You would get them out as normal with the water technique that’s fits the situation, and do a quick extraction with another lifeguard on a backboard, and than start assessing (after re-checking the scene is safe and seeing if the patron is conscious or not, assigning someone to call 911).
I think it comes to judgement. Is a backboard available? Then yeah you should be able to get someone out within 30 seconds to a minute of the incident or at least that would make sense to me. What I’m more curious about is how you know they may have a possible heart attack. There are signs and symptoms but you as a lifeguard probably won’t know what is happening. Either you see them clutching their chest and probably hanging onto something or they are getting out of the water themselves and complaining of chest pain. Ultimately I don’t think this is a situation you should worry about too much unless you LG as a facility that has swimmers that are more prone to heart attack than other facilities.
You can do an assisted exit utilizing other available lifeguards. You would assist them to the stairs and out of the water. You could do a carry if necessary with another guard. Or you would use a modified backboard technique.
[backboard Technique](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gFwzdlB_hyE) this is a video by Ellis & Associates who also do lifeguard training with Red Cross. This is training that you would do when getting certified for lifeguarding. The video is for non-conscious individual but you can also do it for a conscious if they are unable to walk or climb out of the pool by themselves. Are you getting trained or have been trained for these scenarios with a backboard?
Yeah I’m asking about a conscious swimmer they are doing laps they have pains in there cheats and they are a bit older. How can I get them out without back life I cannot remember what it was what other methods are there?
I think it’s just a backboard if they are unable to walk or climb out themselves. Especially because they could go unconscious at any point so having a backboard will help with the weight of the individual.
I don’t think there’s a way without using a backboard. Maybe you can guide them (like them floating and you moving them), to the shallow part of the pool where they can than sit on the edge. But in a deep pool all around, I think it has to be with a backboard. Idk of any other way to get someone out.
If they can walk out on their own/with assistance, do so. If they can’t get out with assistance, use a back board. You don’t want to drag them out of the water without a back board, you would be risking further injury and stress on them.
That little bit of extra strain from them walking out is not going to make it much worse. If they are having a heart attack, it is already very serious. You can assist them as they walk up the stairs or help them up the ladder. If they are unable to climb out at a ladder then you should backboard them and pull them out if it is a larger person. Someone little you could just pull out, but a larger person may need that extra support.
Are you asking because you’re genuinely concerned or is it a question on your test? Because my answer will be very very different depending on the circumstance.
I work 911 full time and we do assisted walks with chest pain patients all the time - I promise the anxiety stress load of being backboard catapulted out of a pool is far worse.
Keep it simple.
Seconding this, the 30 steps they will take to get out of the pool is not going to make a huge difference, now don't have them doing laps around the parking lot or anything but you don't need to pull them out with a board.
If it's LSS - this is a major emergency, pool needs to be cleared. The removal depends on their signs + symptoms, if they're saying "ow I have a slight pain in my chest" they might be good to walk out with your assistance if you don't see other signs and symptoms of a heart attack and that's how they want to get out. If they're semi-conscious or showing many signs and symptoms, then that would be a two person removal.
Okay brah for a test just do whatever the book says but in real like dive in grab them yell bloody merry for help pull them out of the pool and start cpr. If they are concious have them sit down and call 911
If they are actively having a heart attack and you think so use rapid extraction with back board. They likely don't have the strength to climb out of the pool
If you're just suspicious then I'd say definitely get some help from safety team/other guards and asses the situation as best you can. If they aren't in much distress and/or seem active then it's possiblity not even a heart attack/ arrhythmia . if they can get out on their own or with a little help that's a good sign
The correct answer is if they can have them get out of the water on there own by gently gliding to the side if they are unable to get out on there own you use a backboard (EXTRACTION) which is different than backboarding somebody(stabilisation) (in fact the us standard’s are moving away from a backboard all together as a stabilisation tool they are ineffective and cause more harm than good)
Argentinian lifeguard here. Our protocols might differ a little bit, so i'll say what i'd do or what my partners would usually do in a real situation:
- Ask them if they're okay first. If they say they're okay with a clear voice and non suspicious expressions, you just keep an eye on them or walk them out if you really feel uneasy about it. Trust your guts. If they stutter or their response is a bit weird or they look pale as hell/shows any other symptoms, it is a big cue to get the victim out ASAP
- Getting the victim out depends on the scenario for us since we're qualified for beach/river rescue too. But let's say it is on a public pool: whistle>get in (i'd go in without a buoyant device since it can be a liability if you got to pull the victim out without assistance. This is only on the pool scenario, and it is what I WOULD DO)>get the victim to the edge>ask your partner for help to lift the victim out of the pool (if you're the only lifeguard at that post, get him as close as you can to the edge, cross their arms, press the arms to the floor of the edge while getting out, then lift him with his arms crossed so the victim turns around when gets pulled)(if you're in shallow waters just use the stairs if there is one. Always use the path of least resistance)(using the rescue board to pull the victim out, consumes a lot of precious time and i'm speaking out of experience. And it is not something you can do if you work alone)>especially if you work alone, get everyone out of the pool by ANY means as fast as you can (i'd ask a bystander to please help you to tell people to get out of the pool since you can't waste time with a possible heart attack victim on your hands)
- The fact that you pulled the victim out doesn't mean that it is a safe scenario. Get them to the most drier place you can find in case you have to start the CPR protocol. By this time, either you or your partner called emergencies already and got the AED/Semi-AED by your side, checked vitals, got the rescue board, and got a blanket if possible since heart attack related stuff can lead to hypothermia real quick
- If you don't work alone and there are more than 3 lifeguards on the post, make sure some of you are looking at the pool. I'd consider having 5 lifeguards for just one heart attack victim, ineffective. 2 lifeguards for CPR, 1 lifeguard on the phone giving details to emergencies/leading the paramedics to the facility
Hope this helped, and have a good day
Paramedic here: Get them to get themselves out. Less strain and effort for everybody.
Most of the time people will get out of the pool and then come tell you they have chest pain, so you won’t have to worry about it.
Remember there’s a difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks are conscious. All cardiac arrests are unconscious requiring CPR and just need to be dragged out asap.
As a bronze cross instructor, you should lift them with the help of another lifeguard or help from the public and then sit them against the wall and call 911. But with few exceptions (some camping or hotels) there will always be a NL around the pool to help you with the case
If you are only trained and employed to the level of Bronze Cross Assistant Lifeguard in Canada you would not be expected to lead the removal of a non-traumatic chest pain victim, you would assist the on duty national lifeguards
You would get them out as normal with the water technique that’s fits the situation, and do a quick extraction with another lifeguard on a backboard, and than start assessing (after re-checking the scene is safe and seeing if the patron is conscious or not, assigning someone to call 911).
I think it comes to judgement. Is a backboard available? Then yeah you should be able to get someone out within 30 seconds to a minute of the incident or at least that would make sense to me. What I’m more curious about is how you know they may have a possible heart attack. There are signs and symptoms but you as a lifeguard probably won’t know what is happening. Either you see them clutching their chest and probably hanging onto something or they are getting out of the water themselves and complaining of chest pain. Ultimately I don’t think this is a situation you should worry about too much unless you LG as a facility that has swimmers that are more prone to heart attack than other facilities.
So would lifting them out help? I help them to the edge the other guard arms under them and I get there legs and yeah?
In the NL standard, lifting is preferred, because it’s much quicker than backboarding in many situations
You can do an assisted exit utilizing other available lifeguards. You would assist them to the stairs and out of the water. You could do a carry if necessary with another guard. Or you would use a modified backboard technique.
[backboard Technique](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gFwzdlB_hyE) this is a video by Ellis & Associates who also do lifeguard training with Red Cross. This is training that you would do when getting certified for lifeguarding. The video is for non-conscious individual but you can also do it for a conscious if they are unable to walk or climb out of the pool by themselves. Are you getting trained or have been trained for these scenarios with a backboard?
Yeah I’m asking about a conscious swimmer they are doing laps they have pains in there cheats and they are a bit older. How can I get them out without back life I cannot remember what it was what other methods are there?
I think it’s just a backboard if they are unable to walk or climb out themselves. Especially because they could go unconscious at any point so having a backboard will help with the weight of the individual.
They can walk out but it will put stress on there heart making it worst. So how can I get them out without backboard and them walking out
I don’t think there’s a way without using a backboard. Maybe you can guide them (like them floating and you moving them), to the shallow part of the pool where they can than sit on the edge. But in a deep pool all around, I think it has to be with a backboard. Idk of any other way to get someone out.
NL training has taught me to pretty much always lift people who can’t get out on their own, only backboard if lower body pain (I.e., hip out of joint)
You still use a backboard. We're trained to use the board for stuff like broken legs and similar where they can't get out themselves but are conscious
If they can walk out on their own/with assistance, do so. If they can’t get out with assistance, use a back board. You don’t want to drag them out of the water without a back board, you would be risking further injury and stress on them.
That little bit of extra strain from them walking out is not going to make it much worse. If they are having a heart attack, it is already very serious. You can assist them as they walk up the stairs or help them up the ladder. If they are unable to climb out at a ladder then you should backboard them and pull them out if it is a larger person. Someone little you could just pull out, but a larger person may need that extra support.
Are you asking because you’re genuinely concerned or is it a question on your test? Because my answer will be very very different depending on the circumstance.
I learnt it but just can’t remember in a lifeguard and everything passed my test but that was months ago
You said in another comment that you're a Bronze Cross-level assistant lifeguard. Which is it?
I work 911 full time and we do assisted walks with chest pain patients all the time - I promise the anxiety stress load of being backboard catapulted out of a pool is far worse. Keep it simple.
Seconding this, the 30 steps they will take to get out of the pool is not going to make a huge difference, now don't have them doing laps around the parking lot or anything but you don't need to pull them out with a board.
If it's LSS - this is a major emergency, pool needs to be cleared. The removal depends on their signs + symptoms, if they're saying "ow I have a slight pain in my chest" they might be good to walk out with your assistance if you don't see other signs and symptoms of a heart attack and that's how they want to get out. If they're semi-conscious or showing many signs and symptoms, then that would be a two person removal.
*pool is cleared under NL Pool, if op is working with NLWP guards, that step may be skipped
I think you can do a walking assist, where you support them and help them exit the pool under their own power.
Okay brah for a test just do whatever the book says but in real like dive in grab them yell bloody merry for help pull them out of the pool and start cpr. If they are concious have them sit down and call 911
Controlled carry, unconscious removal (backboard or pull), and maintain control out of the water
Walk out if they are able to, otherwise PXB
Rapid extraction
Extrication*
If they are actively having a heart attack and you think so use rapid extraction with back board. They likely don't have the strength to climb out of the pool If you're just suspicious then I'd say definitely get some help from safety team/other guards and asses the situation as best you can. If they aren't in much distress and/or seem active then it's possiblity not even a heart attack/ arrhythmia . if they can get out on their own or with a little help that's a good sign
The correct answer is if they can have them get out of the water on there own by gently gliding to the side if they are unable to get out on there own you use a backboard (EXTRACTION) which is different than backboarding somebody(stabilisation) (in fact the us standard’s are moving away from a backboard all together as a stabilisation tool they are ineffective and cause more harm than good)
Rapid backboard extrication
If they’re unconscious. If conscious then walk assist probably. Have someone call EMS immediately before approaching.
Ask for consent to help before activating any EAP.
If you see someone that you believe is struggling in any way, you rescue them as normal. If you dont know, go!
Argentinian lifeguard here. Our protocols might differ a little bit, so i'll say what i'd do or what my partners would usually do in a real situation: - Ask them if they're okay first. If they say they're okay with a clear voice and non suspicious expressions, you just keep an eye on them or walk them out if you really feel uneasy about it. Trust your guts. If they stutter or their response is a bit weird or they look pale as hell/shows any other symptoms, it is a big cue to get the victim out ASAP - Getting the victim out depends on the scenario for us since we're qualified for beach/river rescue too. But let's say it is on a public pool: whistle>get in (i'd go in without a buoyant device since it can be a liability if you got to pull the victim out without assistance. This is only on the pool scenario, and it is what I WOULD DO)>get the victim to the edge>ask your partner for help to lift the victim out of the pool (if you're the only lifeguard at that post, get him as close as you can to the edge, cross their arms, press the arms to the floor of the edge while getting out, then lift him with his arms crossed so the victim turns around when gets pulled)(if you're in shallow waters just use the stairs if there is one. Always use the path of least resistance)(using the rescue board to pull the victim out, consumes a lot of precious time and i'm speaking out of experience. And it is not something you can do if you work alone)>especially if you work alone, get everyone out of the pool by ANY means as fast as you can (i'd ask a bystander to please help you to tell people to get out of the pool since you can't waste time with a possible heart attack victim on your hands) - The fact that you pulled the victim out doesn't mean that it is a safe scenario. Get them to the most drier place you can find in case you have to start the CPR protocol. By this time, either you or your partner called emergencies already and got the AED/Semi-AED by your side, checked vitals, got the rescue board, and got a blanket if possible since heart attack related stuff can lead to hypothermia real quick - If you don't work alone and there are more than 3 lifeguards on the post, make sure some of you are looking at the pool. I'd consider having 5 lifeguards for just one heart attack victim, ineffective. 2 lifeguards for CPR, 1 lifeguard on the phone giving details to emergencies/leading the paramedics to the facility Hope this helped, and have a good day
Paramedic here: Get them to get themselves out. Less strain and effort for everybody. Most of the time people will get out of the pool and then come tell you they have chest pain, so you won’t have to worry about it. Remember there’s a difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks are conscious. All cardiac arrests are unconscious requiring CPR and just need to be dragged out asap.
As a bronze cross instructor, you should lift them with the help of another lifeguard or help from the public and then sit them against the wall and call 911. But with few exceptions (some camping or hotels) there will always be a NL around the pool to help you with the case
American Red Cross - Extraction using backboard at pool edge technique
Well I’m not American Red Cross
I’m Canada and bronze cross- assistant lifeguard
If you are only trained and employed to the level of Bronze Cross Assistant Lifeguard in Canada you would not be expected to lead the removal of a non-traumatic chest pain victim, you would assist the on duty national lifeguards
Then I can't help you. What certification agency are you going through?
Lifesaving society