TRADERS

HOTEL POLICY MANUAL

TITLE: OPEN WATER RESCUE DIVISION: Recreation

No: 1. Principles of Open Water Rescue CROSS REF. (Policy #):
PREPARED BY: Alexander Ivanov-Health Club & No. of Pages: 1
Recreation Assistant Manager
APPROVED BY: Adrian Rudin General Manager
DISTRIBUTED TO: General Manager, Resident Manager, and all Health Club Staff

If a person in difficulty submerges in open water, rescue attempts may become complex
due to water conditions making submerged objects very hard to spot. In addition,
undertows, currents and rips quickly transport the casualty from the point of entry that is
most appropriate for the lifeguard in terms of speed of rescue:
• Distance to casualty
• Access from shore
• Safety
• Water/current flow

Approach
Because running is faster than swimming in water that is shallower than waist depth,
make a running entry into the water. Steps to consider in a running entry include the
following:
• Take progressively higher strides as the water deepens
• Jump or dive over waves
• Use hands as paddles to help forward movement
• Use “dolphin dives” from waist-deep water until beginning to swim
• Keep eyes on casualty as much as possible (most often at the crest of waves)
• When ducking waves, submerge deep enough to avoid being pushed backward but
shallow enough to maintain forward movement
• Use fins wherever possible to assist with approach speed and return tow

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