FAQs Flashcards
What does an active drowning victim look like?
Head position? Appearance? Breathing? Arm and leg action? Body position? Locomotion? Sounds? Location?
Head tilted with face looking up. Struggling to keep or get head above the surface, expression of panic. Struggles to breathe. Arms to side or in front, alternately moving up and pressing down. Vertical, leaning slightly back. No locomotive. Cannot call out for help. At the surface, underwater, or sinking.
What does a passive drowning victim look like?
Head position? Appearance? Breathing? Arm and leg action? Body position? Locomotion? Sounds? Location?
Face-up or face-down in the water. Submerged head, floating or s. body. Limp or convulsive-like movements. Eyes may be closed. May look like a shadow if submerged. Not breathing. No leg/arm movement. Horizontal or vertical position. No locomotion or sounds. Floating on surface or sinking at bottom/middle.
What is a laryngospasm? What triggers it? What does it cause?
A sudden closure of the larynx (windpipe). When water enters the airway, the victim holds their breath involuntarily which eventually leads to laryn. When this occurs, air cannot reach the lungs and the victim may swallow large amounts of water into the stomach.
How soon after submerging can a victim go into cardiac arrest?
3 minutes
How quickly after submerging can brain damage or death occur?
4 to 6 minutes
Giving ventilations often will resuscitate the victim if the are given within _______ minutes of submerging.
1.5 - 2 minutes
How should you treat agonal gasps?
Because they are not breathing and can occur even after the heart has stopped beating, care for the victim as though he/she is not breathing at all
What are signs of a weak swimmer or nonswimmer?
Bobbing in or near water over his/her head. Crawling hand-over-hand along a pool wall. Beyond arm’s reach of a supervising adult, even if wearing a floatation aid.
What behaviors help recognize when someone needs help?
Breathing. Appearance or facial expression. Head and body position. Head and body position. Body propulsion or locomotive.
What is the RID Factor?
Recognition, intrusion, distractions. If an active victim drowns while a lifeguard is on duty, it is probably due to: failure of recognition, secondary duties intrude, or they are distracted from surveillance
What is total zone coverage? What is emergency back-up coverage?
You are the only lifeguard conducting patron surveillance.
When two or more lifeguards are on duty and one must enter the water for a rescue, guards who remain out of the water must now supervise a larger area
What steps should you take to prevent a patron from engaging in risky behavior?
Get the patron’s attention. Explain the hazard or danger. Explain a safe option.
What does a distressed swimmer look like?
Head position? Appearance? Breathing? Arm and leg action? Body position? Locomotion? Sounds? Location?
Head is above water. Trying to support self by holding/clinging to a lane line. Expression of concern for safety. Is breathing. Floating, sculling, or treading water. Might wave for help. Could be in any position. Little or no progress, less and less able to support self. Able to call for help but may not do so. At the surface.
