Every lifesaving service follows four important principles.
- Prevention—you will reduce risk and prevent injury in many ways, including the identification and control of hazards, effective surveillance and using appropriate signage to establish swimming and surfing areas.
- Recognition—be alert for the signs of people at risk of aquatic injury or drowning; if in doubt, check it out!
- Rescue—learn and practise the skills required to perform a rescue.
- Recovery—the provision of further support and care to the victim and the return to ‘rescue ready’ status
Performing a rescue when you are on duty involves:
- recognising the victim
- communication
- deciding on a course of action
- carrying out the rescue
- managing the victim once returned to shore
- post-rescue documentation and debriefing.
At all times you should ensure that any rescue is carried out as safely as possible, with maximum effectiveness and a minimum of delay.