Mass rescues occur when multiple people require help at the same time and at the same location. Examples of mass rescues include:
- a boat overturning
- a large surging wave washing up the face of a sloping beach or over a rock platform and dragging people out to sea
- a rip current dragging a group of swimmers into deeper water
- swimmers suddenly washed off a sandbank and into deep water
- two jet skis colliding.
For mass rescues, always assess:
- how close the victims are to each other
- the priority of the victims—assist an unconscious victim first
- what and how much rescue equipment and flotation devices are available.
Mass rescue situations may occur quickly and without warning.
If a mass rescue is beyond the capacity of the lifesaving service, follow the steps below.
- Use the radio to call ‘Rescue Rescue Rescue’. Provide information using the ‘4 Ps’.
- Sound the mass rescue alarm—three blasts of the alarm or siren.
- Your SLS communication centre should be notified immediately with a request for assistance.
- All available lifesavers and support personnel with spare rescue equipment should report to the patrol team leader and follow instructions.
- Fast-moving and manually operated equipment, such as boards, tubes with fins and powercraft resources should be sent to help victims in difficulty.
- Other team members should control crowds on the beach and prepare an area where first aid or resuscitation can be performed.
- Competent members of the public may help. For example, boardriders may paddle out to support victims awaiting rescue.
Multiple victims with a rescue tube
- Quickly assess the victims as you approach them.
- Adopt a defensive position.
- Reassure the victims and explain how you will proceed.
- Secure the most vulnerable victim with a rescue tube.
- Assist other victims to lock their arms inside the tube.
- Signal ‘assistance required’.
- Monitor and reassure the victims.
Multiple victims with a rescue board
Rescue boards have a large buoyancy factor and are very good for supporting victims in a mass rescue incident. You should:
- quickly assess the victims
- manoeuvre the rescue board to the most vulnerable victim
- roll them onto the board if they are or become unconscious and encourage all other conscious victims to swim to the board
- instruct the victims to remain in the water and grasp the board straps
- encourage victims to adopt the buddy procedure and alert you to any issue
- signal ‘assistance required’
- monitor and reassure the victims.
Note: If you are in the break zone with multiple victims, encourage all victims to hold on to the seaward side of the board as tightly as possible and allow the waves to wash you back to shore. You may have to secure the most vulnerable victim.