Basic Water RescueThe target audience for the 4-hour Basic Water Rescue course includes public safety
personnel (police, fire, EMTs), parents, aquatic fitness instructors, aquatic therapists, child care providers, physical therapy assistants, personal fitness trainers, coaches, athletic trainers and others who work around water.
This course provides individuals with information and skills necessary
to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. It will also
prepare individuals for aquatic emergencies by teaching them how to
protect themselves while assisting others.
The Basic Water Rescue course does not provide participants with all
the information and skills needed to be certified as a lifeguard.
Prerequisites None, but because there is an in-water skills session, it is
recommended that participants be comfortable in chest
deep water.
Learning Objectives:
.. Learn to recognize, respond and prevent aquatic
emergencies
.. Recognize the common hazards
associated with swimming pools and explain how to
eliminate or minimize such hazards;
.. Recognize the characteristics of someone who needs
help in the water;
.. Understand and perform self-rescue skills for aquatic
emergencies;
.. Provide assistance to others using non-swimming
rescues;
.. Perform proper techniques for possible head, neck or
back injuries;
Certification Requirements
.. Attend and participate in all course sessions;
.. Successfully perform all required skills; and
.. Pass the final written exam with a score of 80 percent or
better (20 correct answers out of 25 questions).
The Basic Water Rescue certificate is valid for 3 years.
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Examples of self-rescue skills taught in the class:
To conserve body heat while awaiting rescue in cold water, use the HELP
position —the heat escape lessening posture.
When two or more people wearing life jackets find themselves in cold
water, the huddle position will help them conserve body heat while
awaiting rescue.
(Fremont Union High School District coaches Kiernan Raffo, J C Hovland, Jill Borges and Jeremy Kitchen posed for these photos.)
 HELP Position
1.Draw your knees up to your chest.
2.Keep your face forward and out of the water.
3.Hold your upper arms at your sides, and hold your lower arms against or across your chest.
 Huddle Position
1. With two people, put your arms around each other so that your
chests are together.
2. With three or more people, put your arms over each other ’s
shoulders so that the sides of your chests are together.
Children or elderly persons should
be placed in the middle of the huddle.
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Examples of removals from the water taught in the class:
 A beach drag is used in shallow water on a sloping shore or beach, or a zero depth exit at a pool. It works well with a heavy or unconscious victim. Do not use a beach drag if you suspect the victim has a head, neck or back injury.
One or two rescuers can stand behind the victim and grasp him or her under the armpits. Support the head with your forearms. Walk back slowly and drag the victim onto the shore. Use your legs and not your back. Pull the victim completely out of the water if you can, but at least get the victim’s head and shoulders out of the water.
On a sloping beach, with an unconscious victim or a victim in shock, turn them as you reach shore so that they are parallel to the shore. If you drag them up without turning them their head will be higher than their feet, the opposite of treating for shock and if you need to give CPR the blood will not flow where you want it to.
 A walking assist is used for a victim who is in shallow water at a pool or waterfront, who can stand and may be able to walk with your help.
Place one of the victim’s arms around your neck and over your shoulder. Hold the wrist of the arm that is over the shoulder, and wrap your free arm around the victim’s back or waist. Hold the victim firmly and help him/her walk out of the water.
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See also:
 How to rescue a drowning victim using a reaching assist or a shepherd's crook
 How to remove a victim from the pool
How to pass a Red Cross written test
Again, the Basic Water Rescue course does not provide participants with all
the information and skills needed to be certified as a lifeguard. If you have swimming skill and the time you should consider Lifeguard Training instead.
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