What are the round things lifeguards use? A rescue buoy or rescue tube or torpedo buoy is a piece of lifesaving equipment used in water rescue. This flotation device can help support the victim's and rescuer's weight to make a rescue easier. It is an essential part of the equipment that must be carried by lifeguards.
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.
What does a lifeguard do?
Lifeguards are the unsung heroes who work relentlessly to protect lives at sea. Patrolling beaches for hours on end, keeping a sharp eye on every tourist, and risking their own lives day-in and day-out to save others is not an easy job.
What is the 10/20 protection standard for lifeguards?
The 10/20 Protection Standard is a technique taught to lifeguards on many courses including the UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and the Ellis & Associates International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP), which created the concept.
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 the lifeguard circle thing called?
A ring buoy is a buoyant ring with 40 to 50 feet of lightweight line attached to it. The ring is thrown by a rescuer to someone who needs help in the water. A reaching pole is a pole 10 to 15 feet long that is extended into the water to help someone in trouble.
What are the things called that lifeguards use?
A rescue buoy or rescue tube or torpedo buoy is a piece of lifesaving equipment used in water rescue. This flotation device can help support the victim's and rescuer's weight to make a rescue easier.
How do you use a lifeguard buoy?
1:233:55New Lifeguard Rescue Tube Explained! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd reach the tube right out to them and the grip right here on the end of the tube is very easy andMoreAnd reach the tube right out to them and the grip right here on the end of the tube is very easy and very intuitive to grab even in a panic situation as you can see it's on both sides. Symmetrically.
What do lifeguards use to save lives?
Lifeguards are trained for advanced first aid, CPR and the use of AED (automated external defibrillator), open water life saving techniques; and aquatic and rescue procedures. Excellent swimming skills and physical endurance are some of the obvious skills one requires as a lifeguard.
What equipment should lifeguards carry?
PPE includes gloves, resuscitation masks, gowns, masks, shields and protective eyewear. victims. Rescue boards may be used during rescues to quickly paddle out long distances or as a patrolling device for lifeguards.
What is are the equipment used in water rescue?
Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs for short, are one of the most critical tools used by lifeguards. They are used to provide emergency heart restarts to victims who have suffered a cardiac arrest during swimming and need rescue.
Why does a lifeguard carry a fanny pack?
One of the highlights of the lifeguard fanny pack is that it is waterproof. That means that it will be the perfect place for anything you do not want to get wet. This can include you diving in the water and having your personal possessions stay safe.
What equipment is used to rescue a drowning victim in the pool?
Also known as a shepherd's crook, a life hook can be used to rescue a distressed person near the edge of a swimming pool. Life hooks are made of flexible yet firm fiberglass shaped in a curved loop and are attached to aluminum or fiberglass telescopic poles.
How do you hold a lifeguard tube?
Lifeguards should hold the rescue tube across their thighs when sitting in a lifeguard chair or across the stomach when they're standing at the edge of a pool, holding the line so it doesn't get caught.
What equipment do you need to swim?
Swimming looks like a cheap sport, and when performed with the bare minimum of equipment, it totally is. All you absolutely need are three things: Goggles, cap, and a suit.
How do you swim with a pull buoy?
0:446:01How To Swim With A Pull Buoy | Improve Your Freestyle SwimmingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you do in this instance is that your place are the largest part lowest in the water. So ifMoreSo what you do in this instance is that your place are the largest part lowest in the water. So if we're doing front crawl for instance run off from we want that largest part down at the bottom.
How do you throw a buoy?
0:141:17Search & Rescue: How to Properly Throw a Ring Buoy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo go ahead and pull them back. In. Perfect so this is really good for active drowning. So ifMoreSo go ahead and pull them back. In. Perfect so this is really good for active drowning. So if someone's unconscious obviously they're not going to be able to grab a ring buoy.
What is a ring buoy used for?
Description. The lifebuoy is usually ring- or horseshoe-shaped personal flotation device with a connecting line allowing the casualty to be pulled to the rescuer in a boat. They are carried by ships and are also located beside bodies of water that have the depth or potential to drown someone.
How many pounds can a rescue tube hold?
This Cut-a-Way Rescue Tube is equal to 51 Lbs of Buoyancy.
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.
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 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 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 is an AED in lifeguards?
Another essential piece of lifeguard safety equipment, an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be used to care for victims who are unconscious and are not breathing. AED units deliver an electrical shock to the victim’s chest to provide an emergency heart restart.
Why do lifeguards wear red?
Safety yellow aids in promoting a team environment because lifeguards easily find their closest teammate for support when they need it most. Red is, and will probably always be, the stereotype for what people think lifeguards wear.
What are lifeguard floats called?
Rescue tubes often have the words "Guard" or "Lifeguard" printed on them. The rescue buoy is a hollow plastic rescue flotation device. It is referred to also as a Torpedo Buoy, because of its shape; and is often called a "Torp" for short by lifeguards.
What do lifeguards wear on their feet?
Flip-flop sandals are a prudent choice among lifeguards for practicality and ease of removal. Water socks offer additional slip-resistance and provide added toe protection from debris and litter, a bonus if your lifeguard job is outdoors. Avoid tennis shoes, which may be functional but offer no waterproofing.
How tall are lifeguard chairs?
The PLS 204 Standard is a 6' tall lifeguard chair, allowing lifeguards to easily scan large pool areas in a short amount of time. This easily movable unit allows you the flexibility of moving your lifeguard stations as needed. The seat swivels 45-degrees for focused scanning. Specifications: Height: 6'.
How do you use a lifeguard rescue can?
The lifeguard must then swim towards the distressed swimmer quickly from the front with the rescue can above and in front. Once within reach, the lifeguard should reassure the swimmer and instruct them to hold on tight to the rescue can via the handles at the sides or the rear and then float them back to the surface.
How do you use a torpedo buoy?
If using a torpedo buoy we recommend that you throw the buoy into the pool as you dive to ensure it does not get caught or snag on the edge of the pool. Always remember never dive into water that is less than 1.5meters deep and obey no diving signs.
What is a life ring called?
A lifebuoy, ring buoy, lifering, lifesaver, life donut, life preserver or lifebelt, also known as a "kisby ring" or "perry buoy", is a life saving buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water, to provide buoyancy and prevent drowning.
What should a lifeguard wear to protect themselves?
Lifeguards should protect themselves at all times when performing first aid. When performing first aid the lifeguard should wear latex gloves to protect your hands from coming into contact with the victim's blood.
What are the duties of a lifeguard?
A lifeguard's key duties (usually as part of a team, but in some places, lifeguards may be required to work on their own) are to: Enforce rules to prevent problems/injuries.
What is the most challenging environment to be a lifeguard?
Ocean beach – Lifeguards are commonly associated with beaches on the seashore, and this is often considered the most challenging environment to lifeguard due to the influence of external factors such as weather, currents, tides and waves.
What do lifeguards look for in a drowning victim?
Lifeguards look for swimmers in various categories and conditions: Passive drowning victims are inactive in the water, submerged or otherwise. When a lifeguard sees this kind of swimmer they perform an emergency rescue. Active drowning victims are taking in water while attempting to stay at the surface.
What is the primary duty of a lifeguard?
Lifeguards have a primary duty to supervise their responsibility area. To achieve this the lifeguard needs an optimum position to observe the public. This is often best achieved from an elevated position, which can be a chair, platform or the roof of a vehicle. This allows them maximum visibility over their supervised area and may facilitate communication between them and their team.
What is a lifeguard's responsibility?
Picture of a lifeguard warning sign taken in Santa Barbara, California, in 2011. A lifeguard is responsible for the safety of people in an area of water, and usually a defined area immediately surrounding or adjacent to it, such as a beach next to an ocean or lake. The priority is to ensure no harm comes to users ...
How many hands do you need to use for CPR?
A lifeguard performing CPR on an adult should use two hands on the chest, with the ring finger of the bottom hand lined up with the nipple. The chest compressions should consist of thirty compressions to 2 rescue breaths with a depth of at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches.
What skills do lifeguards need?
The skills discussed below are suggested as water-related standards that all lifeguards should master. Water Rescue Competencies: A physical skill set (PSS) is necessary for a lifeguard to be able to rescue a struggling swimmer. Being able to detect the emergency is only the first step in preventing an injury or death.
Why do lifeguards need to protect the spine?
When a spinal injury is possible, due to accidents related to diving, water skiing, surfing, or other activities, lifeguards need to modify their rescue strategies to protect the spine. At the same time, a lifeguard’s energy can be wasted on protecting a victim’s spine when a spinal injury is unlikely.
What is the role of lifeguards in drowning?
The ability to quickly open the victim’s airway and provide rescue breathing is critical to preventing a drowning fatality. Lifeguards must be trained and able to open an airway in the water with or without the use of a flotation aid and once the victim is on land .
What is the PSS in a lifeguard?
The PSS suggested by the Coalition is a baseline list of things that the average lifeguard should be able to do as part of a timed water rescue competency test (WRCT). It includes: Entering the water from a lifeguard watch tower of the side of the pool. Quickly reaching the victim.
What is lifeguard certification?
Lifeguard certification is a process designed to prepare a person to work in a situation when water related accidents are possible. The skills and standards listed in this article describe the foundation skills that certification depends on and the types of things a lifeguard will need to know how to do once employed.
Do lifeguards have to use suction devices?
Some lifeguard certification firms may train life guards in the use of manual and electric suction devices to clear the victim’s throat, but this is not a necessary component of the certification process. A lifeguard should know how to prepare a victim for transportation to a hospital in a manner that protects the airway.
Can lifeguards use oxygen?
Supplemental Oxygen: Lifeguards can use supplemental oxygen during a rescue, as long as its use does not slow the pace of the rescue. Immediate attention needs to be given to establishing an airway and rescue breathing.
Other names
Other names for "lifebuoy" include safety wheel, lifebelt, water wheely, ring buoy, lifering, lifesaver, life donut, life preserver, Perry buoy, or Kisbee ring. The "Kisbee ring", sometimes "kisby ring" or "kisbie ring", is thought to be named after inventor Thomas Kisbee (1792–1877), a British naval officer.
Description
The lifebuoy is usually ring- or horseshoe-shaped personal flotation device with a connecting line allowing the casualty to be pulled to the rescuer in a boat. They are carried by ships and are also located beside bodies of water that have the depth or potential to drown someone.

Overview
Responsibilities
Duties
Training
A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and CPR/AED first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on requirements of their particular venue. In some areas, lifeguards are part of the emergency services system to incidents and in some communities, lifeguards may functio…
Water entries
A lifeguard is responsible for the safety of people in an area of water, and usually a defined area immediately surrounding or adjacent to it, such as a beach next to an ocean or lake. The priority is to ensure no harm comes to users of the area for which they are responsible. Lifeguards often take on this responsibility upon employment, although they can also be volunteers.
The conditions resulting in drowning are summarized by the 'drowning chain' in which each link c…
Identifying types of swimmer
A lifeguard's key duties (usually as part of a team, but in some places, lifeguards may be required to work on their own) are to:
• Enforce rules to prevent problems/injuries
• Maintain concentrated observation of the duty area and its users in to anticipate problems (this will enable the lifeguard to intervene with one of the drowning prevention measures) and to identify an emergency quickly.
Locations
Lifeguards are trained in a variety of lifesaving skills. There are minor differences between these skills depending on the organization that trained the lifeguard. The skills vary depending on the facility in which they will be put to use, such as the depth of the pool, a water-park facility, or a beach.
Some of the various out-of-water skills taught are:
Positioning
There are four main types of water entries slide-in entry, compact jump, stride jump, and run-and-swim entry.
• Slide-in is the slowest of the four entries. This technique is used when a victim has a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury.
• Stride jump should only be used in water depth of five feet or more and the lifeguard should be no higher than three feet above ground.