Ring buoys are one of the most frequently used safety equipment by lifeguards, for deep-sea rescues. Lifebuoys are shaped like a donut and can be placed around the victim’s waist or under the armpits to help them float. They are usually made of HDPE shells filled with dense foam and coloured bright orange to be easily visible at a distance.
What equipment do Lifeguards use to save lives?
Lifeguards use a wide variety of equipment while saving lives. Different kinds of accessories have to be used depending on the situation and the stage of rescue. Here we list some of the most common devices used by lifeguards. A rescue tube is made up of high-density foam and used in multiple ways to protect the victim from drowning.
How do Lifeguards use rescue tubes?
A rescue tube is made up of high-density foam and used in multiple ways to protect the victim from drowning. The lifeguard swims out with the rescue tube dragging behind him/her till he reaches the person in distress. The victim can then rest on the rescue tube and slowly start swimming towards the shore, aided by the lifeguard.
What is a lifeguard rescue board?
Resembling a large surfboard, rescue boards allow lifeguards to perform open water rescues safely and effectively. Rescue boards are made of foam, plastic or fiberglass with a soft top for comfortable use. Lightweight and durable, rescue boards are buoyant enough to support a lifeguard and one or more victims.
How do lifeguards rescue victims from the ocean?
Lifeguards grab the victim using the hook and pull them to the deck gradually. Ring buoys are one of the most frequently used safety equipment by lifeguards, for deep-sea rescues. Lifebuoys are shaped like a donut and can be placed around the victim’s waist or under the armpits to help them float.
What are the things that lifeguards carry?
Lifeguarding Equipment Get the safety equipment you need to protect those in, on and around the water. Choose from a variety of lifeguard equipment, training supplies and rescue gear, including instructor kits, BVMs, rescue tubes, whistles, lifeguard hip packs, back boards, CPR masks, and more.
What type of equipment must a lifeguard learn to use?
As a lifeguard, you must always wear or carry certain equipment so that it is instantly available in an emergency, including a rescue tube, resuscitation mask and gloves. You also must have a whistle to signal an emergency.
What is the common floating device used in water safety?
Class II PFDs, also known as near-shore buoyant vests, are the most common floatation devices. Also referred to as “classic” life jackets, these are the type most people are familiar with as they're found on most recreational watercraft.
What protective equipment is used in swimming?
Goggles. Swimming with leaky, uncomfortable, or foggy goggles can be tough on your eyes. Be sure to get a pair of competition or practice goggles that are comfortable and fit your face. Some swimmers like to have different goggles for practices and competitions.
What rescue equipment do lifeguards use when on patrol?
They are highly skilled in the use of a range of first aid and rescue equipment including: rescue boards, rescue tubes, neck braces, spinal boards, defibrillators, trauma paks, analgesic gas radio communication, quad cycles, 4WD response vehicles, lifeguard powercraft with rescue sleds, water safety signage and ...
What does a lifeguard wear?
Essential Lifeguard Clothing In many cases, swimwear is red-colored and may be printed with a white cross or the word “Lifeguard.” This makes you easy to spot in the event of a water emergency. In cooler weather, they may wear a wetsuit, or a lifeguard shirt and boardshorts over their swimsuits.
What is the importance of rescue equipments in swimming?
They are used to help lifeguards swim while they are bringing a rescued swimmer to the edge of the pool. Rescue tubes are especially important in rough waters such as the ocean because swimming and rescuing an injured swimmer at the same time is a challenging task.
What equipment will you use for an active drowning victim at the lake?
Take any tools you need, such as a flotation device, life vest, or pole. Do not attempt a rescue unless you are a strong swimmer and know what you are doing. If you are a weak swimmer, you can put both yourself and the drowning victim in danger.
What is the best equipment for a lifeguard?
10. Swim Fins . Another useful piece of lifeguard equipment for long distance waterfront rescues, swim fins help propel lifeguards through the water to reach victims more quickly and reduce fatigue. Swim fins, also known as swim flippers, are made of flexible rubber and available in different sizes of blades.
How do lifeguards use rescue tubes?
Each lifeguard should have their own rescue tube that can be placed across their lap while sitting or held across their stomach while standing with the towline strap around their shoulders. When swimming to a victim, a rescue tube can be held under the lifeguard’s arms or torso to perform a modified breaststroke or front crawl. For longer distance rescues, the lifeguard can swim with the tube trailing behind them to reach the distressed person more quickly.
What is a resuscitation mask?
Also known as pocket masks, resuscitation masks are small transparent masks that allow a lifeguard to breathe air into a victim without coming in direct contact with their mouth. Pocket masks create a tight seal over the victim’s mouth and nose to provide air to the person quickly and effectively.
What is a rescue board?
Resembling a large surfboard, rescue boards allow lifeguards to perform open water rescues safely and effectively. Rescue boards are made of foam, plastic or fiberglass with a soft top for comfortable use. Lightweight and durable, rescue boards are buoyant enough to support a lifeguard and one or more victims.
What is a lifeguard tube?
This iconic piece of lifeguard safety equipment is essential for basic water rescues in pools, waterparks, lakes, ponds and other non-surf environments. Rescue tubes measure about 40 to 50 inches in length with tapered ends and a heavy-duty towline that allows lifeguards to pull them easily through the water. Made of dense foam with a durable vinyl exterior, rescue tubes are waterproof and designed to resist tears and punctures.
What is a life vest?
Life Vests. Life vests, or life jackets, are a familiar yet essential piece of lifeguard safety equipment. Life vests are made of highly buoyant foam with a polyester or nylon waterproof exterior. Lifeguards can provide life vests to children and inexperienced swimmers to help them stay afloat in the water.
Why do lifeguards wear gloves?
Lifeguards use single-use gloves to protect them from coming in contact with blood and other body fluids when assisting victims on land. Disposable gloves should be made of a non-latex material, such as nitrile, so they do not cause an allergic reaction, especially for persons who may be unable to communicate about an allergy at the time when care is being administered. Gloves should always be kept on hand in a lifeguard hip pack for easy access.
What do lifeguards need?
A towel is an accessory every lifeguard should have on-hand. Even if you never have to jump into the water, you’re bound to be splashed or sprinkled with rain from time to time. You’ll need a quick-drying, microfiber, full-size towel. This can help you stay dry for comfort and safe mobility.
What is the best suit for a lifeguard?
Women’s lifeguard suits allow for some variety. In many cases, the best option is a simple cutout or racerback one-piece suit. This offers full mobility and security, as well as sun protection on your stomach. You can be sure it’ll stay on tight no matter what you need to do.
Why are polarized guards important?
They’ll protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays and ensure a full range of visibility. Squinting against the sun might cause you to miss something important, so sunglasses are essential for safety.
Why do lifeguards need whistles?
You might need to alert swimmers of an unsafe situation or stop dangerous behavior. As a lifeguard, your primary goal is to keep everyone safe — you can only do so with a loud, reliable whistle. A weak, quiet or broken whistle could spell danger for swimmers.
What is included in a lifeguard's hip pack?
This hip pack includes an oxygen inlet face mask, a pair of nitrile gloves, a wipe and an instruction packet. You might add other first-aid materials to your hip pack, too, including different size bandages and adhesive tape.
What to wear when you are a lifeguard?
While off duty, you might want to throw on a pair of guard-labeled drawstring sweatpants. These are perfect for a cool morning or between duty rotations. If you work in an air-conditioned indoor facility, you’ll be glad to have some extra warmth. Along with your sweatpants, you might want to layer with a warm, pullover hooded sweatshirt. With “guard” wording on your lifeguard outfit, you’ll still be recognizable as someone who can help in an emergency.
Do you need a swim trunk for a lifeguard?
As a male lifeguard, you may only need adjustable swim trunks with an elastic waistband. However, you might decide to pair your trunks with a short or long sleeve crew neck rashguard. This will offer some sun protection as well as warmth on cooler days. It’s quick-drying and flexible, so you don’t need to take it off before a rescue. You can print your logo onto it as well to help you stand out from the crowd.
What is a lifebuoy?
For other uses, see Lifebuoy (disambiguation). A lifebuoy is a life-saving buoy designed to be thrown to a person in water, to provide buoyancy and prevent drowning. Some modern lifebuoys are fitted with one or more seawater-activated lights, to aid rescue at night.
Why are lifebuoys unsuitable for swimming pools?
The UK Royal Life Saving Society considers lifebuoys unsuitable for use in swimming pools because throwing one into a busy pool could injure the casualty or other pool users. In these locations, lifebuoys have been superseded by devices such as the torpedo buoy.
