Deciding on a course of action
All rescues involve some risk to the rescuer’s safety. Unfortunately, every year in Australia some people drown trying to save others, though this is rare with trained lifesavers.
SLSA does not recommend performing rescues without equipment as they pose a significant risk to both yourself and the victim. The benefits of rescue equipment include:
- faster access to your victim
- protection from a distressed victim
- support for you and/or your victim(s)
- a faster return to shore.
However, a lifesaver may find themselves in a situation that calls for a rescue without a flotation device, such as when off-duty or at an unpatrolled beach. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages associated with each rescue method, and the available equipment, helps you to reduce the level of risk associated with rescues and select the most effective rescue method.
Advantages and disadvantages of different rescue methods
