International Beach Lifeguard
Instructor Manual
VERSION 1
|
Instructors Manual
For new and developing Lifeguard
Services
1
Rescue
2
2
Version 1:
September 2012
Published: May 2012
Published: May 2012
ISBN:
The
RNLI is a registered charity in England and Wales (209603)
Authors:
ISBN:
and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic
Tom Mecrow (IDRC-B), Dr. Aminur Rahman (IDRC-B), Dr. Fazlur Rahman (IDRC-B), Steve Wills
Authors:
Authors:
of
Ireland.
(RNLI),
Darren
Williams
Davidson
Tom Mecrow (IDRC-B), Dr. Aminur
Rahman
(IDRC-B),
Dr. Fazlur(RNLI),
RahmanScott
(IDRC-B),
Steve Wills(RNLI), Peter Dawes (RNLI), Barry Heathfield
IDRC-B: Tom Mecrow, Dr Aminur Rahman, Dr Fazlur Rahman
(RNLI),
Brett(RNLI),
Shepherd
(RNLI)(RNLI), Barry Heathfield
(RNLI), Darren Williams (RNLI), Scott
Davidson
Peter Dawes
(RNLI), Brett Shepherd (RNLI)
RNLI: Steve Wills, Darren Williams, Scott Davidson,
The has
First
Aid sectionmay
ofthe
this
manual
has
been adapted from the International Drowning
This
document
be
reproduced
The First Aid section of this manual
been adapted from
International
Drowningwithout the prior consent of the
Research
Centre Bangladesh
(IDRC-B) First Responder manual.
ResearchLavis
Centre Bangladesh (IDRC-B)
First Responder
manual.
Peter Dawes, Barry Heathfield, Brett Shepherd, Mike
IDRC-B or RNLI.
© Copyright
© Copyright
The
IDRC-B
and
RNLI take no responsibility for any outcomes as
International Drowning Research
Centre
Bangladesh
(IDRC-B)
International
Drowning Research
Centre Bangladesh (IDRC-B)
The First Aid section of this manual has been adapted from
Part the
of the Centre for Injury Prevention
andof
Research
a result
thisBangladesh
manual.(CIPRB)
International Drowning Research Centre Bangladesh (IDRC-B)
PartMohakhali,
of the Centre
for Injury
Prevention and Research Bangladesh (CIPRB)
House -B162, Lane 23, New DOHS,
Dhaka, 1206,
Bangladesh
First Responder Manual and part of the RNLI Casualty Care Manual.
House -B162,with
Lane 23,
New DOHS,
Mohakhali,
Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Produced
generous
support
from
the1206,
following
This document may be reproduced without the prior consent of the IDRC-B or RNLI.
organisations:
for any outcomes as a result of this manual.
The IDRC-B and RNLI take no responsibility
This document may be reproduced without the prior consent of the IDRC-B or RNLI.
Made with generous support from
following
organisations:
Thethe
IDRC-B
and
RNLI take no responsibility for any outcomes as a result of this manual.
Cox’s
Bazar
Cox’s
Bazar
IDRC-BInternational Drowning Research Centre Bangladesh
Made with generous support
from the following organisations:
Lifesaving
Lifesaving
and
Surfing
ClubClub
and
Surfing
Part of:
Additional photographs kindly donated by:
CIPRBCentre for Injury Prevention and Research – Bangladesh
House-B162
Additional photographs kindly donated by:
Lane 23
Additional photographs kindly donated by:
New DOHS
Mohakhali
Dhaka-1206
Bangladesh
Tel: +88 (2) 881 4988
Supported by:
Web: ciprb.org
Cox’s Bazar
Lifesaving
3
and Surfing Club
Supported by:
RNLIRoyal National Lifeboat Institution
West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
England
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 663000
Web: rnli.org
Email: international@rnli.org.uk
For technical questions or further information please contact the
RNLI at international@rnli.org.uk.
| International Beach Lifeguard
Disclaimer
The content of this manual is for general guidance only. It represents best practice as at
the date of publication and should not be considered as legal advice. Those using this
manual should seek professional advice as and when necessary. The RNLI and IDRC-B do
not accept responsibility for any errors in this document.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
LIFEGUARD
RescueContents
LIFEGUARD
LIFEGUARD
Introduction
7
1. Lifeguard Knowledge
8
1.1 What is drowning
8
Why do people drown?
9
1.2 What is the role of a lifeguard?
10
What is the duty of a lifeguard?
10
Personal skills of a lifeguard
10
Prevention
11
Community education
11
Teaching people how to swim
12
1.3 Lifeguard uniform and personal equipment
13
1.4 Sun safety
14
1.5 Lifeguard fitness
15
2. Beach Environment
16
2.1 The Beach
16
2.2 Water depth
18
2.3 Wind, waves, rip currents and tides
19
Wind
19
Waves
20
Rip currents
21
What is a rip current? 21
What does a rip current look like?
21
Escaping from a rip current
22
Tides
23
FEGUARD
FEGUARD
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Instructor Manual |
1
Contents
3.Lifeguard Operations24
3.1 Setting up a patrol zone24
Setting up flags24
Red and yellow flags25
Black and white flags25
Red flag26
3.2 When should you patrol?27
3.3 What makes up a patrol? 27
3.4 How to scan the water28
3.5 How to identify a casualty29
Weak swimmer29
Distressed casualty29
Injured casualty30
Unconscious casualty30
3.6 Lifeguard communication31
Whistle31
Hand signals32
4.Rescue33
4.1 Stop, Think, Act, Review33
Stop34
Think34
Act34
Review34
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Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Contents
4.2 Rescue equipment35
Rescue tube35
Rescue board35
Water container36
Surfboard36
4.3 Conducting a rescue37
Land-based rescue38
Reach rescue38
Throw rescue39
Wade rescue40
Swimming rescue41
Entering the water41
Swimming to a casualty42
Approaching a conscious casualty42
Approaching an unconscious casualty44
Towing a casualty back to shore44
Towing using a floating object45
Towing with no floating object45
Cross-chest tow45
Extended chin tow46
Close chin tow46
Returning a casualty through waves47
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Instructor Manual |
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Contents
Swim rescue with floating object – conscious casualty48
Swim rescue with no floating object – conscious casualty49
Swim rescue with floating object – unconscious casualty50
Swim rescue with no floating object – unconscious casualty 51
Board rescue – conscious casualty52
Board rescue – unconscious casualty53
4.4 Removing a casualty from the water55
Moving a walking casualty56
Moving a casualty who is unable to walk57
Single-person carry57
Two-person carry58
Identifying a point of safety58
5.First Aid59
5.1 The principles of first aid59
5.2 Casualty assessment60
Check for Danger60
Check airway, breathing and signs of life (circulation)60
Check Airway60
Check Breathing60
Action for vomiting60
If the casualty is breathing normally61
Recovery position61
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Contents
If the casualty is not breathing normally62
Open airway and initial breaths 62
Check for signs of life (Circulation)62
If there are no signs of life63
Chest compressions 63
Summary – casualty assessment64
5.3 Treatment for medical emergencies65
Shock65
Wounds66
Broken bones67
Excessive exposure to sunlight – heat exhaustion and heat stroke68
Loss of fluid68
Burns69
Nosebleed69
Animal bite70
Snake bite70
Dog bite70
Poison71
Electrocution71
6. Record Keeping72
6.1 Why keep records? 72
6.2 What to document73
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Instructor Manual |
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Contents
7. Appendices74
7.1 Lifeguard Service74
What is a lifeguard service?74
Why start a lifeguard service?75
What do you need to get started?75
Who should you work with?76
Local government/beach owner76
Police/law enforcement76
Medical professionals77
Search and rescue coordination78
Media78
User groups78
How could the lifeguard service be funded?79
Voluntary 79
Employed79
Possible sources of funding79
7.2 Report forms80
Lifeguard daily log80
Lifeguard incident report form81
7.3 Lesson plans82
Notes90
6
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Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Introduction
Introduction
Drowning is a major but under-recognised public health problem in the developing world,
and a leading cause of death in many countries.
New and developing lifesaving organisations can struggle
to implement effective coastal drowning prevention
strategies due to limited training and resources.
Together, the International Drowning Research Centre –
Bangladesh (IDRC-B) and the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution (RNLI) have developed a beach lifeguard course,
specifically designed for use in areas where specialist
equipment and facilities are unavailable. This International
Beach Lifeguard Instructor Manual is a simple toolkit for
lifeguard trainers to refer to, and accompanies a basic
International Beach Lifeguard Student Manual and
optional teaching aids.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Organisations and individuals are free to copy parts of
the manual for teaching and learning purposes. We hope
that by sharing knowledge and understanding of the beach
environment and lifesaving skills we can help save more
lives from drowning worldwide.
The IDRC-B is a leading research organisation focused
on reducing drowning by developing appropriate and
fit-for-purpose solutions.
The RNLI is a charity that saves lives at sea by operating
a lifeboat and lifeguard service around the UK and RoI.
It trains more than 1,000 lifeguards each year, who patrol
more than 180 beaches.
Instructor Manual |
7
LIFEGUARD
Lifeguard Knowledge
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the drowning process.
2. Understand the role and duty of the lifeguard.
3. Understand the role of the lifeguard uniform.
4. Understand the importance of sun protection.
5. Understand the role of lifeguard fitness.
1. Lifeguard Knowledge
1.1 What is drowning?
Drowning occurs when a person is unable to breathe
because their head is submerged in water.
The brain cannot survive for long without oxygen and,
after a short time, a person will become unconscious.
If the brain continues to lack oxygen then it will die in
just minutes.
A lack of oxygen in the lungs may also stop the heart
from working.
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Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Lifeguard Knowledge
LIFEGUARD
Why do people drown?
The conditions that allow a drowning to occur can be summarised by the Drowning Chain. Each link in the chain can
result in a drowning incident, or can lead to the next link.
ROLE OF THE LIFEGUARD
CAUSE
Ignorance
of the dangers
Unrestricted
access to hazards
Absence of
adequate
supervision
Inability to
save yourself,
or be rescued
Ignorance of
the dangers
Unrestricted access
to hazards
Absence
of adequate
supervision
Inability to
save yourself,
or be rescued
Lack of education in
water safety or the
dangers of the local
environment.
Allowing access
for people to use
dangerous areas of
water, such as areas
with strong currents.
Swimming in areas
where there is no one
to provide rescue.
Being unable to swim
to safety.
To provide beach
safety education
to beach users.
To provide a safe area
of water for people
to use and advise
against swimming
in dangerous areas.
To provide safety
supervision.
To provide
community swimming
programmes.
Through education
comes recognition
and therefore
avoidance of danger.
To work with
local authorities
to restrict access
to dangerous areas.
To provide a rescue
service for people who
get into difficulty.
To prevent a person from drowning, all links in the drowning chain must be considered.
It is important to break the chain as soon as possible before a rescue is needed.
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Instructor Manual |
9
LIFEGUARD
Lifeguard Knowledge
1.2 What is the role of a lifeguard?
The role of a lifeguard is to maintain the safety of people
using the beach and the water.
Lifeguards take responsibility for a defined area or activity
to ensure that it is safe to use.
What is the duty of a lifeguard?
It is the duty of the lifeguard to:
• prevent incidents from occurring
• respond to developing incidents
•respond to emergency incidents by providing rescue
and emergency care skills.
Personal skills of a lifeguard
A good lifeguard must be able to interact well with
members of the public and other services. To do this
a lifeguard must be:
•a good communicator – able to communicate well
with members of the public and other lifeguards
•reliable and trustworthy – regularly attend training
and always be on time for lifeguard duty.
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Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Lifeguard Knowledge
LIFEGUARD
Prevention
Conducting a rescue is dangerous for both the casualty and the lifeguard. The drowning chain (see page 9) highlights
the necessary steps required to reduce the chance of a person getting into difficulty in the water.
In addition to providing supervision and rescue, a good lifeguard will also be involved in wider drowning prevention
programmes. Such programmes may include community education and teaching people to swim.
Community education
It is important that beach users are aware of:
• the dangers on the beach
• the role of a lifeguard
• where it is safe to swim or surf.
Community education begins by targeting those most at risk of drowning.
In some areas this might be tourists coming from a different part of the
country; in other areas it might be local fishermen.
There are many different ways to communicate with beach users:
•Talking
Why not organise a free beach safety lesson for those most at risk? This
could be done in a local school or community centre.
•Posters
Posters are an easy way to communicate to a large number of people
and they do not require many resources. Posters with pictures are also a
good way of communicating with people who are unable to read.
Why not run a poster competition in your local school?
•Signs
Signs are an important way of telling people about the dangers on
the beach when they arrive.
arning signs direct people away from dangerous areas and
W
information signs tell people about local weather and surf conditions.
•The media
Getting the local newspaper, radio and television stations to broadcast
your beach safety message to the public is a great way to reach a
large audience.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Instructor Manual |
11
LIFEGUARD
Lifeguard Knowledge
Teaching people how to swim
The ocean can be very powerful, and even very strong
swimmers can drown. However, having the ability to
swim is a great benefit if a person gets out of their
depth or is caught in a current.
Lifeguards should be strong swimmers. If possible, they
should pass on their swimming skills to others. Teaching
swimming can be a fun and enjoyable way of engaging
local communities in the work of the lifeguard service,
and also provide a skill that could save a life.
Teaching swimming should be done in a controlled
environment, such as a swimming pool or pond. It is
important to tell students how to be safe in the water
so that they do not swim into difficulty or become
over-confident.
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Lifeguard Knowledge
LIFEGUARD
1.3 Lifeguard uniform and personal equipment
A uniform allows a lifeguard to be visible and easily identified
by beach users and other lifeguards. It also makes the lifeguard
service look professional.
The colours red and yellow are internationally accepted lifeguard
colours. They are bright and can be seen over long distances.
It is recommended that T-shirts are yellow and shorts are red.
‘LIFEGUARD’ should be written on clothing and equipment for
people who are unfamiliar with lifeguard colours, and for people
who are colour-blind.
A good lifeguard uniform will protect the lifeguard from the sun
and be comfortable to work in. It must also allow the lifeguard to
perform all necessary duties, including water rescue.
Having a clean and professional-looking uniform increases the
perceived authority of the lifeguard and will make it easier for the
lifeguard to interact with beach users and other services.
In addition to the lifeguard uniform a lifeguard may need extra
items of equipment in order to carry out their duties. Some items
may be shared between lifeguards – such as rescue equipment
– and other items may be needed for personal use to assist with
performing duties or for personal protection.
Examples of personal equipment:
Whistle
A whistle is used to attract the attention of bathers
and other lifeguards. There are a number of different
types of whistle available. Try to ensure that a whistle
used for lifeguard duty works well even when wet.
Footwear
Lifeguards may need suitable footwear that can protect
their feet from dangerous items on the beach, such as
glass or sharp shells.
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Instructor Manual |
13
LIFEGUARD
Lifeguard Knowledge
1.4 Sun safety
The sun radiates light to the earth and part of that light consists of invisible
ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning,
and other skin damage.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can result in the development of skin cancer and eye
diseases. Without adequate protection, lifeguards are at risk of exposing themselves
to too much sun.
Sensitivity to the sun will depend on skin type but lifeguards should be aware
of the precautions to reduce the risks:
Shade
Whenever possible try to seek shade. A large umbrella could be used to provide
shade to a lifeguard chair.
Sunscreen
In some countries sunscreen is available to reduce exposure to UV rays.
Cover up
When patrolling always wear your lifeguard T-shirt,
a hat with a peak and sunglasses with UV protection.
Water
Drink water often to avoid dehydration.
Always look out for other beach users who may be at risk.
Give advice on sun safety.
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Lifeguard Knowledge
LIFEGUARD
1.5 Lifeguard fitness
Maintaining a high level of fitness is essential to providing an effective lifeguard service.
Lifeguards must be able to respond quickly to an emergency and be capable of travelling great distances to get further
medical assistance.
A good lifeguard must be able to:
1. Run – to an incident, and for further assistance.
2. Swim – to a casualty in difficulty in the water.
3. Tread in water – stay stationary with a casualty in the water to give them appropriate medical assistance
(such as rescue breaths).
4. Tow – to bring the casualty back to shore.
Fitness should be tested on a regular basis and tests should be appropriate to the local environment.
When designing a fitness test you should consider:
• the maximum distance between low tide and high tide
• the distance that a lifeguard would have to run for assistance
• the distance required to swim/retrieve the casualty.
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Instructor Manual |
15
Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the types of beach.
2. Understand how the beach influences
water depth.
3. Understand the effects of wind, waves,
rip currents and tides.
2. Beach Environment
2.1 The Beach
There are many different types of beach, each with their
own unique hazards. Lifeguard services should:
• identify all hazards on the beach
•understand how they could be dangerous to
beach users
• develop plans to limit the danger
• ensure lifeguards have local knowledge.
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Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Sand
Sandy beaches are the least dangerous but quicksand
may be found if the sand is very fine.
It is easy for beach users to get stuck in quicksand
and this can be particularly dangerous during an
incoming tide.
Rocks
Rocks can be dangerous because beach users can easily slip
off them, either falling into the water or onto another rock.
Rocks also create dangerous entry and exit points
to the water, and underwater rocks can be dangerous
for swimmers.
If the lifeguard service covers a rocky area of coastline
it is important to identify the safest area to remove
a casualty from the water.
Stones
The geography of stony beaches can change very quickly
because waves can easily move small stones. This can
be dangerous for people walking near the waterline, who
risk falling in the water if a large wave moves the stones
underneath them.
Stony beaches often have a steep slope, which can be
dangerous for swimmers and paddlers who are unaware
of the water depth.
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Instructor Manual |
17
Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
2.2 Water depth
For weak and non-swimmers, a change in water depth is the most dangerous feature of a beach.
Waves can cause the slope of a beach to change very quickly.
Shallow sloping
A shallow sloping beach is best for weak swimmers.
Steep sloping
A beach with a steep slope can be dangerous for weak
and non-swimmers as they can easily slip into the water
out of their depth.
Holes
Wave pressure may also create ‘holes’ in the sand close
to shore, which is particularly dangerous for small
children playing or bathing in shallow water.
A lifeguard should be aware of the changing depth of water on the beach that they are
working on. They should try to ensure that areas for swimming do not contain depth
changes that could be a danger to weak and non-swimmers.
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Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
2.3 Wind, waves, rip currents and tides
Wind
The strength and direction of the wind are important
considerations when assessing the safety of beach users.
Wind strongly influences the size and formation of waves.
You can tell the direction of the wind by looking at the
direction your flags are blowing.
Wind that is blowing from the shore to the sea is known
as an offshore wind. Offshore winds are particularly
dangerous for people using inflatable equipment –
such as rubber tyres – as they can be blown away from the
shore easily.
Inflatables should not be used during a strong offshore wind.
Offshore wind
Wind that is blowing from the sea to the shore is known as
an onshore wind. Onshore winds break up the surface of
the wave and create choppy surf conditions, often creating
rip currents.
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Instructor Manual |
19
Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Waves
Waves are formed by the wind. They can cause visible
changes to a beach and their force and impact can cause
injury to bathers.
There are three main types of wave:
Spilling
Spilling waves occur when the top of the wave tumbles
down the front of the wave. They usually form on a
shallow sloping beach.
Spilling waves are the safest to swim in.
Plunging
Plunging waves occur when the top of the wave curls
forward and collapses with great force. They usually form
on a steeply sloping beach.
A person can be knocked over or injured by a plunging
wave easily.
Surging
Surging waves never break as they approach the beach.
They usually occur in deep water.
Surging waves can knock people off their feet and carry
them back into deep water. For this reason they can be
very dangerous, especially around rocks.
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Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Rip currents
What is a rip current?
Rip currents can be found on any beach with breaking
waves and are the main reason for lifeguard rescues.
Some rip currents stay in fixed positions for a long
period of time; these are known as fixed rips.
Waves break powerfully in some locations and weakly
in others. When waves break on a shore the water must
return to the sea, and it does this where the waves are
weakest and the shore is deepest.
Rip currents can also occur without warning due to a
change in the beach profile (usually caused by strong
waves). These fast-forming rips are known as flash rips
and can result in many casualties at the same time.
The returning water can create a strong current that may
extend for 100 metres past the surf zone, but the strong
current is typically less than 10 metres wide. This flow of
water is known as a rip current.
What does a rip current look like?
The water can flow very fast and can be too strong,
even for good swimmers to swim against.
Drowning occurs when people get pulled out of depth,
when they are unable to swim against the current and
are unable to keep themselves afloat. This may be due to
a combination of exhaustion, panic or a lack of swimming
skills or knowledge.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Rip currents can be very difficult for a lifeguard to
identify. However, there are a number of features that
could be used as clues:
• a channel of churning, darker, choppy water
• an area having a difference in water colour
•a line of foam, seaweed or rubbish moving
steadily seaward
• a break in the incoming wave pattern.
Instructor Manual |
21
Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Rip head
Incoming
waves
Incoming
waves
Æ
Swim parallel
to shore
Direction of
current
Rip channel
Rip channel
Beach
Escaping from a rip current
Rip currents do not pull people under the water; they
simply pull people away from the shoreline.
People will instinctively try to swim back to the shore
when they are caught in a rip current. However, in many
cases, swimming against the flow of water is impossible
and can very quickly result in exhaustion and drowning.
The easiest way to escape a rip current is to stay calm and
float or swim parallel to the beach, often into breaking
waves that can help with the return to shore.
Experienced lifeguards can use the flow of rip currents to
reach a casualty quickly, avoiding large breaking waves.
Always inform the public about the location of rip currents and adjust your swimming
areas to keep swimmers away from rip currents.
Sometimes the only sign of a rip current may be the casualty moving out to sea.
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Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Tides
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels mostly due to the
effect of the moon.
Lifeguards must know the times of high and low tide, and
the height of the water. They must also be aware of any
unusually high and low tides.
As the tides rise and fall, as the water moves, currents
may be created around the rocks and structures, such
as jetties and piers, and through channels in the sand.
Dangerous objects previously visible may also be covered
by the water.
Many beach users will be unaware of when high and low
tide will occur. Rising sea levels can quickly surround
a previously safe area of the beach, cutting it off from
the land completely or cutting off the safe entry and
exit points.
High tide – may conceal
hidden dangers
Low tide
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Instructor Manual |
23
Lifeguard Operations
Learning outcomes
1. Understand how and when to use flags.
2. Understand when a patrol should be
conducted.
3. Understand what makes up a patrol.
4. Understand how to scan the water.
5. Understand how to identify a casualty.
6. Understand how lifeguards communicate
using whistles and signals.
3. Lifeguard Operations
3.1 Setting up a patrol zone
A patrol zone is the area of the beach where the lifeguard
is an important person for keeping beach users safe.
The lifeguard should make the patrol zone visible
so that beach users know the safest place to swim.
However, lifeguards must also talk to beach users
and give advice on why the area has been selected.
Setting up flags
A patrol zone should be set up using flags to mark the
safest place to swim or surf.
An international flag system has been developed that is
used around the world.
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| International Beach Lifeguard
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Lifeguard Operations
LIFEGUARD
Red and yellow flags
Black and white flags
An area between two red and yellow flags indicates
the safest place on the beach for people to swim,
bodyboard or use inflatable objects such as
rubber tyres.
Black and white flags can be used to create a:
A lifeguard should ensure that the red and yellow flagged
swimming area:
•‘does not contain any strong rip currents or
hidden holes
•does not contain any dangerous objects, such as large
underwater rocks or sewage pipes
•is not positioned close to a boat launching area, for
example, speedboat or jetski launch.
When the red and yellow flags are up, the lifeguard must
be confident that they can conduct a rescue successfully
in the patrol zone.
•buffer zone to protect swimmers from colliding
with hard craft such as surfboards or boats
•designated (selected) area for surfboards and
other craft.
Buffer zone
A black and white flag should be placed either side of
the red and yellow flagged area a safe distance apart.
The area between the red and yellow and black and
white flag should be kept clear.
Designated area
A pair of black and white flags can also be used on their
own to designate an area for surfboards and other craft.
Weather and wave conditions may influence the ability
of a lifeguard to conduct a rescue. If the lifeguard is not
confident that they can conduct a rescue then a red flag
should be used (see page 26).
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Lifeguard Operations
Red flag
A red flag indicates danger.
A lifeguard should put up a red flag on the beach if
they feel the condition of the water is too dangerous
for people to swim, or if the lifeguard does not feel
confident they can perform an effective rescue.
A red flag may be used:
• during periods of stormy weather
• when persistent strong currents occur
• when there are large waves
• due to pollution
• if a dangerous animal has been seen in the water.
By putting the appropriate flags in place, the lifeguard
service takes responsibility for beach users in the
patrol areas.
The flags should only be used if a
lifeguard is on duty.
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LIFEGUARD
3.2 When should you patrol?
When considering patrol times the lifeguard service
should identify the busy times of day and consider the
dangers on the beach.
In some countries, the busiest time of day is during
the middle of the day when the water is likely to
be warmest.
In many hot countries, people use the beach early in
the morning and late in the evening when the warmth
of the sun is at its weakest.
A lifeguard service should decide the best time to
lifeguard in their area, ensuring that the maximum
number of beach users is under lifeguard supervision.
Lifeguard patrols should be at regular times so that
beach users know when a lifeguard is on duty and it is
safe to use the water.
Lifeguards should rotate on a regular basis to stay alert.
3.3 What makes up a patrol?
The structure of the patrol will depend on the:
• number of lifeguards available
• skill and experience of the lifeguards
• equipment that is available
• dangers
• size and type of beach.
There should always be at least one lifeguard observing
each flagged area, and another lifeguard to provide
assistance in the event of an emergency.
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Lifeguard Operations
3.4 How to scan the water
Being a lifeguard is a job that requires great
concentration, often supervising hundreds or thousands
of people on the beach or in the water.
It is not possible to watch everyone at the same time.
Instead, lifeguards must scan the water and beach
regularly to look for incidents occurring or incidents that
are developing with people more at risk.
Scanning an area should be done quickly and regularly
so that an incident is not missed. All areas of the patrol
zone should be visible to the lifeguard. If an area cannot
be seen then it should not be in the patrol zone.
Binoculars can also be used to assist with observing
people far from the shore or a long way down the beach.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of scanning
a beach is to observe changing weather and sea
conditions, which often indicate that new dangers may
form on the beach, such as rip currents.
It is important that lifeguards are able to supervise
the beach without suffering from tiredness or lack of
concentration.
Regular rotation of lifeguards into different positions on
the beach will help to reduce the feeling of tiredness.
To ensure that all beach users have been observed during
a scan, a common method of lifeguard scanning is to
repeatedly count the number of people in the water,
observing each person as they are counted.
Waves often hide swimmers and surfers from view. Extra
visibility may be gained by viewing the water from an
elevated position. This could be from a high chair or
lifeguard tower.
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LIFEGUARD
3.5 How to identify a casualty
It is important that a lifeguard can recognise a person who needs assistance in the water. Although people react
differently when they are in distress, there are a number of signs that a lifeguard should watch out for:
Weak swimmer
The weak swimmer is a person who struggles to keep their head above the water using only basic swimming strokes.
This may be because they:
• have limited swimming skills
• are tired
• have a minor injury.
Signs of a weak swimmer include:
• shouting for help
• weak swimming stroke
• look of panic.
Distressed casualty
A distressed casualty is a person who is unable to use basic swimming strokes to keep their head above the water.
This may be because they are:
• physically exhausted
• panicked
• a non-swimmer and have stepped out of
their depth.
Signs of a distressed casualty include:
• unable to call for help
• being vertical in the water
• no effective leg kick
• vigorous arm movements.
A weak swimmer or distressed casualty may submerge in the water very quickly and silently.
A lifeguard may have less than 20 seconds to assist.
Weak swimmers may listen to commands from lifeguards and reach for nearby rescue
equipment.
Distressed casualties, although conscious, will probably not respond to commands or reach for
nearby rescue equipment.
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Lifeguard Operations
Injured casualty
Many different injuries can occur in the sea, including
muscle cramps, bruises and broken bones.
Signs of an injured casualty include:
• shouting for help
• staying still in the water
• holding the injured part of the body
• look of pain.
Rescue techniques should be adapted to reduce the risk of making the injury worse during the
rescue, and to ensure the comfort of the casualty.
A lifeguard may need additional help from other lifeguards to assist the casualty from
the water.
Unconscious casualty
There are many reasons a person may become
unconscious:
•bang to the head, perhaps from a surfboard, boat
or submerged object
•medical emergency, such as a heart attack, stroke
or drunkenness
•unaided, a distressed casualty will soon lose
consciousness and become unconscious.
An unconscious person may float face down at the
surface or sink underwater.
If an unconscious person is face down in the water, breathing will stop and must be started
again as soon as possible if the casualty is to survive.
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LIFEGUARD
The following whistle blasts should be used:
3.6 Lifeguard communication
To be effective, lifeguards on patrol must be able to
communicate with other lifeguards and beach users,
often over long distances.
Whistle blasts and hand signals are used to attract the
attention of other lifeguards and beach users and pass
on important information.
1 whistle blast = attract the attention
of beach users.
Whistle
Whistles should be carried with a lifeguard when
on patrol.
They can be heard over relatively long distances but
if a whistle is used too often then its significance will
decrease and people will take no notice when it is used!
2 whistle blasts = attract the attention
of another lifeguard
3 whistle blasts = lifeguard taking
emergency action
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Lifeguard Operations
Hand signals
Hand signals can be used to pass on information to beach users and other lifeguards. It is important that lifeguards
understand the hand signals to avoid confusion during an emergency.
The following hand signals should be used by a lifeguard on the shore to communicate with another lifeguard
in the water:
Return to shore.
Proceed further out to sea.
Stay stationary.
Message not understood.
Move that direction.
Move that direction.
Investigate an object in
the water.
Pick up swimmers
(spin upper arm and point in
direction of swimmers).
The following signals should be used from a lifeguard in the water to a lifeguard on the shore:
Assistance required.
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Danger.
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All clear.
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Rescue
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the principles of Stop, Think,
Act, Review.
2. Understand the types of rescue equipment
and their uses.
3. Understand the different types of rescue
and when they should be used.
4. Understand how to remove a casualty from
the water.
4. Rescue
4.1 Stop, Think, Act, Review
Unfortunately, preventative actions will not stop all
incidents from occurring.
A lifeguard must be prepared to take emergency action
to provide assistance to beach users in the water and
on the shore.
Incidents usually occur in busy environments and a
lifeguard may have to make a quick – and possible
lifesaving – decision under great stress.
It is important that a lifeguard takes time to make
a good assessment of what is happening and consider
all possible options before providing assistance.
Reviewing the rescue can provide important lesson
learning. This can be done in a four-stage process:
Stop, Think, Act, Review.
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Rescue
Stop
• Assess the location of the casualty.
• Assess the condition of the casualty.
• Call for the help of another lifeguard or member of the public.
• Look for suitable rescue aids.
Think
• How will you get to the casualty; what equipment will you need?
• What are the dangers to yourself and the casualty?
• How will you rescue the casualty and where will you bring them to?
• How will you treat the casualty?
• Will you need further assistance?
Act
• Carry out the rescue.
• Provide appropriate medical treatment.
• Go for further assistance if necessary.
Review
• Record the incident.
• How could you prevent the incident from happening again?
• Could anything have been done differently?
- Was the rescue equipment used appropriately?
- Was the correct medical treatment given?
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Rescue
4.2 Rescue equipment
In high-resource countries, lifeguard equipment has been specifically produced to help provide safer rescues.
However, for many lifeguard services – particularly those in low-resource countries – access to this equipment may
be expensive or impossible.
Rescue tube
Description
Positives
Negatives
A buoyant and flexible object
made of foam. A long strap is
attached at one end.
• Lightweight and easy to carry.
•Can support an unconscious
casualty.
•Can support multiple casualties.
•Metal clip may cause injury if
thrown.
Description
Positives
Negatives
A long stable surfboard with
multiple handles for a casualty
and rescuer to hold on to.
• Extremely buoyant.
•Quick to reach a casualty
and return to shore.
• Effective in surf.
• Can support multiple casualties.
•Can be difficult to manoeuvre
in large surf.
•Needs significant skill
and practice.
•Easily damaged and difficult
to transport.
Rescue board
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Rescue
Similar equipment can be produced locally using low-cost materials. Examples include:
Water container (or similar item that floats)
Description
Positives
Negatives
Standard liquid container, ideally
5-litre capacity or above.
• Widely available.
• Durable.
•Can attach a rope to the handle
to give the lifeguard distance
from the casualty.
•Can be difficult to hold
when wet.
• Possibility of leakage.
Description
Positives
Negatives
Often found at tourist beaches
around the world.
•Quick to reach casualty and
return to shore.
• Effective in surf.
• Can support multiple casualties.
•Can be difficult to manoeuvre
in large surf.
•Needs significant skill and
practice.
•Easily damaged and difficult
to transport.
• Relatively expensive.
• Unavailable in many countries.
Surfboard
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Rescue
4.3 Conducting a rescue
It is important to let another member of the lifeguard
team know that you are conducting a rescue. They can
then provide appropriate assistance with the rescue or
go for further help if necessary.
To signal that you are taking emergency action, shout
for help and blow your whistle 3 times.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Rescuing a drowning casualty is dangerous and many
people drown each year while trying to help someone
else in the water. A number of different rescue options
may be available to a lifeguard and it is important that a
lifeguard is competent in all of them.
Conducting a rescue from land is the safest type of
rescue for a lifeguard as it does not require entry into
dangerous water or direct contact with a drowning
casualty.
Instructor Manual |
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Rescue
Land-based rescue
Reach rescue
When?
When the casualty is close to shore.
Why?
It is the safest type of rescue.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2 and 3 below.
Step 1
Step 3
Reach the casualty using a long rigid object, such as
a stick or pole.
Pull the casualty into the side.
Step 2
Stay low on the ground so that the casualty cannot
pull you into the water.
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Throw rescue
When?
If the casualty is close to shore but too far to conduct a reach rescue.
Why?
Reduces the risk to the rescuer – no need to swim.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Attract the attention of the casualty.
Throw a floating object to the casualty such as a
rope, water container or rescue tube.
Step 3
Step 4
Tell the casualty to kick their legs and swim in
to the side.
Help the casualty out of the water.
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Rescue
Wade rescue
40
When?
If the casualty is close to shore and in shallow water. The casualty may have
stepped into a ‘hole’.
Why?
Reduces risk to rescuer – no need to swim.
Does not require a floating object.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 3
Attract the attention of the casualty.
Pass one end of a stick/pole to the casualty.
Step 2
Step 4
Enter the water carefully, taking a stick/pole with
you if possible to test the water depth and for the
casualty to hold onto.
Help the casualty out of the water.
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Rescue
Swimming rescue
Entering the water
Rescues that require the lifeguard to swim are more
dangerous than rescues from the land because:
Determine the location of the casualty before entering
the water.
• of the dangers of the water
• those being rescued may panic and grab the rescuer.
A swimming rescue should only be attempted if there
is no option of a land-based rescue.
Where possible, buoyant rescue equipment should be
used to assist with the rescue of a conscious casualty.
However, if rescue equipment is not available – or the
casualty is unconscious – then a lifeguard must be able
to do a contact tow to bring the casualty back to shore.
Choose the shortest and safest route to the casualty.
This may involve moving along the beach before
entering the water to take into account local currents.
If the depth of water is unknown – or there may be
submerged objects – then run or wade up to chest
depth before starting to swim.
If the depth is known then a shallow dive can be used.
Large waves
•Dive through the base of the wave with hands in front to protect your head.
•Dig your fingers in the sand.
•Pull yourself forward to surface the other side of the wave.
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Rescue
Swimming to a casualty
When swimming to a casualty, the lifeguard should swim
on their front, regularly bringing their head out of the
water to observe the position of the casualty.
The lifeguard should communicate with the casualty so
that they know help is coming.
Saving energy
Although a lifeguard should attempt to get to a casualty as quickly as possible, it is
important that they conserve enough energy for the return journey. Lifeguards should
practise their swimming technique to ensure maximum efficiency in the water.
Approaching a conscious casualty
A distressed casualty may try to grasp the lifeguard
if they get too close. When arriving at the scene the
lifeguard should keep a safe distance away from the
casualty (preferably at least 3 metres) while they assess
the situation.
If the lifeguard has a buoyant rescue aid then this
should be thrown to the casualty while maintaining
a safe distance.
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Rescue
Defending yourself
A distressed casualty may try to grasp the lifeguard if they get too close. To guard
against this the lifeguard should raise their leg towards the casualty and if necessary
kick them away, or submerge themselves to escape.
If the lifeguard has no rescue aid then they must get
into a position where they can avoid the grasp of the
casualty, pull them into a horizontal position and prepare
for the tow back to shore.
This is best achieved by the lifeguard swimming behind
the casualty and providing words of reassurance to
calm them down, and instructions on what actions they
should take to help the lifeguard tow them to shore.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Communicating with a casualty:
‘I’m a lifeguard, I’m going to help you.’
‘You are going to be OK.’
‘Kick your legs.’
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Rescue
Approaching an unconscious casualty
If the casualty is unconscious they need to be rolled
quickly onto their back to keep their face and mouth
out of the water and maintain breathing.
This is done by simply pushing down on one shoulder
and up on another.
Towing a casualty back to shore
When towing a casualty back to shore, the lifeguard
will only have one arm close to the surface. Normal
swimming techniques will not work so the lifeguard
must learn a swimming stroke that allows them to
swim effectively while towing a casualty.
The most effective way is for the lifeguard to swim
using a sidestroke – on their side with their hip facing
the sky. The legs are kept slightly bent and kicked in a
scissor action. The lower hand reaches out in front of the
lifeguard and is used to pull water down to the hips.
Alternatively, if the lifeguard is towing a casualty using
a floating object with a strap over their shoulder and
across their chest, then both hands will be free and the
lifeguard can use a front crawl stroke.
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Rescue
Towing using a floating object
Towing with no floating object
When a floating object is used for the rescue, the
lifeguard can hold the object rather than the casualty
directly. The lifeguard can hold the object with one hand
and tow the casualty on their side using a sidestroke.
Where no floating object is used for the rescue then
a lifeguard must have direct contact with the casualty
to tow them back.
To maintain the safety of the lifeguard, a long strap
is often attached to the rescue equipment. This gives
the lifeguard greater distance from the casualty
when towing.
If a strap is available then the lifeguard can hold
the strap and tow the casualty on their side using
a sidestroke.
The lifeguard can also put the strap over their shoulder
and across their chest and, with both hands free, the
lifeguard can use a front crawl stroke to tow the
casualty back to shore.
There are a number of different ways to secure a
casualty when towing:
Cross-chest tow
The cross-chest tow allows the lifeguard to have good
control over the casualty and is best suited for towing
a panicking casualty.
This tow gives the casualty a feeling of security as their
head is out of the water and they stay in close physical
contact with the lifeguard.
•Lifeguard reaches over the shoulder and across the
chest, and grasps the casualty just below the armpit.
•Lifeguard tucks the casualty’s shoulder securely into
their own armpit.
•Lifeguard turns onto their side so that their hip
is directly beneath the lower section of the
casualty’s back.
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Rescue
Extended chin tow
The extended chin tow is usually used for an
unconscious or cooperative casualty.
It is suitable for towing over long distances and is the
most efficient tow.
•Leaning backwards, the lifeguard reaches over the
shoulder of the casualty and cups the casualty’s chin
in the palm of their hand.
•Lifeguard swims with their free arm and legs,
moving the casualty into a horizontal position.
• Lifeguard can tow the casualty to shore.
Close chin tow
The close chin tow is used to give extra support to the
casualty. It allows the lifeguard to talk to and monitor
the casualty while bringing them to shore. This gives
a greater sense of security to the casualty, and greater
control to the lifeguard.
•Leaning backwards, the lifeguard should reach over
the shoulder of the casualty and cup the casualty’s
chin in the palm of their hand.
•Lifeguard places the other hand under the casualty’s
armpit.
•Lifeguard swims with their free arm and legs, moving
the casualty into a horizontal position.
•Lifeguard moves the head of the casualty onto their
shoulder (the same side as the hand used to hold the
chin with).
• Lifeguard can tow the casualty to shore.
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Rescue
Returning a casualty through waves
When returning to shore with a casualty the lifeguard
must ensure that the casualty’s airway remains clear and
is not submerged under water.
If a large wave is spotted then the lifeguard should move
behind the casualty and protect them from the force of
the wave.
A broken wave may submerge the casualty underwater.
While towing back to shore the lifeguard should look out
for approaching waves.
The lifeguard will need to protect themselves from being
injured by the casualty’s head. Lifeguards should always
remember that if the lifeguard becomes injured during a
rescue, both the lifeguard and casualty become at risk.
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Rescue
Swim rescue with floating object – conscious casualty
When?
If the casualty is conscious and too far away from shore to throw a floating
object or wade.
Why?
Does not put lifeguard in direct contact with casualty.
Suitable floating objects are commonly available.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Communicate with the casualty to tell them you
are coming.
Enter the water with a floating object.
Step 3
Swim to the casualty with the floating object.
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Step 4
Step 5
Keep a safe distance from the casualty. Reassure the
casualty and pass them the floating object.
Encourage the casualty to swim to the shore,
or tow the casualty to shore and give
appropriate aftercare.
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Rescue
Swim rescue with no floating object – conscious casualty
When?
If the casualty is conscious and no floating objects are available.
Why?
Allows the lifeguard to conduct a rescue with no floating object.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Enter the water. Swim to the casualty, and keep
checking the position of the casualty.
On approaching the casualty, keep a safe distance.
Reassure the casualty.
Step 3
Step 4
Ask the casualty to turn around, or swim behind
the casualty.
Tow the casualty to shore and provide
appropriate aftercare.
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Rescue
Swim rescue with floating object – unconscious casualty
50
When?
If the casualty is unconscious and too far away from shore to throw a
floating object or wade.
Why?
Does not put lifeguard in direct contact with casualty.
Suitable floating objects are commonly available.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Enter the water with a floating object, swim to the
casualty and keep checking their position.
Use the floating object to support the casualty.
Step 3
Step 4
Turn the casualty onto their back and if possible
secure the floating object or hold in a position that
supports the casualty. Ensure that their face is out
of the water and check for breathing. If they are not
breathing, and depending on ability, equipment and
environment, give 5 rescue breaths.
Tow the casualty to shore making as much
use of the flotation as possible and provide
appropriate aftercare.
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LIFEGUARD
Rescue
Swim rescue with no floating object – unconscious casualty
When?
If the casualty is unconscious.
Why?
Allows the lifeguard to rescue a casualty who is unconscious
in the water.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Enter the water, swim to the casualty, and keep
checking the position of the casualty.
Turn the casualty onto their back.
Step 3
Step 4
Keep their face out of the water.
Tow the casualty to shore and provide
appropriate aftercare.
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Rescue
Board rescue – conscious casualty
52
When?
If a board is available.
Why?
Fast response to reach the casualty and rapid return to shore.
Effective in surf and can support multiple casualties.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Enter the water with board. Paddle to the casualty
and approach on the shoreside of the casualty.
Keep checking their position.
Lifeguard moves to the back of the board and
assists casualty onto the middle of the board.
Step 3
Step 4
Paddle the casualty to shore and assist off
the board.
Provide appropriate aftercare.
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Rescue
Board rescue – unconscious casualty
When?
If a surfboard or rescue board is available.
Why?
Fast response to reach casualty and rapid return to shore.
Allows for rescue breathing in the water.
How?
Follow steps 1 to 7 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Enter the water and approach the casualty.
Support the casualty. Check breathing for 10 seconds.
If not breathing, cover the mouth and give 5 rescue
breaths through the nose.
When at the casualty, turn the board upside down
and lean over the board. Keep the board facing into
the wind/waves.
Step 4
Step 3
Turn the casualty onto the board.
Move the casualty fully onto the board and paddle
the casualty to the beach.
Step 5
Assist off the board and provide aftercare.
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Rescue
Tips:
•Regular practice is needed to master board skills.
•Placing the casualty in a balanced position is essential to maintain stability and control.
•A conscious casualty may be able to assist in paddling back to shore.
Large waves
•Roll the board upside down.
• Hold down the front of the board while the waves pass over you.
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Rescue
4.4 Removing a casualty from the water
A casualty should be removed from the water as quickly
as possible so that necessary CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation) or first aid can be given.
The removal of a casualty from the water may be
affected by the:
•size of the casualty and the number of lifeguards
available
• composition and gradient of the beach
• type and location of any injury to the casualty
• tide, currents and waves.
Lifeguards should work as a team to identify a safe
point of exit for the rescuer and casualty. This can be
communicated using hand signals and whistle blasts.
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Conducting a rescue can be physically exhausting for the
rescuer and casualty. When a lifeguard nears the shore,
other lifeguards should come to their assistance as soon
as it is safe to do so. The rescuer should raise a hand in
the air when they are able to stand.
If the lifeguard has to wait for assistance then they
should secure the casualty by putting their arms under
the casualty’s shoulders and holding their wrists.
The casualty should be lifted so their head is out of
the water and clear of any waves. If the casualty is
unconscious the rescuer should tilt the casualty’s chin
backwards to keep the airway open.
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Rescue
Moving a walking casualty
It is always preferable for the casualty to walk out
of the water.
If a casualty is able to walk then the rescuer may support
them while they wade out of the water and up the beach.
•To secure the casualty, the rescuer should place the
arm of the casualty over their shoulder and hold the
casualty’s hand.
•To support the casualty, the rescuer should place their
shoulder under their armpit of the casualty and hold
their waist.
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Rescue
Moving a casualty who is unable to walk
A casualty who is unconscious, injured or exhausted may be unable to exit the water without assistance. Removing
a person from the water is easier if more people are able to assist. A rescuer may have to ask for help from members
of the public if there are no lifeguards immediately available. A number of simple techniques have been developed to
carry a person from the water:
Single-person carry
When?
If a casualty is unconscious, injured or exhausted.
If no other assistance is available/if the rescuer is alone.
Why?
Removal of casualty from the water for treatment.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Rescuer secures the casualty by putting their
arms under the casualty’s shoulders and holding
their wrists.
Rescuer lifts the casualty up and out of the water.
Step 3
Step 4
Rescuer walks backwards up the beach and out
of the water.
Rescuer brings the casualty up the beach to a point
of safety and lowers the casualty to the ground
carefully, minimising movement of the head.
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Rescue
Two-person carry
When?
If a casualty is unconscious, injured or exhausted.
If another lifeguard or member of the public is available to assist.
Why?
Fast removal of the casualty from the water for treatment.
How?
Follow steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.
Step 1
Step 2
Call for assistance. Rescuer secures the casualty by
putting their arms under the casualty’s shoulders
and holding their wrists.
Second person lifts casualty’s feet off the ground.
Step 3
Step 4
Rescuer lifts the casualty up and out of the water.
Rescuer walks backwards up the beach and out
of the water.
Rescuer brings the casualty up the beach to a point
of safety and lowers the casualty to the ground
carefully, minimising movement of the head.
Identifying a point of safety
Beware of a rising tide
If the casualty is unconscious and requires CPR then the casualty may have to stay in the same position
for 30 minutes. Ensure the casualty is moved far enough up the beach so that the tide will not impact your
working area.
Keep members of the public away from the casualty and lifeguard.
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First Aid
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the principles of first aid.
2. Understand casualty assessment.
3. Understand how to provide immediate
treatment for a variety of medical emergencies.
5. First Aid
5.1 The principles of first aid
First aid is the temporary immediate care given to
an injured or sick person before professional treatment
is started.
The main principles of first aid are to:
• preserve life
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and is
a technique to keep oxygenated blood flowing around
the body by doing chest compressions and giving rescue
breaths. In a small number of cases this may restart
the heart, keeping brain activity normal.
• protect the casualty from further harm
• prevent the injury or illness from getting worse
• provide reassurance.
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First Aid
5.2 Casualty assessment
Check for Danger
The lifeguard must first check for potential dangers that may be present before approaching and assessing a casualty.
Check airway, breathing and signs of life (circulation)
In order for the body to function it needs oxygen. Air contains oxygen. When air is breathed into the body the oxygen
enters the bloodstream through the lungs. Oxygen is then circulated around the body by blood pumped by the heart.
If a person is not breathing normally then their heart might also stop working.
It is very important to keep the airway clear, to ensure breathing is present, and to check for signs of life (making sure the
heart is still circulating blood). In first aid these priorities are called the ABC: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
Check Airway
Tight clothing surrounding the airway should be loosened or removed.
If the casualty is unconscious:
•open the mouth of the casualty and clear out any debris (including
vomit) by rolling the casualty onto their side
•tilt the head backwards by placing one hand on the forehead and two
fingers on the chin.
Check Breathing
If the casualty is unconscious it is necessary to check to see if they are
breathing normally:
•bring your cheek close to the mouth of the casualty; listen and feel for
regular breathing for 10 seconds
• watch the chest for movement.
Important: Gasping or irregular short and shallow breathing is not normal.
Action for vomiting
If the casualty starts vomiting, roll them onto their side immediately to
reduce the chance of them choking.
If possible, use your hand to support their head and use your fingers to
remove any objects left in the mouth.
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If the casualty is breathing normally
If the casualty is breathing normally then they need to be kept in a comfortable position that keeps their airway open.
Recovery position
Place the casualty in the recovery position. This:
• allows fluids to be drained from the mouth
• keeps the casualty in a stable position while help can be found.
If they are kept in the same position for more than 20 minutes then they should be turned to the opposite side.
Step 1
Step 2
Kneel beside the casualty and make sure that both
legs are straight. Place the arm nearest to you out
at right angles to the body, elbow bent with the
palm of the hand facing upwards.
Bring the far arm across the chest, and hold the
back of the hand against the casualty’s cheek
nearest to you.
Step 3
Step 4
With your other hand, grasp the far leg just
above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot
on the ground. Keeping the hand pressed against
the cheek, pull on the far leg to roll the casualty
towards you onto their side.
Adjust the upper leg so that both the hip and
knee are bent at right angles. Tilt the head back
to make sure that the airway remains open.
Check breathing regularly.
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First Aid
If the casualty is not breathing normally
If there are no signs of regular breathing it is necessary for the lifeguard to breathe for the casualty:
Open airway and initial breaths
Step 1
Step 2
Tilt the head back and lift the chin using two
fingers. Using one hand, pinch the nose to stop
air escaping.
Open the lips of the casualty and seal your lips
around their mouth, blow steadily until the
chest rises. Give another breath when the chest
falls. Repeat until you have given 5 breaths.
Continue to look for signs of life.
Check for signs of life (Circulation)
After giving 5 initial breaths it is important to find out if the heart
is still working and blood is circulating around the body:
Spend 10 seconds looking for any signs of life:
• See if the casualty responds to speech.
•Check for movement of the body, particularly
the eyes and fingers.
•See if the casualty responds to pain by pinching
the shoulder.
If there are signs of life put the casualty in the
recovery position.
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If there are no signs of life
If there are no signs of life then the blood needs to be pumped around the body by the rescuer:
Chest compressions
Step 1
Step 2
Put the heal of the palm of your hand on the
centre of the casualty’s chest, between the nipples.
On adults, place your second hand on top of the
first and link your fingers.
Keeping your arms straight, and using the weight
of your body, compress the chest approximately
5–6cm in chest depth. Repeat this 30 times doing
roughly 2 compressions per second.
Step 3
After 30 compressions give 2 breaths. Then give
another 30 compressions.
Continue this cycle until the casualty regains signs
of life, or go for help after 30 minutes.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Compressions on children
In children (aged approximately 1–8 years) use
only a single hand to compress the chest to
approximately one third of the chest depth.
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First Aid
Summary – casualty assessment
Check for Danger
Unresponsive?
Shout for help
Breathing
Open Airway and
check Breathing
Recovery position
No breathing
5 breaths
Check for
signs of life
(Circulation)
30 chest
compressions
Repeat for 30 minutes
before stopping
2 breaths
If there is no immediate help available, someone should go and get help at an appropriate time.
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LIFEGUARD
5.3 Treatment for medical emergencies
Shock
Shock occurs when there is a lack of oxygen to vital
organs of the body. There are many reasons why
someone might go into shock:
• excessive loss of blood
•loss of fluid, perhaps due to diarrhoea, vomiting
or severe burn
The cause of the shock should be treated as described
in the following sections of this manual.
If the person is unconscious or becomes unconscious,
then breathing is the top priority and should be treated
as described on page 62.
If the person is conscious and the cause of the shock
has been treated then:
• electrocution
• lay the casualty down
• snake or insect bite
• raise the feet
• excessive exposure to sunlight.
• keep the casualty warm
If a person is in shock they may show the following signs
or symptoms:
• reassure the casualty
• go for further help.
• over breathing (hyperventilation)
• cold, clammy skin
• feeling continuously thirsty
• unconscious
• nausea.
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First Aid
Wounds
Open wounds can be caused by many different things including sharp rocks and surfboards.
A wound may result in heavy bleeding, which can result in shock (see page 65) or infection. Once a clear airway and
regular breathing have been established it is necessary to stem any major bleeding and treat the wound appropriately.
Remember:
Reduce contact with blood by using plastic bags, plastic wrap or gloves if available.
If bleeding is heavy it is necessary to stem the bleeding
immediately:
•Using a piece of cloth, apply direct pressure on the
wound. On small cuts keep the pad on the wound
for 10 minutes before checking to see if bleeding has
finished. The casualty may apply pressure to reduce
the opportunity for cross-infection.
•If blood soaks through the first layer of cloth then
apply another layer on top.
• If possible, raise the limb to reduce blood flow.
• Ensure the casualty is relaxed and comfortable.
• Obtain further help from a health professional.
•The casualty may go into shock. Once the wound/
bleeding has been treated, then follow the treatment
for shock referred to on page 65.
Something in the wound?
If the wound contains a foreign object (for example a shard of broken glass or a stick),
do not remove the object. Apply indirect pressure and pad around the wound.
Seek further help from a health professional.
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First Aid
Broken bones
Broken bones occur from impacts, such as a collision with a surfboard, or from a crush. Broken bones need to be
examined and treated in a hospital to ensure complete recovery. There are two main types of break:
Open – where the bone breaks the skin and is visible.
• Treat the bleeding as described on page 66.
• Try to keep the injured limb as still as possible.
• Take the casualty to hospital for treatment.
Closed – where the bone does not break the surface of the skin.
• Do not try to straighten the limb.
• Put the limb in a comfortable position.
• Take the casualty to hospital.
If the casualty has a broken leg it may be necessary to splint the leg to keep it still while being transported to hospital.
Splinting the limb will stop it from moving and causing further pain.
Wood and rope can make an effective splint to keep the limb in place (see above) but other materials can also be used.
Use rope to attach a straight stick to the leg. Where possible, use two sticks to keep the leg straight.
If a suitable material for creating a splint cannot be found then the other leg can also be used to help keep the injured
leg straight.
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First Aid
Excessive exposure to sunlight –
heat exhaustion and heat stroke
A casualty suffering heat exhaustion will be sweating,
thirsty, feeling weak and possibly have a headache, nausea
and cramps.
The casualty should remain inactive and be told to rest in
a cool area and to remove any excess or tight clothing.
They should also be encouraged to drink water as this will
rehydrate them.
The casualty should be laid down with their legs raised.
They can be assisted to cool down by using soaked towels
on their torso, forehead and back of their neck. The
casualty should improve within 30 minutes but should see
a health professional if at all unsure.
Heat stroke can be fatal so it must be treated seriously
and treated rapidly. Heat stroke is where the body
temperature is up to around 40°C and this can cause
unconsciousness, with hot but dry skin, confusion and
possibly fitting.
If they are unconscious but breathing, ensure that
their airway is maintained and place them in the
recovery position.
Rapidly cool the casualty by any means possible. This
might include pouring water over them or by covering
them in soaked towels. A casualty with heat stoke must
be taken to hospital or to see a health professional as soon
as possible.
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Loss of fluid
People lose body fluids every day. Most of this is water
that we lose through everyday activities in our sweat,
urine, and stool. The water also contains small amounts
of salts that are vital for our body to function properly.
If a person is sweating heavily, vomiting or suffering from
diarrhoea then they may lose too much fluid. This may
cause their body to suffer from dehydration.
The most likely cause of dehydration on the beach
is sweating due to over-exposure to the sun or too
much exercise.
Signs and symptoms for dehydration include:
• increased thirst
• dry mouth
• weakness
• dizziness
• confusion
• fainting
• inability to sweat.
A person suffering from dehydration should sip on
clean water, containing oral rehydration salts if they are
available. If they are hot then they should be moved to a
cool place to relax and cool down.
If the person has been vomiting for more than a day,
or has had diarrhoea for more than 2 days, or does not
recover from their symptoms after sipping water then
they should be taken to see a health professional for
further treatment.
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First Aid
Burns
Burns may be caused by camp fires or hot parts of a boat
engine. It is important that the wound is treated quickly.
• Remove any rings or wrist watches.
• Do not remove any clothing that is stuck to the skin.
•Submerge the wound under flowing water for at least
10 minutes.
• Do not burst any blisters.
• Do not apply any creams.
If the burn is severe then take the casualty to hospital to
get further treatment.
If clothes are on fire then lie the casualty on the ground and roll them to extinguish the flames.
Nosebleed
Sit the casualty down and lean them forward to ensure
that blood does not block the throat.
Keep the head above the heart.
•Place cold, wet material on the nose to reduce the
flow of blood.
• Pinch the nostrils.
•Check to see if bleeding has finished after 10 minutes
and reapply pressure.
•If bleeding has not stopped after 30 minutes take the
casualty to hospital.
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First Aid
Animal bite
Dog bite
A wound may have been caused by an animal bite,
for example a snake or dog.
Dog bites can cause heavy bleeding or infection.
Rabies is a common concern in many countries and it
is important that lifeguards do not put themselves in
danger of infection.
Bites by poisonous animals, or animals infected by
diseases, can cause a casualty to stop breathing or
cause heavy bleeding. Before treating an animal bite,
ensure the animal is unable to cause further harm to
the casualty or lifeguard.
The lifeguard should avoid coming into contact with
poisonous venom or saliva by using a protective barrier
(such as a plastic bag or banana leaf).
Snake bite
If you suspect that the casualty has been bitten by a
snake, it is important to slow the circulation of venom
around the body. Limit the movement of the casualty.
•Make sure the animal is no longer a danger.
•Remove any rings or constricting items because the
affected area may swell.
•Wash the wound well with clean water for
15 minutes. Use running water if possible.
If running water is not available then regularly change
the water used to clean the wound. Do not touch
the wound.
•Apply a dry wound dressing.
•If the wound is bleeding heavily then give treatment
as described on page 66.
• Lie the casualty down and give reassurance.
•Remove any rings or constricting items because the
area affected may swell.
• Transport the casualty to hospital.
• Do not attempt to suck out poison or cut the wound to drain blood.
If the casualty shows signs of infection then take
them to hospital. Signs and symptoms of infection
may include:
• pain around the wound
• redness and tenderness
• swelling
If the snake is still alive, do not attempt
to kill it as it may still be dangerous.
• pus or discharge.
If the snake has already been killed,
it should be taken to the hospital with
the casualty in case it can be identified.
However, do not handle the snake
with bare hands as even a severed
head can bite!
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Poison
Electrocution
Poisoning may be accidental or deliberate. Poisons may
enter the body in a number of ways:
Electrocution occurs when a person comes into contact
with an electric current. Before giving first aid to a person
who has been electrocuted it is important that the source
of electricity is isolated. Depending on the situation, this
may simply mean turning off the electricity at a plug
point or moving the source of electricity away using a
non-conducting material.
• digested (eating)
• inhaled
• injected
• absorbed through the skin.
The lifeguard’s first priority is to assess the situation to
ensure they are safe. Always use a non-conducting object
such as a dry wooden stick or plastic pole to move away
electric objects. Never stand in water if you suspect that
it may be in contact with a source of electricity.
Electrocution can result in severe
burns and unconsciousness.
If a person is unconscious
you should try to maintain
breathing. Follow the steps
on page 62.
Signs and symptoms of poisoning include:
• unconsciousness
If a person is suffering from
a burn, cool water should be
poured onto the wound. For further information see
treatment as laid out in the burns section on page 69.
• nausea
• vomiting
• burning pain in the mouth or throat
• headache
• blurred vision
• seizures
• abnormal skin colour.
If you suspect someone has been poisoned, identify
the poison and seek help from a doctor immediately or
transfer to hospital. If you are unable to get to a hospital:
•keep the person still and try to get them to drink lots
of clean water
•do not induce vomiting.
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Record Keeping
Learning outcomes
1. Understand why things need to be recorded.
2. Understand what needs to be documented.
6. Record keeping
6.1 Why keep records?
Recording incidents and beach activity is important to measure and record success and improvement of the
lifeguard service.
Recording success can also be used for publicity purposes and to highlight the work of the lifeguard service to
other beach users.
Records of incidents can highlight particular dangers at
the beach, such as a dangerous pier or rock. They can
also be used to highlight when most incidents occur.
If the lifeguard service has no documented records
then it may be difficult to get support from other
organisations.
The more the lifeguard service can record and document,
the more information they will have to improve their
service and highlight their success.
Information on the use of the beach should be collected
regularly throughout the day, and detailed accounts of
any incidents should also be recorded.
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LIFEGUARD
6.2 What to document
The environment
Incidents
• Tidal conditions.
• Weather conditions.
•Contact details of lifeguard(s) and person(s)
involved in the incident.
Beach activities
• Date and time of the incident.
• Number of lifeguards working on
the beach.
• Age and sex of casualty/casualties.
• Number of people on the beach.
• Treatment given.
•Any unusual activity or event taking place
(such as a festival).
•Outcome – did they go home, go to
hospital or die?
• How the incident occurred
• Number of people in the water swimming/ – what happened?
surfing between the flags.
• Type of injury.
Documentation should be made at regular intervals during the day so that a record is kept of activities throughout
the whole day. Standardised forms should be used and training should be given to all lifeguard members on how to
complete them.
Documentation should be checked by lifeguards at the end of each day and stored in a safe place. Examples of recordkeeping documentation can be found in the Appendices.
It is important to maintain the privacy of casualty records and not release the names of casualties to the media.
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Appendices
7.1 Lifeguard service
7. Appendices
7.1 Lifeguard service
What is a lifeguard service?
A lifeguard service is an organisation responsible for
maintaining the safety of water users and acts as a focal
point for information and emergency assistance on
the beach.
The primary role of a lifeguard service is to prevent
beach users from getting into difficulty on the beach
or in the water. The easiest way to do this is to provide
beach users with the safety knowledge they need before
they enter the water.
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However, a lifeguard service also needs to have the
capability to rescue those who get into difficulty. To do
this, lifeguard services must be capable of educating
members of their community, and provide appropriate
training for those working as lifeguards.
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LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Why start a lifeguard service?
What do you need to get started?
Lifeguard services are usually started by communities
who recognise that the water where they bathe, work
or play could be dangerous to the people using it. This
realisation often comes following a number of fatal
drownings but it may also be because an area is well
known to contain dangerous features and has the
potential to cause injury.
Setting up a lifeguard service can be a daunting task but
it requires few resources. The biggest requirement is to
have an area of water that is safe to train in, and have
potential lifeguards with a good knowledge of the local
beach environment.
In addition, lifeguard services have the potential to
bring people together around a common issue that has
an impact on all members of a community. Lifeguard
training and public education can be a fun and
motivational way for adults and children to learn how to
be safe in and around water.
The introduction of a lifeguard service could also
contribute significantly to a local economy. Tourists
may be attracted to safer beaches. If funds are available
lifeguards may also be employed by the lifeguard service.
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Controlled environments such as swimming pools and
ponds are good to use to practise techniques before using
them in the ocean.
A teaching area will also be required to teach the theory
aspects of lifeguarding and first aid. The teaching area
should ideally be covered, comfortable and secure.
Most rescue equipment can be made locally using
inexpensive resources available from most markets
(see Section 4.2 Rescue equipment on page 35). The
biggest expense for any new lifeguard service will be to
produce recognisable lifeguard uniforms (see Section 1.3
Lifeguard uniform and personal equipment on page 13).
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Appendices
Who should you work with?
Police/law enforcement
An effective lifeguard service is able to interact with all
relevant organisations to ensure that:
Police and other law enforcement agencies may be able
to assist with the management of beach users. Their skills
can be particularly useful if people become aggressive
or in helping to control crowds during an emergency.
Furthermore, the police often collect drowning statistics
that might help to lobby government and other
organisations for support.
•beach users are educated about how to be safe in
the water
•rescues can be conducted as safely and quickly
as possible
•casualties needing further assistance can be given
appropriate help.
Local government/beach owner
As the police usually have a regular presence at a
populated beach, providing them with water rescue and
first aid training may be of additional benefit to provide
immediate support to the lifeguard service.
If the lifeguard service will be operating on a public
beach then it is important that support is gained from
appropriate local government officials.
When interacting with government officials it is
important to emphasise the benefits a lifeguard service
could bring to the local community. Busy tourist beaches
may have a government-supported beach management
committee who will need to be contacted prior to
starting beach activities.
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Appendices
Medical professionals
A well-trained lifeguard service should be able to provide
emergency first aid to an injured casualty. In some cases,
casualties may need further attention from medical
professionals, such as a doctor or nurse. It is important
that the lifeguard service has a knowledge of the
medical services available and how to contact them in
an emergency. It is also useful that the medical services
understand the capabilities of the lifeguard service.
Medical services may include:
• registered doctor
• local clinic
• government hospital
• private hospital.
In some countries an ambulance service may be able to
take an injured casualty to hospital. However, in most
countries such services are slow, expensive or unavailable.
Even if a casualty can find appropriate transportation,
many hospitals in low-resource settings are unable to
provide adequate emergency treatment.
Given these resource limitations many lifeguard services
will inevitably have to face emergency situations without
appropriate medical support.
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Appendices
Search and rescue coordination
Search and rescue organisations in all countries will
identify who the authority is that is responsible for
coordinating large-scale rescue operations.
Media
The media can help to promote the work of the lifeguard
service, and also provide safety education to the public.
Reports on successful rescues will help boost the image
of the lifeguard service in the community and also help
with maintaining funding and support.
User groups
Getting the support of other beach users can be a difficult
task, particularly when new rules are introduced for
them to follow. Prior to the introduction of new rules it is
important to convince current beach users of the benefits
the lifeguard service will bring.
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Appendices
LIFEGUARD
How could the lifeguard service
be funded?
Lifeguard services can be run through volunteer
organisations, statutory bodies or through contracting
agencies. They may run alongside each other, providing
complementary services during busy periods.
Voluntary
Voluntary unpaid services are run by members of
an organisation who offer their skills and knowledge
for free. They may be run at weekends or during the
holidays when service members are not undertaking
paid employment, or by people already undertaking paid
work on the beach. It is important to remember that
even unpaid services may need a small start-up fund to
purchase rescue equipment and uniform.
Employed
Paid services are run by lifeguards who are employed to
work as part of a full-time or part-time job.
Possible sources of funding
•local government
•private companies looking for advertising revenue
•private companies looking to invest in projects to
maintain their social corporate responsibility
•companies with an interest in maintaining the
safety and security of beach users (for example,
hotel owners)
• local and international NGOs
•providing first aid and/or rescue training for other
organisations.
Important:
The development of a lifeguard service takes time and must be done in consultation
with other services and beach users. Rushing this process will result in an ineffective
and uncoordinated lifeguard service.
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Appendices
7.2 Report forms
Lifeguard daily log
Date:
Time on duty:
Time off duty:
Name of beach:
High tide:
Low tide:
Names of lifeguards working:
Weather
Morning checks
Number of people in the water:
Empty
Few people
Moderate
Busy
Wave height:.....................................
Weather
Midday checks
Number of people in the water:
Empty
Few people
Moderate
Busy
Wave height:.....................................
Weather
Afternoon checks
Number of people in the water:
Empty
Few people
Moderate
Busy
Comments:.........................................................................................................................
Wave height:.....................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Incident tally/count:
First aid:
Prevention:
LIFEGUARD
Rescue:
LIFEGUARD
80
| International Beach Lifeguard
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Appendices
LIFEGUARD
Lifeguard incident report form
Date:............................................................................................... Time of incident start:................... Time finish:....................
Location of incident:.................................................................................................................................................................................
Type of incident:........................................................................................................................................................................................
Homicide:
Suicide:
Accident:
Number of casualties:..............................................................
Details of casualties
Casualty name:...................................................................................................
Casualty sex: Male
Casualty age: 0–4
5–14
15–18
19–24
25–39
Female:
40+
Contact details: .........................................................................................................................................................................................
Injury/treatment/outcome: .................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Casualty name:...................................................................................................
Casualty sex: Male
Casualty age: 0–4
25–39
5–14
15–18
19–24
Female:
40+
Contact details: .........................................................................................................................................................................................
Injury/treatment/outcome: .................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Incident description
Weather: Wave height:.............................................
Visibility:.....................................................
Activity:........................................................................................................................
Water depth: ............................................
Suspected drugs: Yes
No
Suspected alcohol: Yes
No
What happened?........................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
What caused the incident? ..................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Name of person reporting the incident:.................................................................................... Date: ..........................................
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Instructor Manual |
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82
1.5 Understand the role of lifeguard fitness.
1.2 Understand the role and duty of the lifeguard.
| International Beach Lifeguard
Understand
the importance
of sun protection.
Understand the
role of lifeguard
fitness.
1.5
Understand
the role of the
lifeguard uniform
and personal
equipment.
1.3
1.4
Understand the
role and duty of
the lifeguard.
1.2
•Discuss ways to keep fit.
•Explain the importance of staying fit.
•Discuss the need for a lifeguard to be fit in the context of the local environment.
•Explain and demonstrate ways to reduce exposure to the sun and reduce the risk of dehydration.
•Explain the dangers of the sun on the body.
•Discuss different types of personal equipment and how they assist the lifeguard in their role.
•Ask students why it is important to wear lifeguard uniform. Highlight the importance of
functionality and visibility.
•For each prevention activity get students to identify the target audience.
•Explain the importance of prevention and different types of prevention strategies, including
community education and teaching children how to swim.
•Explain the role and duty of the lifeguard.
•Ask the students what they can do as lifeguards and individuals to stop the chain from
being broken.
10–15 minutes
and throughout
the course
15 minutes
5–10 minutes
20 minutes and
throughout the
course
10–15 minutes
• Explain the process of drowning.
Understand the
drowning process.
1.1
•Explain the importance of each link of the chain and the role the lifeguard can take so that the
chain is not broken.
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
LIFEGUARD
Key points
1.3 Understand the role of the lifeguard uniform
and personal equipment.
1.4 Understand the importance of sun protection.
1.1 Understand the drowning process.
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 1: Lifeguard Knowledge
Appendices
7.3 Lesson plans
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Understand how
the beach
influences
water depth.
Understand the
effects of
wind, waves,
rip currents
and tides.
2.2
2.3
•Ask students to identify dangers on the nearest beach that might be covered by water
during a high tide.
•Briefly explain how tides are formed. Explain the dangers of high and low tides.
•Explain how to escape from a rip current by swimming parallel to the shore and out of
the current.
•Explain how to identify a rip current. Ask students to point to a rip current on the
nearest beach.
•Explain that water from incoming waves can cause rip currents. Explain how rip currents
are formed and the dangers associated with them.
•Explain that wind causes waves, and explain the different wave types and their dangers.
Ask students to point to different types of wave at the nearest beach.
•Discuss the dangers of wind, particularly highlighting the danger of offshore winds with
light equipment such as inflatable objects.
•Explain what is meant by offshore and onshore winds.
•Explain what holes are and their associated dangers.
•Explain why changing water depth can be dangerous.
•Discuss the dangers in the context of the local beach environment.
30 minutes
15 minutes
30–40 minutes
•Discuss the different types of beach in the local area.
Understand the
different types
of beach.
2.1
•Explain the dangers of each beach type.
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
LIFEGUARD
Key points
2.3. Understand the effects of wind, waves, rip currents and tides.
2.2 Understand how the beach influences water depth.
2.1 Understand the different types of beach.
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 2: Beach Environment
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Instructor Manual |
83
84
| International Beach Lifeguard
Understand
what makes
up a patrol.
Understand
when a patrol
should be
conducted.
3.2
3.3
Understand how
and when to
use flags.
3.1
Key points
•Ask students to identify the resources available to their lifeguard service, including the
number of lifeguards and the equipment available.
•Explain what influences the structure of the patrol.
target audience.
•Ask the students to identify busy times of day on their beach and the activities that are
undertaken throughout the day. For each prevention activity get students to identify the
•Explain that when planning a lifeguard patrol it is important to know when people are
swimming and the activities they are undertaking.
•Discuss why the students put the flags where they did.
10 minutes
10–15 minutes
20 minutes
•Show the students the different types of flag and explain their use.
• Ask the students to set up a patrol zone on the beach using the flags.
Approximate
timings
3.5 Understand how to identify
a casualty.
LIFEGUARD
3.6 Understand how lifeguards communicate using
whistles and signals.
Teaching strategies
3.1 Understand how and when to use flags.
3.2 Understand when a patrol should be conducted.
3.3 Understand what makes up a patrol.
3.4 Understand how to scan the water.
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 3: Lifeguard Patrol
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Understand
how to scan
the water.
Understand
how to identify
a casualty.
Understand
how lifeguards
communicate
using whistles
and signals.
3.4
3.5
3.6
Key points
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
•Test the ability of the students to remember the meaning of each signal.
•Explain and demonstrate the different lifeguard hand signals.
•Explain when a whistle would be used and what the different combinations of whistle
blasts mean.
•Demonstrate the different types of casualty in the water. Get students to identify which
type of casualty is being demonstrated.
•Explain different types of casualty and how to identify them in the water.
•Test the ability of the students to remember the meaning of each signal.
•Explain and demonstrate the different lifeguard hand signals.
•Explain when a whistle would be used and what the different combinations of whistle
blasts mean.
•Understand how lifeguards communicate using whistles and signals.
•Demonstrate the different types of casualty in the water. Get students to identify which
type of casualty is being demonstrated.
•Explain different types of casualty and how to identify them in the water.
•Understand how to identify a casualty.
•Explain the importance of regular breaks and rotation of duties to reduce tiredness.
25 minutes
Multiple
sessions,
1 per day
30–40 minutes
20 minutes
•Explain what scanning is, why lifeguards should scan, and suggest scanning methods.
•Discuss ways to increase visibility, such as using a high chair or binoculars if available.
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Instructor Manual |
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| International Beach Lifeguard
40 minutes
(or split
into shorter
sessions)
Multiple
2–3-hour
sessions
•Discuss types of floating object in the local area and whether they would be suitable to
use to rescue a person.
•Explain the benefits of conducting a land-based rescue compared with conducting a more
dangerous swimming rescue.
Understand the
types of rescue
equipment and
their use.
Understand
the different
types of rescue
and when they
should be used.
4.2
4.3
•Demonstrate how sidestroke can be used to tow objects. Students can practise towing
using objects such as water containers.
•Explain and demonstrate sidestroke. Students should then practise sidestroke.
•Explain when you would use a swimming rescue. Discuss the dangers of conducting a
swimming rescue.
•Demonstrate each type of land-based rescue in water. Students should then practise
each rescue.
•Discuss when each type of rescue would be used and the equipment needed.
•Explain the different types of land-based rescue.
•Discuss the positives and negatives of each item.
20 minutes
•Explain the principles of Stop, Think, Act, Review and discuss how they could relate to
a rescue.
Understand the
principles of
Stop, Think,
Act, Review.
4.1
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
4.4 Understand how to remove a casualty from
the water.
4.2 Understand the types of rescue equipment
and their use.
Key points
4.3 Understand the different types of rescue,
and when they should be used.
LIFEGUARD
4.1 Understand the principles of Stop, Think,
Act, Review.
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 4: Rescue
Appendices
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
(continued)
Understand
how to remove
a casualty from
the water.
4.3
4.4
Key points
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
•Explain the importance of identifying a safe point of exit.
•Explain and demonstrate how to remove a person from the water.
•Practise rescues in a controlled environment before progressing to the real-life
environment.
•Explain different types of water-based rescues. Discuss the positives and negatives of each
and the rescue equipment necessary (if any).
•Explain and demonstrate different types of tow. Students can pair up and practise.
Teaching strategies
Multiple
1-hour
sessions
Approximate
timings
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Instructor Manual |
87
88
| International Beach Lifeguard
Understand the
principles of
first aid.
Understand
how to maintain
breathing
and circulation.
Understand how
to provide
immediate
treatment for
a variety
of medical
emergencies.
5.1
5.2
5.3
Key points
- nosebleed
- animal bite
- poison
- electrocution.
- wounds
- broken bones
- excessive exposure to sunlight –
heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- loss of fluid
- burns
- shock
•Explain and demonstrate how to provide treatment for the following medical conditions:
•Explain and demonstrate treatment for vomiting.
•Explain how to do CPR if someone is not breathing. A demonstration should be done on
an object that resembles a human chest (this could be achieved by creating a model out
of sand, or an empty plastic water container).
•Explain and demonstrate how to put someone in the recovery position if they are
unconscious and breathing. Students should then practise on each other.
•Demonstrate how to check for dangers, response, airway and breathing. Students should
then practise on each other.
•Explain the importance of maintaining breathing and circulation.
Two–three
1-hour sessions
Two–four
1-hour sessions
15–20 minutes
• Explain the principles of first aid.
• Explain the meaning of CPR.
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
5.3 Understand how to provide immediate treatment for a variety of medical emergencies.
5.2 Understand how to maintain breathing and circulation.
5.1 Understand the principles of first aid.
LIFEGUARD
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 5: First Aid
Appendices
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Understand why
things need to
be recorded.
Understand
what
needs to be
documented.
6.1
6.2
Key points
•Explain who the lifeguard should report information to.
•Explain what data should be collected and why.
•Get students to discuss what should be collected, and why it is important to know.
•Give examples of when accurate record keeping has led to positive outcomes.
20 minutes
20 minutes
•Explain why it is important to ensure accurate record keeping.
•Highlight the benefits of accurate record keeping for the lifeguard service.
Approximate
timings
Teaching strategies
6.2 Understand what needs to be documented.
6.1 Understand why things need to be recorded.
LIFEGUARD
Learning outcomes:
Lesson Plan 6: Record Keeping
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Instructor Manual |
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Rescue
Appendices
Notes
90
| International Beach Lifeguard
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
LIFEGUARD
Appendices
Notes
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Instructor Manual |
91
Rescue
Appendices
Notes
92
| International Beach Lifeguard
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Developed by IDRC-B and RNLI
Instructor Manual |
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94
| International Beach Lifeguard
For new and developing Lifeguard Services