Casualty Recognition

Before you start any rescue you want to know the status of any casualties you come across. Discuss with your team the four most likely casualties. Work out the priorities in a rescue incident.

Think of a variety of situations and what casualties would look like there. Dress up your class in different outfits to represent these situations, like boating gear, sportswear, or just casual clothes. Then have them jump into the pool and let your class guess what happened. Finally get someone to rescue them accordingly.

Recognise the Type of Casualty

Use a sequence of priorities to rescue multiple casualties. Get those at the top of the list first, because they require less of your time.

1. Conscious non swimmers
2. Conscious weak swimmers
3. Conscious injured swimmers
4. Unconscious swimmers

The reason for this is that an unconscious swimmer may have been in the water for some time already, and you may not be able to help them. For water rescues the rule of thumb is to treat those making the least noise first, and the unconscious last. Once you handle the unconscious casualty you won't have a chance to help the others.

Mobilise the Mobile

The main priority of a rescue is to mobilise the mobile. Ask everyone who can move to get out of the water.

Conscious Non Swimmers

They are simply unable to swim and often positioned vertically in the water. Some can be in a panic and thrash around. They can be quite dangerous to the rescuer as they may grab hold of anyone who comes too close.

Conscious Weak Swimmers

They are either exhausted, unskilled, or unable to swim in clothes after falling in. They are usually in a forward pointing position, like breast stroke, but at a steeper 45° angle. Often they are cooperative in a rescue.

Conscious Injured Swimmers

They usually hold on to the injured body part. Be careful when you pick them up so you don't injure them even further.

Unconscious Casualties

They are floating motionless and face down in the water. They need more care than others. Hence you should get any other casualty out of the water first.