Swimming strokes
What are the four competitive swimming strokes?
Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
What is sculling?
Sculling is a back-and-forth motion with your hands, like you're drawing a figure eight. Your elbows should stay relaxed, and you should have minimal shoulder movement.
Identify 3 water environments
- Beach
- Pool
- River
What does DRSABCD stand for?
Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator
What does CPR stand for?
CardioPulmonary Resuscitation
What is the general rule for hand placement in all swimming strokes?
Fingers should remain relatively close together to maximise propulsion.
What two techniques help conserve energy in sidestroke?
A scissor kick for propulsion and an alternating arm stroke for a relaxed movement.
How can you identify a rip at the beach?
A rip current may appear as a darker, calm patch with fewer breaking waves. You may also so swirling sandy patches, or rushing currents.
What is the compression to breath ratio and the depth amount used in CPR?
30:2, 1/3 depth of the chest
What is the recovery position and how does it look?
The recovery position is a safe, stable side-lying position used for an unconscious but breathing person to keep their airway open and prevent choking.
Roll them onto their side:
Name two survival strokes and their purpose.
Sidestroke and survival backstroke; they conserve energy and are useful in rescue situations.
What are some key elements of survival swimming?
Making a survival plan, using buoyant objects, keeping warm, swimming with slow strokes, and signalling for help.
What is the safest way to escape a rip?
Stay calm, float if needed, and swim parallel to the shore until out of the current before swimming back to land.
Describe how to use a defibrillator and where the pads need to be positioned.
- Open it, turn it on.
- Listen to voice prompts.
- Cut the bra off, or shave the chest if needed for males.
- Attach the pads in a seatbelt format. Top right of the patient and bottom left.
- Continue to do CPR whilst getting this ready.
Why should you avoid diving into unknown waters, and what are the potential risks?
Describe the body position in freestyle.
The body is streamlined and horizontal, with a slight body roll during strokes.
What is the safest rescue method when a swimmer is in distress near the edge?
What is an important factor in a throw rescue?
A reach rescue using an extended object like a pool noodle or towel.
The thrown object should land beyond and slightly to the side of the swimmer.
What safety precautions should be taken when performing a rescue in a fast-moving river?
How can you treat hypothermia in someone rescued from cold water?
What are the four principles used in a rescue?
Awareness, Assessment, Action, Aftercare
Why is a streamlined body position important in swimming?
It reduces resistance and increases speed by keeping the body horizontal and close to the water’s surface.
Describe the 4 types of rescues.
Tow- The rescuer swims to the victim to provide direct assistance.
Wade- The rescuer enters shallow water to reach the victim while maintaining stability.
Throw- Used when the victim is too far to be reached but can grab onto a floating object.
Reach- Used when the victim is close enough to be reached without the rescuer entering the water.
Identify as many items which can be used as rescue devices (each team can come up with a list, whoever has the most wins. The team who chose the question gets to go first).
1. **Rescue Can (Torpedo Buoy)** – A hard plastic buoy used by lifeguards.
2. **Rescue Sled** – A floating sled to transport victims.
3. **Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB)** – A small motorized boat used by lifesavers.
4. **Rescue Kayak** – A lightweight kayak used for water rescues.
5. **Inflatable Raft** – Used in swift water rescues or floods.
6. **Floating Mat (Rescue Platform)** – A large buoyant mat for multiple victims.
7. **Rescue Rope with Buoy** – A floating rope with a buoy attached for reaching victims.
8. **Shepherd’s Crook (Rescue Hook)** – A long pole with a hook to pull someone in.
9. **Life Sling** – A throwable device with a looped rope for boat rescues.
10. **Floating Rescue Disc** – A compact disc-shaped flotation device with a rope.
11. **Inflatable Life Belt** – A compact belt that inflates on activation.
12. **Survival Suit (Immersion Suit)** – A waterproof, insulated suit for cold-water survival.
13. **Rescue Swimmer’s Harness** – A harness worn by rescue swimmers.
14. **Underwater Scooter (Diver Propulsion Vehicle)** – Helps lifeguards reach victims faster.
15. **Rescue Drone with Flotation Device** – A drone that drops a flotation device to a victim.
What is the first priority when assessing multiple drowning casualties? Explain how you would treat these casualties.
Help the unconscious child first, as they are in immediate life-threatening danger.
Use the DRSABCD method.
What are the signs of shock in a drowning victim, and how should it be treated?