Surface Water Rescue — BASIC

This two-day module develops fundamental surface water rescue skills. Exercises combine environmental assessment, rescuer safety and the complete casualty rescue sequence.

Training scope

• Assessing the water environment and operating conditions.
• Selecting, checking and using personal protective equipment.
• Safe water entry and movement in rescue equipment.
• Assessing casualty behaviour and selecting an approach.
• Equipment-assisted rescue without direct contact and safe contact rescue.
• Aborting a rescue, breaking free and self-rescue.
• Towing conscious, exhausted and unconscious casualties.
• Recovery onto a bank, pontoon or other evacuation point.
• Using throwlines, rescue buoys, boards and flotation aids.
• Scenarios from initial assessment through recovery, casualty assessment and handover.

Skills developed during training

Participants practise repeatable techniques and combine them into rescue operations. Medical care is matched to their first aid or clinical qualifications. Specialist swiftwater techniques are outside this module.

Who we train

Rescuers and team members preparing for in-water rescue duties.

How we train

Demonstrations, repeated practical drills, teamwork and scenarios with debriefing over two days.

Settings and connections

Controlled training stations on suitable water. Links to BLS + AED, hypothermia and medical aspects of specialist rescue.