

• Psychological analysis, sequence of action in aquatic rescue...46

• Psychological training of the lifeguard..............................47
• Descripción de las técnicas que pueden resultar útiles ……………………..48
• Application of the different techniques ……………………………………………..50

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

Second phase: Pre-training

A prior training session will be held for physical, physiological, and psychological preparation.
which will take place at the TACURRUMBI training center, said
training is part of the basic processes to achieve skills and
water skills of volunteer staff
TRAINING TOPICS
Physical tests with obstacles
Basic swimming techniques (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke)
• Floating and immersion techniques
Deep object recovery
Displacement within the water
Water entry techniques with breaking
Crawl, back, and chest stroke techniques
Approach and leveling
• Wading and surface support techniques
Simple drag techniques
Management of patients with cervical injury in the water
Techniques of escapes and grips
Self-rescue techniques: how to float, how to undress, how to survive
floating

Third phase: Field practice

A practical fieldwork will be carried out with all the attending personnel at the
previous activities, in order to achieve the objective of the course which is to equip the
Volunteer of knowledge and specific techniques with an advancement in skills,
water rescue skills.
TOPICS OF THE PRACTICAL WORK
Basic swimming techniques: crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke
Victim recovery at the central point of the lake with water access
breaking, approaching, leveling, and recovery of the victim.
Simple drag body to body with movement in over.
Rescue of a victim with two rescuers
Management of patients with cervical injury in water, use of stretcher
Safes and grips in the water
Techniques to get the victim out of the water
Extension rescue techniques
Techniques for throwing a floating object to assist a victim
Use of rescue equipment
Use of life jackets
Use of horizontal ropes or lines
• Self-rescue techniques, personal flotation devices,
Procedures for undressing in the water, using clothing to float
Procedure to survive floating.

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

INTRODUCTION TO WATER LIFE SAVING

The human being is currently not conceived for water. So much so, that its
design has achieved a total adaptation in the world it inhabits until it has become
completely terrestrial and aerobic, but finds in the aquatic environment a
great fascination to the point of understanding this medium and developing the
body skills needed to be in it without feeling completely
threatened or vulnerable.
Water rescue is nothing more than man's struggle for control of the
natural elements, the desire to continuously improve ourselves has allowed for
generations an untiring creativity of equipping themselves with the necessary elements
until achieving almost total mastery at the moment of saving lives in an environment
natural as water is.

To provide a deeper description of methods and initiatives of

man to survive in the aquatic world, as well as the development of the
swimming techniques, it should cover those prehistoric, pharaonic periods,
biblical, ancient, medieval, Napoleonic to the contemporary era, where
the first attempts to develop, regulate, and publish are being made in the world
and massively spread safety techniques, but more than anything rescue techniques
aquatic for use by any swimmer.

Fishing and navigation were activities of trade and exchange among the
ancient towns, parallel to this, water recreation also began to be
popular, with swimming emerging as a primary activity, and very important in the
antiquity, for military purposes, subsequently deriving from the recreational to
the competitive.

As time went by, as the areas near the beaches became populated and
establishing communities, small groups of experienced people or
with civic-mindedness they began to organize into "rescue bodies"
to help both the vessels and the people who needed to be
rescued from this unfamiliar and very dangerous environment.

Later these rescue groups become more organized, the training

begins to involve the equipment of those with the knowledge and
common skills. With the growing popularity of recreational swimming,
governments are beginning to recognize the need to provide security and
preventive processes for people who recreate in aquatic areas, such
such as: lakes, rivers, beaches, and artificial swimming facilities.

Water recreational tourism has become very common and popular in our country.
mostly in the dry season, when the beaches and rivers become places
very frequented by both local and foreign visitors.
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 Basic Water Rescue Course

HISTORY OF WORLD AQUATIC RESCUE

The history of water rescue dates back to the origins of being.

human and its interaction with this environment. Undoubtedly three important reasons,
traits of human nature encouraged our ancestors to take that
first crucial step that has brought us to this day. The search for food,
the sumptuous elements (pearls, coral, shells, etc.) and finally, the most
human of all, curiosity. The bas-relief found in the ruins of the palace.
The Persian king Ashurbanipal II (880 B.C.) indicates that man had already developed
activities that required immersion and highlights the military use that is
it granted to education in the aquatic environment.

The first records date back to the year 168 BC, when the last king of
Macedonia, Perseus, during the wars between Greeks and Romans, threw into the sea,
after their defeat at Pydna by the hand of the Roman consul Paullus Emilio, the
treasures from his palace, whose recovery was thanks to a team of
organized rescuers who participated in the immersion. The emperor
Augustus, in the year 63 BC, also created a body of saviors in Rome.
physical preparation and the education of young Romans, swimming had
enormous importance. Its practice was directed towards a military purpose,
a special section for those young people who excelled in this art, for
to be able to participate in the competitions that were already held at that time).
In the military preparation of the Romans, the participation of the
called "Urinatores", who formed the body of specialized divers in
water operations. These young people were being trained seriously and for
a different way from the others as they practiced holding their breath the longest
possible time.

Photo 1: Cleopatra had a body of young urinators at her service.

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

The Phoenicians, great navigators and merchants, were already forming teams of
swimmers for their trips in case of shipwrecks in order to rescue
goods and passengers. These devices also had the function of maintaining
free of obstacles the port accesses to allow the entry of ships to
the ports.
There are references to the Babylonian people where they are shown in two reliefs.
the importance that swimming had. The first of them shows us how two
swimmers flee from enemy archers and in the second, to a soldier
aided by a Mussuk (air float made based on inflated skins
used among the special detachments of the army), crossing the river. Without
doubt is a precedent of salvation.

In Egyptian culture, swimming was already part of the education plans.

physics in young people. Beginners were educated in the aquatic environment,
They also knew how to dive and applied it in the search for pearls and sponges.
The first known engraving of swimming is dated to the Neolithic period, 30th century BC.
In the far eastern countries, aquatic physical education was intended
fundamentally the upper classes. The children from the age of 10 dominated the
medium. Su-Tunt-Tocon stated in his chronicles: "In the 10th century, 10-year-old children
swimming and sports immersion dominate at the age of 15.

Photo 2: Australia, year 1934, rescue demonstration.

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 Basic Aquatic Rescue Course

With modern navigation aids and highly propelled ships

Nowadays, shipwrecks are relatively uncommon, but prior to these
advances, the sailing ships navigated with compass, sextant, and educated
assumptions. They were always at the mercy of nature. Storms and the weather
inclement, particularly in winter brought tragedies all the time to the
ships that were located along the coastlines. When this happened,
few people knew how to swim and the sometimes icy waters were
merciless even for the most experienced swimmer.

The earliest data on organized rescue history in the world suggests

reference from the Chinkiang Association of China for Life Saving, the
was established in 1708 to rescue sailors in trouble. This
eventually involved specially designed rescue stations
with rescue personnel and boats. Other similar organizations were
established in the early or late 1700s.

It took another of its first steps in 1767 when it was founded in Amsterdam, Holland.
the Society for Rescuing Drowned Persons
Drownings), whose purpose was to try to recover the victims by applying them
first aid, however, this was done through empirical methods.

Almost a century before the birth of the International Red Cross in early 1860,
In 1774, the Royal Humane Society of London already indicated the use of techniques
of rescue along the English Channel. The first ones were then being spread.
printed with recommendations, mainly in advanced countries. The
The Red Cross conference in 1863 had set a single objective: to care for the
wounded in combat.

In the United States, the Massachusetts Human Society was founded in 1786.
with the aim of providing the bather with greater safety through the placement
of signs that provided information for the use of the equipment
rescue provided by society to address emergencies. Also
they built houses to shelter the survivors of the shipwrecks in their
costs. By the mid-1800s, it had 18 stations with boats and equipment
of string launch.

Dr. William A. Newall witnessed a shipwreck near Long Beach in 1839.

New Jersey saw 13 people drown while trying to swim 300 yards.
towards safety. He remembers this tragedy and then, as a Congressman of
The state of New Jersey helped persuade the government to get involved in the
rescue. In 1848, Congress passed the Newell Act and allocated 10 thousand dollars for
to be used to build and equip eight boat stations along the
state coast between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor.

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

Las actividades organizadas de salvamento acuático internacional datan de 1878

when the First World Congress on Aquatic Rescue was sponsored in
Marseille, a city in the south of France. Since then, for decades, in each
independent nation, there have been many outstanding achievements in rescue
aquatic. Because of this, the need for an international forum for
The exchange of ideas was soon recognized.

In 1890, under the direction of Commodore Longfellow, it was founded in New York the
United States Volunteer Lifesaving Corps. From here, they are organized
other chapters of the same in other states of the country. The main objectives of
this organization was: Rescue of drowning victims, Assistance to the injured, Protect
to the public and the teaching of swimming

On January 3, 1891, the Englishmen William Henry and Archibold Sinclair recognize the
need to develop and teach rescue, joining efforts to establish the
Real Society of Salvage with the purpose of complementing the work of the
Real Sociedad Humanitaria to combat the high drowning rate, and the
the organization publishes its first instruction manual. The techniques introduced by
The Society was soon adopted by many countries. The first branch
Australian was organized by small groups of volunteers in 1894 to
serve as a lifeguard on the beaches of Sydney, Australia.

Canada also saw the arrival of water rescue in 1894 when Arthur Lewis
Cochrane emigrated to this land bringing them the rescue skills that
he learned in England, but it was in 1896 that he transmitted them to the students of
Higher College of Canada in Toronto, Ontario.

On April 13, 1907, the first was held in the pool of Club Barcace.
public rescue demonstration in the Republic of Argentina. Later,
At the VII International Red Cross Conference in London in May 1907, the
Argentinians Villalta and Logui present the proposal to create a School of
Salvage in Argentina. It was not until 1928 that it began to operate the
first place at the Los Angeles Spa in Olivos.

The International Lifesaving Federation (FIS) was founded in 1910.

in Saint-Ouen, a small town near Paris, in France. Among the countries
founders were: Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Luxembourg,
Switzerland and Tunisia. By 1914, the Federation was represented by more than 30
national organizations, as full members. It was established to
promote the objectives of water rescue in controlled waters and with
waves around the world

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 Basic Aquatic Rescue Course

Commodore Longfellow is requested by the American Red Cross in 1914 to

that organizes and directs the swimming, safety, and rescue programs
aquatic throughout the country. Through which the Service is established
American Red Cross Lifeguard and Youth Lifeguard Program.

In December 1924, a dual rescue system was established

Surf Lifesaving Australia is responsible for the beaches and the Royal Lifesaving Society
Australia through the other water areas.

1938 saw the birth of the National Aquatic Program in the United States.
Lifeguard. Later, in 1951, the National Council is formed for the
Aquatic Training Cooperation. Subsequently, in 1966, it begins.
National Association of Lifeguards and Waves.

Santiago de Chile took its first steps by training the first group of lifeguards.
in 1964 thanks to the participation of some physical education teachers and
instructores de natación, los cuales acudieron a los conocimientos desarrollados
by the Germans, French, Italians, and Americans, also compiling
information through the YMCA and emphasizing preparation in
first aid.

On March 24, 1971, the World Life Saving (WLS) was founded in Cronulla, New
Southern Gales, Australia. The constitution came into effect on June 14, 1987 with
the formal agreement between the founding countries: Australia, Great Britain, New
New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. By 1994, it was represented by more
of 20 national organizations, as full members.

In 1974, the American Red Cross developed the Advanced Lifesaving Program.
By 1979, the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is established, and
since then this organization has evolved to become the main one
promoter of aquatic rescue in her country.

On February 24, 1993, from the common objectives of the FIS and the WLS emerged a
new and larger international rescue body. The International
Lifesaving Federation (ILS) was officially established by its General Assembly.
in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom on September 3, 1994. At the same time, the FIS
and the WLS were dissolved automatically.

The last major advance in the profession took place in Amsterdam, Holland in
June 2002 when the World Congress on Drowning was held
Drowning 2002. Summit event, where experts from the member countries of the
Federation and other organizations classified the topic by groups and contained it.
most significant, for the standardization of concepts and skills.

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Nowadays, the importance of salvage seems unquestionable.

In our society, there are data, reports, and statistics sufficient
revealing about the importance of prevention and the urgent need for
to have highly qualified rescue teams.
In our study framework, we intend to approach salvation from a
utilitarian and educational perspective that can be applied in different stages of
education, thus guiding the formative process of physical education
to the context of today's society. For this purpose and using it as a reference for
In the realization of this unit, we reflect the following data extracted from a
WHO report.

It is estimated that, in 2001, 685,000 children under the age of 15 lost their lives due to
cause of unintentional injuries such as traffic accidents, falls,
burns and drownings. Around 20% of all deaths due to
Unintentional injuries worldwide occur in children under 15.
years; this type of trauma is among the top 10 causes of
death for this age group.
The main causes of death from unintentional injuries among
children are those caused by traffic accidents (21% for this group of
age) and drownings (19%).

Most studies on accidental drownings focus on children and

In some countries, drowning is the leading cause of death among groups.
of younger age. Especially in colder climates, the cause of death can be
drowning or immersion cooling.
The data shows that men are more likely to drown than
the woman is generally due to greater exposure to aquatic environments
(whether for occupational or recreational use) and alcohol consumption (producing
a decrease in resilience capacity, inadequate judgment, and an increase in
flattery

EVOLUTION OF AQUATIC RESCUE TOOLS

Rescue devices:
The boats, which are most commonly associated with the first
salvavidas eran aquellos usados a lo largo de la costa atlántica. Hechos de
wood weighed between 700 and 1000 pounds and were about 25 to 30 feet long.
Some had air chambers at both ends to help prevent the
sink. They were generally manned by a crew of six men.
Many rescues on the Atlantic coast involved ships stuck on sandbars.
near the beach, having been brought there by the waves of storms or by the
disorientation of their captains. Since these boats were vulnerable to
to capsize, when the seas were high and the sailing ships were being destroyed near the
on the shore the lifeguards turned towards the devices Buoys Shorts.
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 Basic Aquatic Rescue Course

The Boyas Calzones themselves were currently a big lifebuoy. The canvas
it was loosely suspended through the center with two holes for the legs
of a victim, forming a kind of pants. The victim could hang
secure in it with the legs in the holes and the ring under the armpits. The device
Used to deploy this device was more complex.

RESPONSIBILITIES, RULES AND LEGAL ASPECTS

We already know that water rescue is the set of knowledge,

Standards and skills used for effective surveillance, protection, and care
of the people who attend the different aquatic sports areas and
public use recreation, and that may fall into a dangerous situation that
threat to his life.

Water rescue is divided into three aspects:

1. Aquatic safety: these are the safety rules and regulations; visible or
they seek to influence the behavior of users in a certain area
bathroom should be managed according to the same.
[Link] rescue: it is the action of anticipating risky situations.
to mitigate its occurrence, based on the rules, or using calls
of attention with signs or signals.
3. 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 appropriately and stabilize them, remove it/them from the environment
aquatic and provide(s) them with primary emergency care until
medical assistance arrives or can be transferred to a hospital center
of attention.

Rescue and Lifeguarding arises as an activity aimed at rescuing

people in danger, as this task requires constant preparation for
maintain optimal physical condition.

For rescue professionals, it is also, and even more importantly, a

social educational activity, as it physically prepares to be able to save a
life at any moment, without forgetting the great contribution that it entails
practice of any sport both at the physical and intellectual level. The practice
water rescue training begins from the earliest ages,
developing the tests both in the pool and on the beach. The rescue
Aquatic, today it is a sport practically unknown by a large part.
of society, which does not happen in other countries such as Australia,
in which this practice is widely followed by the population.

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 Basic Water Rescue Course

Professional and volunteer lifeguards in places like pools, lakes, and beaches.
they know they are the only ones responsible for providing the most suitable condition
possible safety for users or bathers.

Lifeguards must be aware of the legal conditions of their actions, and they are
responsible for their actions and also for the mistakes they make, since
they could face legal charges for negligence and/or incompetence in their actions.

Some important aspects

• Engage in water activities in areas protected by lifeguards.
• Swim in areas monitored by Surveillance Groups
• Respect the instructions, know and respect the flags
• Do not stray too far from the shore
• swim parallel to the coast and never alone.
• Recognize the bathroom area, identify potential risks.
• Its depth, the water temperature, currents, swells, eddies,
climatic factors
• do not dive headfirst into unknown or unclear depths
• to know the tides, waves, and currents
• be careful with caves, rocks, nets, spiny fish, algae, etc.
• Regulating body temperature, the body must adapt.
gradually to the temperature of the water, wet yourself before entering the
water
• If you feel very cold, go outside immediately.
• Special care should be taken with children if you observe goosebumps.
shivers, take it out of the water and wrap it up.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use protective creams, and try to
drink liquids regularly.
• Respect the digestion time, Avoid eating excessively before
swim, enter the water 2-3 hours after the last meal,
especially if it is very cold or if you are going to do intense exercise.
• Don't lose sight of the children, they don't know the danger, it takes very little.
water for them to drown, an area that seems safe to us,
for them it can be very dangerous. In very crowded areas, they get lost
with ease.
• If you see someone in danger, call for help. Notify the Lifeguard only.
prepared and qualified professional to act. If you are alone, do not attempt.
carrying out the rescue, in many occasions a dangerous situation ends
with two drowned (the victim and the desperate rescuer who becomes
in the second victim.
• You can only help by throwing. o bringing an element closer
(preferably floating or lightweight) to the victim so that they calm down and
keep floating. The element must always be between the victim and
aids to avoid contact.
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• If you are in danger, calm down and ask for help, if it is you who is in danger.
stay calm and try to relax Raise a hand to ask for help,
if you are relaxed it is easier to float.
• Respect hygiene and safety rules, Do not push others, do not
run around pools, do not jump without first ensuring that there are none
nobody under the water, do not sink others, do not eat, do not drink, do not smoke.
• If you are alone, analyze the characteristics of the place (currents, waves, rocks,
winds,) and your limitations before acting, look around you for something
element that can preferably help floating get closer to it
victim or throw it so that it can float.
• Never make direct contact with the victim or take risks as
you can become the second victim.

LABOR COMPETENCY STANDARD

TITLE OF N.C.L 230101144 Guide and assist people in the face of risks
of incidents and accidents in different bodies of water, according to
national and international procedures and protocols established for
safety, rescue and aquatic rescue.

ELEMENT CODE 01 Guide people in the conditions of

risk according to different bodies of water.

PERFORMANCE
1. One (1) direct observation of the instruction given to a group of people,
facing the risks they are exposed to exposed in a body of water
determined.

KNOWLEDGE
1. Oral or written test to assess the knowledge and understanding described
in the numerals from 1 to 9.

PRODUCT
1. A (1) list of recommendations according to the risks of the water body

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

A. The recognition of the existence of the emergency is made by having

It accounts for the performance of people in the body of water and its surroundings.
B. The assessment of individual, collective response capacity and resources
Available technicians are assigned according to the scenario.
C. The evaluation of the inherent and associated risk of the emergency is carried out from
agreement with the conditions of the environment.

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The physical - athletic and psychological performance during rescue tasks is

according to the parameters established in the different bodies of water.
The application of water rescue and salvage techniques is appropriate.
with the stage.
The attention given to the victim follows the life support protocols.
basic and current first aid.
The activation of the emergency system is carried out according to the
characteristics of the event.
The selection of means of transport is made according to the event and
body of water in which the emergency develops.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES AND UNDERSTANDINGS

[Link] between water incident and accident. (A, b, e, g, h).

02. Basic concepts of hydrology and physics applied to different bodies of
water. (a, b, c, d).
03. Risk panorama. (a, b, c).
[Link], uses, and maintenance of rescue water response equipment. (b)
[Link] of appropriate materials for improvising tools for
water rescue. (B, c, e).
06. Principles of physical conditioning - athletic. (d, e).
07. Swimming techniques, water rescue, and free diving (d, e).
[Link] techniques and stress management (d, e, f).
09. Rescue maneuvers without water entry and approach without entry.
f, g).
10. Body-to-body rescue procedures and victim extraction
of water. (d, e, f, g).
[Link] life support and first aid protocols. (D, e, f, g).
12. Local emergency medical systems. (d, e, f, g).
13. Safe transportation systems for the victim in case of emergencies
aquatic. (g, h).
14. Chain of custody. (e, f, g)

NEW LAW ON SWIMMING POOLS

The following decrees and laws established by the national government apply with
Validity in the Colombian territory, it is the duty of the lifeguard rescuer
to know and to make known the aspects of these laws, which is only for the
knowledge of this course I relate as a character of importance the
General provisions of the law, and it is mandatory for the lifeguard.
to know the rest of the established laws as a reference.

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LAW 1209 OF 2008 (July 14)

Through which safety standards in swimming pools are established
DECREES:
CHAPTER I
General provisions

Article 1°.
Object. The purpose of this law is to establish the rules aimed at
provide safety and adapt the pool facilities in order to prevent
accidents, health problems and protecting the lives of users of these, without
without prejudice to what other regulations may provide, concurrently,
may be applicable to them.

Article 2.
Scope of application. The scope of this law extends to all swimming pools
collective use that, regardless of its public or private ownership, is
they are ubiquitous in the national territory.

Article 3.
Private residential properties. In the case of swimming pools in
private residential properties, these must be incorporated if they already exist
or include in its future construction, motion sensors or alarms of
immersion and the vacuum release safety system

DECREE LAW JUNE 17, 2009

What obligations do those responsible for swimming pools and similar structures have?

1. Carry out the control of physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics in the
treatment and use of pool water; likewise in the control of samples
of surface (internal transit areas of enclosures, platforms, bathrooms, showers,
dressing rooms, Lavapiés and wet areas) with the purpose of eliminating fungi and
yeasts.

2. Operate and maintain in sanitary conditions the good state and functioning
of the complementary and annex facilities.

3. Implement and make effective health education campaigns and disseminate

broadly the obligations that bathers have to preserve the quality
of water, good use and safety in pools.

4. Demand the withdrawal or prohibit entry into the swimming pool basins and structures
similar to any person who violates the provisions of the Regulation of
Uso previsto por el responsable; igualmente está facultado para exigir el retiro o
prohibit the entry of individuals who threaten public morality.
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LAW No. 19 of June 5, 2007

What regulates the practice of the professional craft of Aquatic Rescue and dictates
other provisions

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DECREES

CHAPTER I
General Provisions

Article 1.
This Law regulates the practice of the professional trade of Aquatic Rescue.
subject to the provisions of this Law and its regulations.

Artículo 2.
The professional of Aquatic Rescue, the lifeguard, is the trained person.
in special techniques and skills to ensure the well-being and safety of
people, as well as to initially assist them in risky situations that
they threaten your life, in and around the water. The tasks and functions of this
profession will be practiced in the areas of recreation or water sports in the
public or private facilities within the national territory.

Article 3.
The professional profession of Aquatic Rescue is recognized as high-risk.
since the person who performs it faces situations of constant
exposure to solar radiation and humidity, with the possibility of acquiring
conditions related to such exposure; moreover, it faces the
possibility of bringing infectious diseases when supplying the
first aid, from suffering injuries or accidental death while carrying out the rescues and
possible aggression from users who do not follow the instructions of
security.

Article 4.
The provisions contained in this Law are aimed at:

1. Safeguard life and seek the well-being of the people who come to
the aquatic areas.
2. Protect the aquatic environment, its flora and fauna.
3. Preserve and protect the rights of lifeguards as professionals
of Aquatic Rescue.

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Drowning by asphyxia or by immersion

What do we understand by drowning?

We understand drowning as death by asphyxiation occurring after immersion in.
water or another liquid, in such a way that when the airways are blocked by
water prevents the passage of atmospheric air and oxygen to the respiratory system.
We encompass under the term secondary drowning the set of
injuries that appear 24 hours after immersion either due to lung infection or
due to injuries in various organs including the lungs. There are two types of
drownings
Dry drowning: it occurs due to a spasm of the glottis caused by laryngospasm.
what water does not reach the interior of the bronchial tree; it is also called
white drowning, due to the pale appearance of the victim.
Wet drowning: there is aspiration of liquid into the lungs after the initial phase.
of laryngospasm, due to stimuli from hypoxia and hypercapnia in the center
respiratory of inspiration; it is called blue drowning and represents the
authentic drowning asphyxia case.
The highest frequency of events occurs in childhood, between the first and
five years of life, this occurs in cases where there is neglect, on the part of
family members fall into unguarded wells, pools, or swimming pools; Subsequently, there is
another period of highest frequency, between fifteen and twenty-four years, in
lower proportion under the effects of alcohol and other drugs. On the other hand,
depending on the medium in which it occurs, immersion can be by:
Sea water: which is hypertonic, what causes the movement of liquid towards the
bronchi and alveoli, hindering gas exchange, reaching the
death by asphyxia, hypoxia, acidosis, and pulmonary edema.
Salt water causes destruction of the alveolus and alterations in distribution
of liquids and ions, in such a way that by their composition, and contrary to water
sweet, it promotes the passage of liquid to the alveoli from the blood.
The bronchi and the alveoli are therefore flooded with salt water.
and by a filtration of the blood capillaries. On the other hand, some ions such as the
sodium, chlorine, and magnesium pass into the blood from the alveoli flooded by the
salt water. These alterations will result in a decrease in volume.
circulating blood.
Freshwater: it is hypotonic and quickly moves from the alveolus to the bloodstream.
circulatory, causing hypervolemia and hemolysis, which leads to death due to
ventricular fibrillation, hypoxia, and pulmonary edema.
Both freshwater and saltwater cause damage to the alveoli. Water
sweet, due to its composition, tends to move quickly from the alveolus
towards the vascular torrent causing an increase in the circulating volume in the
blood vessels. Furthermore, the freshwater that does not enter the circulation and that
deposit in the lungs is very damaging to the alveoli causing
subsequently the injuries from secondary drowning with destruction of the
wall of the alveolus and reservoir of liquids and proteins.
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Drowning in swimming pools: it is the same as fresh water, with the added problem of chlorine that
produce toxic action on the alveolar wall.

Drowning in contaminated waters: which presents two additional problems:

Bacterial contamination and chemistry. In any case, the main
What happened after the immersion is arterial hypoxemia.
Initially, after the total immersion in the water, the victim, seized by panic, inhibits
his breathing as he struggles and thrashes violently. The agitation little by little
disappears while small amounts of air exit from the lungs and from the
the same way large amounts of liquid are swallowed and inhaled. The vomits.
they are frequently associated in relation to the ingestion of a large amount of
liquid. Finally, all reflections of the airway and the water disappear.
passively penetrates the trachea, succumbing and causing the stop
cardiac.
In all the drowned, a certain degree is produced, to a greater or lesser extent.
from hypothermia, which in a way protects the brain from hypoxia. In
On occasions, trauma is usually the main event that precipitates the
Immersion; cervical and thoracic injuries often coexist, which are not
advertised and lead to disastrous consequences.

What external appearance can the injured person present?

Blue asphyxia: Related to respiratory arrest due to bronchial spasm

but with preservation of heart rate, although weak. The injured person does not
breathe and, due to the lack of oxygen, we appreciate an intense coloration
purplish or violet spots on the skin, especially on the face, hands, and nails. The lack of
Cerebral oxygenation can lead to the onset of seizures.

White drowning: Linked to cardiac and respiratory arrest. The patient does not
breathes, has no pulse, is pale, with dilated pupils and loss of tone
muscular.

What injuries are associated with immersion?

Fundamentally, hypothermia can cause death on its own.
What happens when the body reaches a core temperature of 28º C?
six hours in water at 15º C or fifteen minutes in water at 4º C cause cessation
cardiac.
As a consequence of hypoxia, destruction of the red blood cells usually occurs.
red blood cells or erythrocytes and the formation of clots within the vessels, as well as
renal alterations. Severe brain sequelae can occur in 15-
30% of the drowned.

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What will the prognosis of the drowning person depend on?

Fundamentally from the immersion time, the temperature (hypothermia) and the
quality of the liquid (freshwater, seawater, mud, wastewater), the precocity
from basic resuscitation, the proper transportation in a mobile unit and the
quality of Intensive Care.

What can we do in the event of drowning?

The first thing is to implement some basic safety measures to
reduce the number of casualties: in case of strong currents or waves
consider the possibility that our strengths may fail us. Likewise, we must prevent
to the people who don't know how to swim to jump in to help the drowning person; remember
the motto 'better a drowned man than two'.

Once the rescue is completed, initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers.

basic (basic CPR), if possible, even in the water, while approaching
to the shore. Upon reaching the shore, quickly draining the water by placing the victim
face down with hips raised and head tilted for 8-10
seconds. Once the drainage is done, proceed to perform artificial respiration
mouth to mouth.
If possible, application of oxygen mask upon starting movements.
respiratory.
Never forget the circulatory recovery, so if there is no pulse we will have
to combine mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration with cardiac massage
external.

Important recommendations before arriving at the hospital

• Never stop performing the resuscitation maneuvers, no matter how

desperate as the situation may seem.
• No time should be wasted in starting the transfer.
• Transport all children who have experienced immersion to the hospital even if
be alert or aware.
• Remove the wet clothing to check for possible associated injuries and
avoid, at the same time, continuous cooling.

RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND AQUATIC FIRST AID

The material used by the rescue and lifeguard personnel and

also in aquatic emergency is the following.

PERSONAL TEAM - UNIFORM:

Many places require a specific type of uniform for lifeguards due to
Such reason is important to keep it clean and to use it only when necessary.

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SWIMSUIT: A nylon swimsuit is ideal as it dries quickly.

quickly. It must be colorful to be easily recognized.

T-SHIRT: this is used for extra protection against the sun and should be
easily identifiable.

HAT: it is used for sun protection on the head and for

It will be mandatory to wear a hat in all tests. All the
members of the same team must wear the same hat. In the tests of
The swimming cap will be made of latex, silicone, lycra, or similar. In the tests of
In Open Water, the cap will be made of Lycra, fabric or similar, and will be tied under the
chin.

WHISTLE: its function is to attract the attention of bathers

-SUNGLASSES: they should not reflect or have a high degree of water filtration and
sunlight
RESCUE TEAM

SHOOTING WAD: the shooting wad

it is mainly used in swimming pools and
camps by the water, this must be
to have approximately 10 to 15 feet of
long and can be made of bamboo, aluminum or
fiberglass.
BEAVER STAFF: A beaver staff is
a long, lightweight stick with a hook on it
extreme, the hook must be sufficiently
large enough to surround the victim.
BOYA TORPEDO: the latest models are made of floating plastic,
There are handles along each side. They come in two sizes, the
the little ones have a rescue rope, while the bigger ones
they are tied to another rope secured on the shore.
CORDS AND REELS: they are approximately 500 and 600 feet long,
at one end of the cord there is a hook or ring that allows to hold a
rescue buoy or tire, it is necessary to have another rescuer to handle it
the spool while another is moving the tire to the victim.
RIGID TABLE: they can be made of marine wood or plastic,
It has handles and sliders underneath to make it easier.
her uprising.
LIFESAVING BOARD: A lifesaving board is a piece of equipment
rescue that is used in open water, provides more buoyancy and
holds the victim and the helper.

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LIFESAVING BOAT: The drag boat is a common type of boat used

in lifesaving operations, it must be in an easily accessible location and
that allows to be used along the beach or lakes for patrols, contains
extras remos, rescue buoys, reach pellets, anchor and cords
life jackets, first aid kit.

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS

RESCUE ROPE: specialized ropes for rescue

aquatic with anti-floating quality and distinctive fluorescent colors,
These ropes may come with attachments of small buoys or other devices.
of buoyancy.
-
SWIMMING FINS: lifeguards in open water areas must
use swimming fins for the following reasons: the helper has to
cover long distances, assist the victim in deep areas and in the
search and rescue operations.
-
MASK OR MASK: a mask must have a plate of
unbreakable and tempered glass coating, it must be mounted
in a flexible plastic band that adjusts to another reinforcing band
of anticorrosive metal or plastic.
-
BREATHING TUBE OR SNORKEL: it is a hollow rubber tube from 12 to
15 inches long with a soft rubber nozzle, it can be
constructed from a single molded piece or having a flexible section of
rubber on the curved part of the tube.
-
DROPPERS: it is an element 12 to 16 feet long with a
large and smooth hook on one end used to search for bodies or pieces
of equipment lost in dark or murky water areas.
-
-LIFEBUOY: it is made of solid floating plastic with a rope
tied, this must hold the lifeguard and the helper at the same time.
-
TARRO OR GALLON: it is a one-gallon plastic container with half
water inch which can be used as a lifebuoy if it
It ties to a rope and is very useful for long-distance rescue.
-
RESCUE BUOY OR TORPEDO: it is made of durable floating plastic,
light and strong, it has handles on each side where one can hold on
the victim and the helper and a rope with a shoulder strap on the other
extreme.

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COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS THROUGH SIGNALS

Las señales deben ser sencillas, claras y fáciles de entender cuando se usen.
WHISTLE: it is a means of communication frequently used by the
lifeguards, a whistle in good condition can produce a loud and firm blow
to generate a shrill tone that cuts through any noise, it is
It is important that the whistle is used sparingly and only when necessary.

A short beep is to attract the attention of a swimmer who can.

find in risk of a deep or dangerous area.

Two short beeps are to call the attention of another staff member.
lifesaver

Three long beeps announce that there is an emergency in progress and assistance is required.
help.

HAND SIGNALS: in certain situations, signals can be used

manuals in combination with those of the whistle.

Point out, to get attention, the

life jacket aims directly to the
individual as a sign that it is at risk
When swimming in the area, you can be accompanied.
from a short beep

Directional movement: a swimmer

find in an area of possible danger and the
lifeguard announces an exit from the outside
ready of the area, in case that the
The lifebuoy is in the water, it is used for
ask for help from another lifeguard.

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Stop, with the arm straight and extended and the

direct palm to the swimmer and firmly,
indicates that one must stay in a place
sure.

Help is required, the arm is raised

up and down with the hand over the level of
shoulder and with a closed fist.

The situation is under control, the hand is placed over and next to the head.

Situation under control in the rescue, the arm is extended directly from a
side by side with the palm open or with the previous step with the hand on the
head.

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SIGNALS WITH EQUIPMENT

These signals can be made by a second assistant, it is placed
vertically the torpedo over the head and moves from side to side and is used
as a sign that assistance is on the way.

Situation under control, the torpedo is placed at

horizontal rescue above the head as well
you can use another element like the boat oar.

Banners can be placed on the lifeguard's chair or nailed into the

arena to indicate dangerous situations in a specific area.

The lifeguards must raise the flag that indicates to users the
level of danger of the sea and they must change it when for some reason that
Danger levels may vary. They should be displayed on informative posters.
meanings of each of the flags since there are different ones in different countries
different symbologies.

The flags will have measurements of 1.5 meters by 1 meter and will be hoisted at
less than three meters high in places of easy visibility. In other countries, they
they are used in a triangular (isosceles) shape with the base of the triangle towards the mast of the
flag with a ratio of: base 1, sides 1.5, taking into account that the
the base will have a minimum of 50 cm by 75 cm. The sides, located at a height
minimum of 2 meters and one will be placed every 50 meters.

The colors and their meanings are:

GREEN: bathing is allowed, no measures are necessary.

special. Also, there should be complementary flags that will help to
the best understanding of the dangers that may arise in the area.

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YELLOW: dangerous beach, swim with caution, swimming allowed under certain conditions
limitations, swimming is prohibited where one cannot stay touching the bottom
with the head out of the water. Appropriate safety measures will be taken
for each situation of danger or risk to the health of the users.

RED: swimming is prohibited, it will always be present on prohibited use beaches.

on dangerous beaches and on free ones when bathing poses a high risk
for people's lives it can be due to sea conditions, weather, for
marine fauna, floating elements, pollution, etc.

RESCUE IN WATER AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Scope assistance, in scope assistance, the helper must

secure firmly to the edge of the pool or cover and extend carefully
the hand or the leg towards the victim until achieving a grip on them and
keep it in a secure position.

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Assistance wading, the lifeguard can advance

in the water up to chest height with relative
safety, then lean your back towards the shore and
grabbing the victim, he pulls her tightly until
to secure it.

Use of free floating support can avoid contact

personnel using rescue equipment such as
boards, float cushions, torpedoes, etc. In these
cases can encourage the victim to
hold the object and swim or push towards
a safe place.

ASSISTANCE THROWING OBJECTS

You can throw a ring buoy, a rescue tire, or any object and
this way the victim can grab it and be taken to a safe place, manner of
launch:

Get into a safe position

and keep your balance
Bend your knees
He stepped on the other end of the rope.
Drive the launch in such a way
that the object falls beyond
the victim, but within their reach.
When the victim grabs the
object. Keep talking to it
time that is gradually taking away
little to a safe place, the body
the rescuer must lean
towards the opposite side of the
victim.

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Another way, taking into account the distance between the victim and the rescuer, is
swim with the ring buoy until reaching the victim and quickly passing it to them
The ring buoy can safely pull you to shore by dragging you.

Launching jar or bag, are some other elements that serve in a way
similar to being thrown by the rescuer near a person at risk of
drowning.

LIFESAVING TECHNIQUES

WATER ENTRANCES

Rescue starts with an appropriate and safe entry into the water
the entry can be in a pool, in a pond, river, lake, or the sea, the
It is important to know the depth of the water; if you do not know it, consider it.
a slow and safe entry, it is important to consider the height above the water and the
clarity of it, this will determine the type of input that should be made.

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LUNGE JUMP, the purpose of the lunge jump is to maintain the

head above the water level and eyes on the victim, the water must have for
at least 5 feet deep and the side of the pool or jumping area cannot
be more than 3 feet tall, jump into the water with your legs in a lunge position or
scissors, tilting the body forward and at an angle, use your arms for assistance
open and slowing the sinking of the body upon hitting the surface of the
water.

FROM A HEIGHT, it must be done when

you have to enter the water from a height of
more than 3 feet. The water has to be deep. The
The safe way to enter the water is vertically.
with arms at the side, legs together and knees
slightly bent, head up and eyes focused
in the victim.

Other ways to enter the water is the most

simple which is to sit at the edge of the pool or
entry place and smoothly gliding without
cause splash in the water
To enter the sea, the rescuer must run into
direction to the sea and take a quick dive
frequently sticking out the head to visualize
the victim.
Surface dives are very useful in
pools, lake, and the sea to gain movement and
speed to reach the victim.

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RECOGNITION OF POSSIBLE VICTIMS

Most people who are drowning are unable to call for help, a
skill that must be developed by lifeguards is the ability to
to recognize that someone needs help. The first concern must be
Can the victim support themselves? What is the effective and safe way to
help? Let's get to know some types of victims in an aquatic crisis.

TIRED VICTIM is a person who is too tired and has difficulty.

to reach the shore or the side of the pool, but it is not in danger
immediate.

VICTIM IN DISTRESS, it refers to a person unable to reach a safe place without

help, but able to stay afloat and breathe and call for help

DROWNING VICTIM is one who is unable to stay afloat, breathe or

ask for help

ACTIVE VICTIM, it is a person who desperately tries to

staying on the surface, take a breath and your body remains in a nearly vertical position
vertical, head back and flailing

PASSIVE VICTIM, it refers to a person who is floating face down on the

water surface

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SWIMMING TECHNIQUES AND APPROACHING VICTIMS

The approach to a victim who is drowning must be done with

speed and care, this decision will depend on the condition of the victim, waves
if you are in open sea, water temperature and your own physical condition.

FREESTYLE STROKE, the freestyle is undoubtedly the fastest of all strokes.

of approach, it should be done with the face in the water to lessen the
frontal resistance and maximize speed, it is also effective for
constantly visualize the victim.
BREASTSTROKE, although the breaststroke is slower than the freestyle, it is
a very effective stroke of approach that allows the lifeguard to swim in
the surface or underwater; combines speed and energy conservation
it has the advantage of keeping a direct view of the victim and breathing
constantly while approaching
LEVELING, the leveling of the lifebuoy is relatively a slow approach
and safe to the victim, this will give her the opportunity to identify which maneuver of
He will be able to use and what procedure to use for dragging the victim,
Leveling on the surface of the water is staying afloat while the victim gives the
opportunity to help you be rescued

SWIMMING TECHNIQUES AND VICTIM TRANSPORT

INVERTED SCISSOR KICK, this move is performed like a normal scissor kick,
except that the leg closest to the surface (upper leg) extends
backwards and the leg furthest from the surface (bottom leg) extends
forward

ELEMENTAL KICK STRIKE, a lifeguard can possess a kick strike

more powerful elemental from the back than the scissors.

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ROTATION KICK, this kick was developed for use in water polo,
it can also be used for water rescue, it is a changing movement in
each leg that hits the water through the amplitude of removal or whirlpool,
it is better when combined with the breaststroke, it is very useful in handling
from a patient with spinal cord damage or when it is necessary to maintain
out of the water a load or some element.

Dives, the dives are a skill that the lifeguard possesses to the
recovery of victims at depths, some of these dives can
standing, quick pick and dive with swimming.

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I need immersion from behind,

it is a technique that is done alone
when the lifeguard is safe
from the depth of the area where
himselffind the victim y
basically it is to dive in
beneath the victim seeking its
disorientation and coming out from behind
to grab it with one arm
crossed between the shoulder and the armpit
opposite.

APPROACH DE FRONT,
the victim being on the
the surface is very easy its
approach and its grip of
front, it's to take it by the hand
contrary to yours, turn it in the
same surface and cross the arm
through the shoulder and the opposite armpit
from the victim.

APPROACH FOR BEHIND,

when we have a victim about
the surface passively or
active, we approach from behind and
we leveled our position to
then use some technique of
secure grip for the victim and
to be able to tow it to the shore.

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SWIMMING ASSISTANCE is a way to help the victim consciously achieve

a better movement over the surface can be done face on or from the side
back depending on the case, it can also be done alone or with another rescuer.

Towing and Transportation of Victims

The purpose of a trailer or

transport is to take the victim to a
safe place where I can be attended
timely by the lifeguard, must
be quick and effective in case of making
long-distance transport is
preferably request support from a
boat or a rope to
improve the mobility.
TRACTION BY A WHEELBARROW, take the
leveling position near the
victim, then take it by the armpit and
swim with the stroke technique of
backstroke or side stroke, using the
another arm to tow it.
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DOUBLE AXLE TRAILER, take the leveling position and ready, grab the
victim by the armpits and level it on the surface keeping the head out of the
water, for displacement it is recommended to use the kicking technique in
rotation.

DOLL TRAILER, used for the care of passive victims, must be taken
the victim's doll and lean back with a side stroke swim
or elemental back, using the other free arm for dragging and keeping the
victim's face out of the water.

CROSS-BODY TRANSPORTATION
it is mainly used for the victims
active, it is very comfortable for the
victim for staying out of the water
and it is difficult to use by the lifeguard in
long distances.

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TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATE DE
CROSSBODY, place the arm
of the helper on the shoulder of the
victim and with the hand covers the armpit
from the victim or below.

TRANSPORTATION WITH UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM, both hands are placed on the

parietal area of the victim's head and keeping it out of the water
make a move using the rotary kick or chest kick technique
inverted.
This method of transporting unconscious victims is not recommended.
for patients with possible spinal injury, another priority way is to place
one hand on the victim's forehead and the other underneath the nape of the same
carry out the same displacement procedure.

RESCUE WITH EQUIPMENT IN THE WATER

The procedures for using rescue equipment such as the torpedo,
a tire, a lifebuoy, or another element are in a way a resource
practical assistance, in all cases of the victim's relocation, and of
maintenance of buoyancy of it.
The lifeguard should know how to use it easily and it should not be an obstacle.
for swimming or assisting the victim for this reason these elements must go
subject to the helper on the wrist, shoulders or maybe ankles, it all depends on
equipment used.
Let us remember that we can transport our victim by simply passing them the
floating object and drag it to the shore
If we use a torpedo, it should go under the back of the person being assisted and it
they will use the same safe towing techniques to the shore, these teams are
tan effective what
they serve to maintain
the helper to the y
aided outside of the
water can also
to give breathing
immediate placing
the floating object
under her back
and keeping out the
face of the assisted.
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DEFENSES, BLOCKS AND RELEASES

A person who does not know how to swim or who for any reason thinks they are going to.
to drown, struggle for your survival and at times, you may find yourself
face to face with a victim in a state of panic, it is important to keep in mind that the
strength is maximized by the increase of body adrenaline, and
movements are often desperate and uncontrolled, this type of person
almost always grabs the head, neck, wrists, or arms of the person
that will help, for this reason, a quick reaction from the part is advisable
of the helper.

BLOCKING WITH ONE OR TWO HANDS, is a

way to prevent the victim from clinging to
you, make a block by placing the palm
from a high hand on the victim's chest,
mientras se inclina y se sumerge; el mismo
the procedure can be done with both
hands while submerging to avoid the grip
by the victim.

EVASIONS, if you are caught by the victim there are several options available and
of agility: swimming to a safe place with the victim hanging, diving to
break contact and evade and rescue quickly.

EVASION FOR GRABS BY THE HEAD FROM THE FRONT, proceed as follows
method: take a breath, tuck your chin or turn your head to one side, immerse yourself
with the victim, put your hands on the victim's elbows and push them towards
up and out, swim out of their reach and carry out a procedure of
rescue

Another way is by passing

one of his hands turned
above one of the
arms of the victim and
taking her doll or
forearm and pressing
upwards makes it turn
all your body doing
a grip and later a
safe towing.

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EVASION TO AVOID GRABS BY THE CHEST, a simple way to evade

victim is placing their hands in front of their face and tilting their chin down
back, another way is covering their airways (nose and mouth) and moving their face
backward, if you are stronger than the helper, place a knee in between
both and tried to force the release.

EVASION FOR GRABS FROM BEHIND,

although the technique may seem complicated
the procedure is very simple,
you simply need to take the thumb
of the victim and together the doll and
turning it outward sinking to
move behind the victim and grab
to proceed with a safe towing.
Another way is to take it with both hands
fingers pinky fingers del aided for
subsequently separate your arms at the same time
that we elevate them.
We will let go of the right hand to go look for
the left elbow of the assisted person and making
dislocation lay the injured person on
our chest.

EVASION FOR GRIPS ON THE WAIST FROM THE FRONT OR BACK

FROM THE FRONT, The right hand will pass behind the attacker's head until
place it on your right side, and the left hand pressed on the left side,
Once the head of the injured person is secured like this, the rescuer will start by turning the...
gently and smoothly until placing the back of the aggressor on
his chest. Without releasing the head, the lifeguard will start the drag with a kick of
inverted armbar calming the aggressor at all times.

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WITH BACKS, Placing the helper's hands over the hands of the
the aggressor will immediately realize which hand they will ride, if this were the
right, the lifeguard will take one, two, or more fingers with his right hand and the
will open outward breaking the dam, then it will pass its elbow through
inside the attacker's arm and passing the head below, we will make them turn
until their back reaches our chest.
We place our left hand on his forehead, and with a breaststroke kick
inverted we start the drag calming throughout the journey to the
accident-prone.

EVASION FOR HAIR GRABS, If he grabs our hair with his right hand
the steps that the lifeguard will follow are as follows:
With the lifeguard's right hand turned upward, she will grab the wrist.
right of the aggressor, and with his left hand, he will grab the elbow, this grip of the
the wrist and the elbow will be done at the same time.

Next, in order to play with the aggressor's shoulder joint.

we will place your arm at a right angle, and by leveraging your elbow we will do
turn the aggressor until their back is in front of our chest.
This same technique will be used for the wrist grip.
Once the previous movement is finished, the rescuer will place his hand
left on the forehead of the injured person to place the head on
hyperextension and the rescuer's right hand is still holding onto the wrist of the
"aggressor", we start the drag with an inverted breast kick and cheering on.
and advice to the injured during the journey.

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EVASION FOR NECK GRABS WITH HANDS IN FRONT is carried out

the same technique seen before except that the right arm of the
The rescuer must go over the victim's left arm.

AGAINST THE RESCUE WORKER TO SEPARATE TWO BATHERS

It can happen that two swimmers stop swimming and hold onto each other,
resulting in a struggle that exhausts both and with the aggravating factor of dying
drownings. In these cases, the lifeguard has to separate the two swimmers,
take one away and then go back for the other, if necessary. The way
to carry out the counter dam is as follows:
The lifeguard swims to reach a position behind one of the swimmers, grabs
him by the chin with both hands and, resting his forearms on the
the swimmer's shoulders sink them both. While performing this operation, he will lift
a leg until passing it over the shoulders of the bather, to whom it has
held by the chin, and,
putting the foot in the
shoulder del another I
will push down (without
kick it.
At the same time, pull the one that
he has caught by the chin
backwards and separates the one
from the other. As soon as the two
there are to be separated
he will take the one he has caught
he will go for it again
another, if necessary.

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ACCIDENTED LIFTING SYSTEM OUT OF WATER

Conscious victim
In this case, it will be the victim themselves who helps us and indicates the best way
cómoda para efectuar su extracción, teniendo en cuenta en todo momento las
possible injuries that one may suffer.

2. Unconscious or incapacitated victim

a) In beaches: In beaches in areas where the bottom is not excessively hard
abruptly and gradually decreases, we can patiently extract
dragging him by the armpits in such a way that his feet brush against the ground, Also
we can hold the individual transversely over our hips, holding them
with one hand on the shoulders and the other on the feet, using the technique of
firefighter transport

b) In pools: There are two methods to take it out of there:

Hoisted up the ladder, when the rescuer arrives with the accident victim to the
little ladder, this one is taken by placing the injured person facing you and without
the lifeguard lets go of the ladder, sinks, and places the injured person on his
Shoulder. Once the injured person is placed over their shoulder, they will begin to rise.
until the buttocks of the injured person are at the edge level; It will sit him down
taking him by the head and will throw him down. Then, the lifeguard will come out of the water and will
it will drag until the accident victim is out of the water.
This system is used when the person is heavy or when we meet.
near the ladder.
Raised on one side, when the rescuer reaches the shore, he turns the injured party.
looking outside the pool, the lifeguard will place the victim's hands
mounted on top and out of the water (first one and then the other). The lifeguard
leaning with one of her hands on top of the injured person's hands and the other to the
the height of your shoulder will come out of the water. Without letting go of the support on the hands of the
the injured person will intertwine their arms grabbing the right wrist of the
injured with his right hand and the left with his left hand. From this
way will turn the injured person until they are facing the pool.
Placing a foot on the edge, separating a few centimeters from the injured person
edge and giving a push will take it out.

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CERVICAL OR BACK INJURY IN WATER

The most serious injuries that can occur in the aquatic environment are those that
they affect the spine, especially those occurring at the level of
neck that can consequently cause immediate paralysis and
drowning.
This type of injury is the result of: head impact dives
against the background or objects; impact with the water surface at high speed when
jumping from height; using windsurfing boards; surfing; bodyboarding or any type of
vessel;... If this type of accident occurs, it is necessary to act.
quickly and in a coordinated manner, since these victims usually tend to
lie face down and more than one helper will be needed to act
correctly.
Notice will be given and help will be requested.
We will enter the water carefully and we will approach carefully.
to avoid creating waves that move the victim. The neck will be stabilized.
victim before turning her face up. To do this, we will use the arm techniques in
you, or the winch maneuver.

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AUTO SURVIVAL

Survive In water, it depends on three factors: Knowledge, equipment and

training. Without any of these three requirements, hopefully, one can save the
situation, but it will be more difficult and the chances of coming out unscathed are lower. It is
It is convenient to remember that urgent actions are based on reactions.
largely contemplated.
It will never happen to me! is the first thing we all think in the face of the possibility.
that something does not turn out as we planned. But we must know that at sea or in
any waterway is always lurking and even the best hunter can be caught off guard
the hare can escape. When sailing in cold waters, it's better to be safe than sorry.
to cure... and moreover, "he who does not anticipate... will hardly be able to cure in time." Therefore
Here are some tips.

Do it like a game that could possibly save your life.

A better way to survive on your own in a very large body of water

specifically in the sea, it is to save all possible energy, allows
let the currents of water carry you, they usually go to the shores
and it is there where you need your reserve energies to swim to the
shore, when you do, try to swim away from the reefs and rocks in the
shore, nothing in a diagonal shape in the same direction that the waves smile.
2. If continuing in open water, save energy by swimming on your back,
but with the variation in the kicking and pulling technique. The position of the
The back rescue technique is similar to that known in swimming.
but with the difference that the kick is an open chest kick
inverted and the stroke is open and extended to the sides.
3. Buoyancy is an important basis for self-survival.
normally when we fall off a boat we do so with
all our clothes on, let's take advantage of the shirt for example
to inject air and make a flotation device; let's use our jeans or
pants to make a life jacket, the only thing that cannot
Weighing down are our shoes; we must get rid of them.

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PSYCHOLOGY AND AQUATIC RESCUE

Before we begin, we must clarify that this article intends to

analyze one of the many aspects that can be improved today in the
Water Rescue. Unfortunately in our country, it is a task that does not
is usually properly contemplated in the legal framework (except for swimming pools of
collective use), or in its case, presents many deficiencies.

From the moment humans think, they behave in a certain way.

form depending on their mood, their problems, what they perceive
en el momento, de si se siente o no amenazado u observado, de sus
expectations, of the confidence one has in oneself, of the quality and quantity of
previous experiences, etc., which makes us realize that the issue is not
as easy as it seems, and that there is a component (the psychological) that has
the wonderful and great power to influence to a lesser or greater extent over another (the
physical), even reaching a "blockage," in which the person is unable to
to react in no way to a given problem.

In Aquatic Rescue, we realize that the problems are still

greater, because the final goal is to achieve maximum performance
it is none other than saving the life of a person who is drowning. If we fail
In this, we are not going to lose a world title, nor a personal or local record: It will
endanger the life of a human being.

The Lifeguard cannot "afford" to let it slip away.

absolutely nothing from the hands. It must have everything perfectly analyzed and
structured, it must have solutions in place for possible accidents, etc.
Well, it gets even more complicated when it turns out that the human body 'suffers' a series
of sudden and abrupt changes in situations that deviate from normalcy,
from the everyday, often related to problems. In response, it rises
the heart and respiratory rate, the bodily actions that do not stop.
priority issues (digestion, etc.), muscle tremors occur, sweating,
dryness in the mouth, etc.
Ultimately, a state of anxiety occurs in the individual, caused by
a series of threatening stimuli. In response, one can react in a way
correct (a few cases), incorrect (the majority), or even unable to respond to
no way, when this state places the individual in a situation of
absolute loss of control.

If we think about the issue for a moment, we will come to the conclusion that the
Lifeguard will always act under this situation, with which
we deduce that the role of Psychology within Rescue is not
forwarded to the understanding of the behavior of the person we are going to
to rescue, but rather aims at analyzing the stimuli that provoke
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in the Lifeguard, a situation of anxiety, the understanding of that state and the
knowledge and practice of appropriate psychological techniques to cope
correctly that situation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RESCUE ACTION SEQUENCE

AQUATIC
If we want to know something in detail, we must understand
each and every step or phase that makes up that something: in Rescue
We call this 'Sequence of Action'. It encompasses from the perception of
a specific problem, up to its practical resolution:

Perception of the problem: Regarding this phase, it is important to highlight the ways or
means that the Lifeguard possesses, which are none other than the organs of the
senses. For this, it will mainly need to use sight and hearing, as they are
these are the ones that provide the most external information. Starting from this basis,
will be able and must use any auxiliary means at their disposal to
obtain as much information as possible (e.g.: binoculars).
Once said, the stimuli that can be perfectly known must be understood.
to indicate to us at a given moment that there is a specific problem. These are
generally
• Screams or cries (for help or rescue)
• Desperate movements of the arms and head, 'searching' for the surface
of the water (these movements are generally symmetrical, uncontrolled, and with
a level of strength above normal).

Once the Lifeguard perceives these stimuli, they must take action
the entire mechanism of action is put into motion to solve the problem, but it
poses a huge difficulty:
Normally, the environment being monitored presents a series of continuous
stimuli that largely coincide with the aforementioned.
in general, users who access a beach or any aquatic facility
they do it for a clear purpose, which is rest, leisure or recreation. For that
Thus, a high percentage of the "bathers" need to relieve themselves of the burden.
of stress accumulated throughout the week, the month, or the year, characterized
mostly due to a boring and mundane job, due to a heavy load of 'tasks'
ungrateful and never paid maids, or a school where you have to
remain in static positions for long hours and in which they eliminate more and more
more the playful element.

All this leads to a characteristic behavior that departs from the

normality, so that we can observe how people run on the sand,
plays, jumps, splashes the water, dives in irrational ways, screams, is
moves uncontrollably, etc., etc., etc.

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We then arrive at a clear conclusion: the stimuli that can indicate to a

Lifeguard that a person is in trouble are clear and
intense, but they become confusing due to the environment they are in,
in which other stimuli very similar in form and produce.
intensity, hence the phase we are analyzing is vital for the
achievement of the primary objective: The safety of the injured.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAINING OF THE AQUATIC RESCUER

Once we have described those stimuli that lead to the state of stress, the
which can negatively impact the shares, we must comment
something about this state and the ways to modify it, as well as its
real application.
In the introduction to this article, we briefly mentioned the changes.
physiological responses that the Lifeguard "suffered" in a situation that went beyond
normality. To begin with, it must be said that in the vast majority of cases
will have to act in situations that stand out well above that
normality, which means that there are no 'half measures' or 'patches' in the face of these
problems. It must be clear that the psychological work that needs to be done
It must be serious and carefully managed to the fullest, as we are dealing with people who...
saving lives
As a starting point, we think that they should be properly informed about
the reason for these variations, and it is none other than that of the simple and clear
survival.
Human beings, throughout time, have had to fight against the
natural phenomena, animals of different species and sizes, clans
enemies, males eager for the command position, etc. This means that has
had to face countless times problems of
considerable importance. In such a situation, the human being prepares for
a matter of tenths of a second, in front of anything that could put in
danger your life:
Pero como lo hace el organismo, pues eleva sus frecuencias cardíaca y
respiratory, so that your blood circulates more quickly and carries it
amount of oxygen necessary for the main muscle groups. The tasks do not
priority processes cease, such as digestion, which recruits a certain amount of
blood too valuable for other functions (hence the current
"decomposition" prior to a competition, exam, etc.), or a series of
very necessary liquids (saliva), with the consequent dryness in the mouth. It
They produce tremors because the 'muscle tone' increases, more are recruited.
motor units, and each of them in turn recruits all and each of its
connections with muscle fibers (motor plates), hence it is not possible
to control that 'muscle tone', well above the everyday, and that predisposes
to the body to perform a contraction much more intense than normal. There is
a considerable hormonal secretion, at the level of adrenaline, powerful
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vasoconstrictor (if bleeding occurs, it stops immediately),

endorphins (reduce the sensation of pain to a lesser or greater extent), etc.

Ultimately, the body 'triggers' all its alert systems, as if it were a

it will be a perfect machine, and in a matter of tenths of a second it is ready to
respond physically 100% to any situation that arises.
But if the body is fully prepared to perform at its best, how is it possible that
Will failures occur? The answer is simple: if we ride a horse daily
with specific characteristics, there will come a time when throughout
we control our life perfectly. But if at certain moments
this horse becomes a "thoroughbred," and is ready to react
almost anything we ask for, it may happen that we, as riders,
let's try to squeeze every bit out of it and push it to the limit, or on the contrary,
we opted to dismantle in the face of the imminent danger that a total would pose
loss of control.

We must therefore teach the rider to control his horse in all his
behaviors, whether they are everyday or not, and if it is too calm, it will be necessary to
accelerate it, and if it is too nervous we should slow it down, but for that we
needs a lot of work, since one will rarely be able to by instinct
do it correctly.
If comparison is allowed, the rider is the mind, and the horse is the body.
Once this is clarified, it is important to highlight something of great importance. This must be a
real work, something that truly serves to understand the stress situation of
a Lifeguard, and if possible, to modify it to be effective in
100%. Therefore, we must consider the correct and viable ways to do it.

DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES THAT MAY BE USEFUL

If we want to modify the activation state of an individual, we have a series

of techniques, which analyzed together or separately, will help us in the
achievement of our objectives:
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES: There are three major groups within this field:
A.- BIOFEEDBACK TECHNIQUES: This technique is based on the measurement of a
series of physiological processes of the individual, in order for them to be able to
voluntarily control them (heart rate and respiratory rate, temperature
skin, muscle tension, sweating of hands, etc.).
B.- RELAXATION TECHNIQUE FROM MIND TO MUSCLES: It focuses on control
from thoughts, in such a way that one comes to dominate the path that leads to
these to the muscles. They should be done in quiet environments, in a position
comfortable and with a passive attitude.
Among the most well-known and effective is Autogenic Training
Schultz, based on a series of exercises aimed at the production of two
sensaciones: Calor y pesadez.
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C.- MUSCLE TO MIND RELAXATION TECHNIQUE: It is based on the aspect

corporal, such as the level of muscle tension, dealing with the pathways that send
muscle stimuli to the brain, unlike the previous technique.
Among the most notable is Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation,
based on the following
• Physical well-being is incompatible with anxiety or psychological stress.
• The body's response to mental stress manifests in the form of
muscle tension.
• Deep muscle relaxation eliminates psychological stress.

This technique is based on the awareness of contraction and relaxation of

certain muscle groups, as a large number of people are not
capable of relaxing because they do not "feel" their body, neither when it is tense nor
relaxed, so they are completely out of control over it. What establishes
Jacobson as a starting point for learning to relax.

ENERGIZATION TECHNIQUES:
When we talk about activation, we refer to the level of 'tension' that a
an individual presents themselves in certain situations. This can be low or high.
depending on a large number of factors, which can make it
respond in a calm manner, or on the contrary with a level of excitement
high. It is worth highlighting that this activation exists permanently throughout
our life, and it ranges from very low states, in sleep, to very high states, in
a panic attack.
Depending on the type of person or the specific situation, one will behave.
in one way or another, and there will even be specific situations that require
a substantial level of activation or energization, which means the task of
The psychologist's role will not be to relax that individual, but to activate them, always within
of an order and a measure that allows for total control over their actions. In
this is based on energy techniques, among which are the
educational techniques, cognitive, psychophysiological, and self-hypnosis.

CONCENTRATION TECHNIQUES:
They are based on the specialization of attention, that is, on being able to focus
our perception systems in specific concrete stimuli, in a way
that we select some and discard others. This is basic at the level of
Salvation, because if the Lifeguard learns to select what indicates to him that
a person is in danger and sets aside everything that does not interest them,
it will significantly improve your perceptual quality.
Likewise, these stimuli can be internal or related to specific activities.
that the individual is carrying out, which will focus exclusively on the
task I was working on at that moment. In this way, all the potential of the
the person moves towards the maximum performance of that specific task, which means that

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the level of effectiveness will improve considerably, as it will not be distracted by

other secondary schools.

VISUALIZATION:
With these techniques, the subject mentally 'visualizes' one or more actions of
The way that they actually "execute" them. In terms of the representation of technical gestures.
it is a variant widely used in high-performance sports, specifically in
specialties like high jump and pole vault in athletics, or even
in other modalities such as skiing, skating, or rhythmic gymnastics.
Its effectiveness is truly high, due to the fact that a mental rehearsal is done.
prior to the physical, with which the governing body of the whole movement "reviews" everything
and each of the necessary movements before actually executing them.

APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES

Regarding the way in which the described techniques should be applied

previously, in order to modify the behavior of the Lifeguard,
we have tried to be as operational as possible, describing the way of
application that we consider most effective, and always taking into account
our knowledge, which means we cannot delve too deeply into each
one of them, if not to set the general guidelines or behaviors.
We consider that the starting point would be the analysis of each one of the
individuals that we must treat, so that we get to know them as much as possible.
personality, their everyday behavior, and in specific situations of
performance in Water Rescue and First Aid. It would be advisable
establish the level of theoretical and practical knowledge of each of the
subjects, as well as previous experience, number of cases with positive results
and negatives, etc.

Strengthening program for rescuers

Presented by GUSTAVO ADOLFO TABORDA OSORIO
Helicopter Rescuer / Phase III Instructor
Water Lifeguard Instructor
Armenia Quindío 2013

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