Basic Water

Rescue
Workbook
This workbook forms part of the
Bronze Medallion course and will
form the basis of recognised
prior learning and will be used
for discussion during the course.

2 0 1 9 V1

Candidate name

I acknowledge that this is my own work

Workplace

Date of Training Course Candidate Signature

Course Location

1
RTO 90666 Royal Life Saving Society Australia NSW
SISCAQU002 Perform basic water rescue

Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the
context of the job role, and:

• identify, evaluate and respond to aquatic emergencies according to organisational and legislative
requirements
• identify and respond to all of the following signs and signals:
-call for help
-vertical body position
-minimal or non-supportive leg action
-vigorous arm movements
-submerged or unconscious person
• perform the following non-swimming rescues:
-reach
-rope throw
-throw flotation aid
• perform the following swimming rescues demonstrating the fitness and strength to tow a person in
difficulty at least 10 metres with their mouth and nose above water to a point of safety:
-accompanied
-wade
-non-contact tow
-contact tow
• incorporate appropriate adjustments for each of the above rescues to ensure safety of self and
others.

Knowledge Evidence
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of
this unit:

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry standards in relation to:
-the safe conduct of water rescues
-accurate completion of incident documentation
• common signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and possible
contributing factors:
-call for help
-vertical body position
-minimal or non-supportive leg action
-vigorous arm movements
-submerged or unconscious person
• use and location of equipment types
• non-swimming rescue methods and techniques:
-reach
-rope throw
-throw flotation aid
• swimming rescue methods and techniques:
-accompanied
-wade
-non-contact tow
-contact tow
• issues that arise during rescues and appropriate adjustments to ensure safety of self and others
• communication systems used during rescues to inform managers, other employees and emergency
services of progress
• potential dangers in a range of aquatic environments and how to respond

2
Module 1: Water Safety

1. List 3 potential dangers in each of the following aquatic environments.(Page 23-31)

Location Dangers
Rivers

Lakes and dams

Farms

Beach/ocean

Swimming Pool

Around the home

Floods

3
2. There are 3 types of Lifejackets. Identify the features and intended uses of each.
(Page 36)
Lifejacket Features Intended use

Level 100

Level 50

Level 50-S

4
Module 2: Survival Sequence
3. Describe when and how to perform the following entries. (Page 44-48)
Entry Type When How
Wade in

Slide in

Step in

Compact
jump

Dive entry

Stride entry

Accidental
fall in

5
4. When should survival sculling be used? (Page 51)

5. When is the eggbeater kick useful? (Page 55)

6. What are the two methods of maintaining body temperature when the body is
exposed to cold water? Briefly explain the advantages and disadvantages of the two
techniques. (Page 64)
Method Advantages Disadvantages

1.

2.

6
Module 3: Swimming and Lifesaving Strokes

7. List the 6 main swimming strokes. (page 68)

Module 4: Lifesaving Skills

8. List the 4 rescue principles and provide a summary of each. (Page 84)
Rescue principle Explanation

9. List 5 signs of someone who is experiencing difficulty in the water (Page 86-87)

7
10. Circle the correct type of swimmer and list 3 implications for the rescuer. (Page 86-
87)
Type of swimmer Implications for the rescuer
1.
a) Non Swimmer
b) Weak
Swimmer 2.
c) Injured
Swimmer
d) Unconscious 3.

1.
a) Non Swimmer
b) Weak
Swimmer 2.
c) Injured
Swimmer
d) Unconscious 3.

1.
a) Non Swimmer
b) Weak
Swimmer 2.
c) Injured
Swimmer
d) Unconscious 3.

1.
a) Non Swimmer
b) Weak
Swimmer 2.
c) Injured
Swimmer
d) Unconscious 3.

8
Module 5: Rescue Techniques
11. List when and how the following rescue techniques should be utilised. (Page 96-100)
Rescue
When How
Techniques
Talk

Reach

Throw

Wade

Row

12. Describe when the following techniques would be used. (Page 102-103)
Defences When
Defensive
position
Reverse

Blocking

9
13. List when and how the following swim rescues should be utilised. (Page 106-107)
Swim Rescue When How

Accompanied
rescue

Non-contact
tow

14. List when and how the following contact tows should be utilised. (Page 110-111)
Tow When How

Cross chest
tow

Head tow

Double armpit
tow

10
 Double
shoulder tow

15. List when the following spinal management techniques should be utilised. (Page 119-
121)
Type of spinal roll When How

Vice grip rollover

Extended arm
rollover

11
 16. Answer the questions below on the following scenario:

You are at a river bank where you have observed 3 swimmers (a male adult, a teenage
female, and a young male) happily swimming in the river. You notice that they are quite far from
the riverbank, and they are not wearing lifejackets, so you decide to keep an eye out. Several
hundred metres away is the river’s boat ramp, which is getting very busy with boats being loaded
onto the river, and setting off along the water.

A short time later, a current begins to flow along the river, and you observe the 3 swimmers
suddenly start to experience difficulty in the water, which has become disturbed by the current. All
3 swimmers are not wearing lifejackets, and appear to be distressed and fatigued as they signal for
help, approximately 50m from the edge of the river. All 3 swimmers display a vertical position, with
vigorous arm movements, and very minimal leg action, as they struggle to stay afloat.

The water is accessible from the river bank, which appears to have a 30cm drop to the water level.
The water is murky in appearance, and you are unsure of the depth at the river’s edge. Among a
riverbank of scattered bystanders, you quickly alert 2 adults (one male and one female), who are
unpacking equipment from their vehicle in the nearby carpark; among the equipment are 2
lifejackets, a canoe oar, and a small esky lid. The female states that she is a strong swimmer, and is
confident to enter the water; the male is more hesitant, but says he will coordinate what needs to
be done from land. As you start to relay instructions to the 2 bystanders to coordinate the rescue, a
distressed middle aged woman identifies herself as the mother of the children, and hysterically
pleads with you to save her children and her husband.

a) Based on your knowledge of the 4 categories assigned to swimmers experiencing

difficulty, how would you categorise the swimmers who are experiencing
difficulty? Why?

b) What are the immediate dangers to yourself, and other rescuers that need to be
considered before attempting to carry out a rescue?

12
c) Detail the instructions you would give to the other bystanders who have offered
their assistance in carrying out the rescue, as well as the role you would assume
for yourself. (Remember: while only one of them was confident about entering the
water, the other was happy to coordinate some tasks on land)

d) Outline the tasks that the land-based bystander could conduct before, during, and
after the aquatic rescue sequence takes place.

e) Complete the incident report form (over the page) based on your
response to the scenario.

13
 Incident Report Form
Staff Member Reporting Incident

Name: Date:
Position: Signature:

Person(s) involved in the incident

Given Name/s:
Surname:
Gender: Male/ Female Date of birth:
Address:
Suburb: Postcode:
Telephone number:

Parent/Guardian of casualty’s details: (If Applicable)

Given Name/s:
Surname:
Gender: Male/ Female Date of birth:
Address (if different to person involved in accident/incident):
Suburb: Postcode:
Telephone number:

About the accident/incident

Type: Minor/ Major
Date: Time:
Where did the injury take place?

Accident/Incident Description Injury Location

14
RTO 90666 Royal Life Saving Society Australia NSW
Treatment Required:

Emergency Services
Were Emergency Services required to deal with the incident?
Type: Ambulance Police Fire
Time requested: Time of Arrival:
Officer/s Name:
Other details:

Referral
Type: Parent/Guardian Hospital Teacher
Other:

Witness Details (if available)

Name: Name:
Address: Address:

Telephone: Telephone:

Refusal
I understand that I have been offered specific first aid treatment by staff and I refuse
that treatment.
Signature: If under 18yrs Parent or Guardian:

Post Accident/ Incident Follow up

Accident/Incident area checked for risk: Yes No
Outcome:
Shift supervisor Date: Signature:

15

RTO 90666 Royal Life Saving Society Australia NSW