American Red Cross: Lifeguarding

Primary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2)

Monitor activities in and near water, prevent injuries by minimalizing hazardous situations, enforce facility rules, recognize and respond quickly, administering first aid and CPR, work as a team with other facility employees

Secondary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2-3)

test pool water chemistry, assisting patrons, cleaning/maintenance of pool area, completing records and reports

F.I.N.D (pg. 6)

F=Figure out the problem

I= Identify possible solutions

N= Name the pros and cons for each solution.

D= Decide which solution is best, then act on it

EAP (pg. 6)

Emergency Action Plan

Duty to Act (pg. 6)

While on the job, you have legal responsibility to act in an emergency

Negligence (pg. 6)

When a person receiving emergency care has additional harm because lifeguards failed to follow the standard of care

Consent (pg. 6)

All people giving medical care MUST obtain consent before helping an individual

Regular In-Service

takes place while you are employed as a lifeguard, it is a practice of many well managed facilities that lifeguards participate in a minimum of 4 hrs of in-service training each month

Equipment that your wear or care

a rescue tube, resuscitation mask and gloves

Equipment that you can easily reach

backboards, rescue buoys, PPE, AED first aid supplies

PPE (pg. 14)

Personal Protective Equipment: specialized clothing, equipment, and supplies used to prevent you from coming into direct contact with a victims body fluids

BVM (pg. 14)

REQUIRES TWO RESCUERS.

AED (pg. 14)

Automated External Defibrillators: portable electronic device that analyzes a victims heart rhythm and delivers electrical shock to re-establich proper rhythm.

When preforming facility safety checks

report any unsafe conditions found

Lightening / Thunder in Area (pg. 25)

1. Clear Pool / Pool Area

2. Listen / Follow National Weather Service Reports

3. Wait for 30 minutes after the last sight or sound of thunder before resuming activity

Management and Safety (pg.30)

As a lifeguard, your job is to follow and enforce your facility's rules and regulations

Addressing Unsafe Conditions (pg. 31)

Lifeguards experiencing any unsafe conditions should report all issues to management

MSDS (pg. 31)

Material Safety Data Sheet: list of every chemical stored at facility listing the contents of the chemical

Patron Surveillance (pg. 33)

keeping a close watch over the people in the facility and intervening when necessary

(pg. 34) The process of drowning begins when...

water enters the victims airway

Effective Surveillance (pg. 34)

recognition of dangerous behaviors, victim recognition, effective scanning, zone of surveillance responsibility, lifeguard stations

Distressed Swimmer

above water, is breathing, trying to grab onto the lane line or side of the pool

Active Drowning Victim (pg. 37)

a drowning victim who is struggling to remain at the surface of the water (still conscious)

Passive Drowning Victim (pg. 38)

a drowning victim who is not conscious. They do not struggle and slip under the water suddenly.

Scanning is...

a surveillance technique for watching patrons

RID Factor (pg. 44)

1. Recognition (fail to recognize victim)

2. Intrusion (secondary duties, like maintenance, intrudes on lifeguards primary duties)

3. Distraction (distracted from surveillance)

Zone Coverage (pg. 45)

Pool is divided into separate zones. Each lifeguard is responsible for their own zone. Typically zones overlap in certain spots to have double coverage

Chain of Command (pg. 78)

Patrons > Lifeguard > Facility Management > EMS

Most Head, Neck, or Spinal Injuries result from

high-risk/high impact activities such as head-first entries into shallow water

At lakes, rivers, and oceans, head neck and spinal injuries usually occur in areas where

depths change with the tide or current

Signs of head neck or spinal injury

Unusually bumps or bruises, heavy external bleeding, seizures, blood or other fluids in the ears and nose, brushing of the head

Use the head splint technique for preforming

manual in-line stabilization for victims in the water

head neck or back injury and they r not standing

keep them in the position i which they were found until EMS personnel assume control

head neck or back injury and they r standing

secure him to the back board while he remains standing

head neck or back injury and they r standing manual stabilization

place your hands on both sides of the person's head

Order of the straps

under

over

over

At an onset of an emergency

recognize the emergency, activate the EAP, preform a water rescue of provide emergency care

Examples of PPE

gloves, gowns, masks, shields and protective eyewear

General procedures for injury or sudden illness on land

size up the scene, preform a primary assessment, summon EMS, if needed, preform a secondary assessment if no life threatening conditions are found, provide care for the conditions found, report, advise and release

Size up the Scene

Use your senses to check for hazards that could present a danger to you or the victim, such as unusual odors that would indicate a gas leak or fire , determine what caused the injury , determine what caused the injury or the nature of illness, determine the number of injured or ill victims, put on the appropriate PPE

When should you move a victim

ONLY if you need too

After you size up the scene what should you do

Preform a Primary Assessment

Preform a Primary Assessment

Conduct this to determine if the victim has any life-threatening conditions and if so, summon EMS personnel

Check the Victim for Responsiveness

Summon EMS personnel

Open the Airway and Check for Breathing and Pulse

Give 2 Ventilations if Appropriate

Scan for Severe Bleeding

Recovery Positions

How long must you open the victims airway

no more than 10 seconds

What happens if you don't see the chest rise in 2 ventilations?

Retry

Recovery Positions

In mot cases, you should leave the victim in a face-up position and maintain an open airway if he or she is unconscious but breathing

H.A.IN.E.S

recovery position

What is the recovery position for an infant

face down with their head below their body

(pg. 248) Higher Priority is given to...

airway management, giving ventilations, or performing CPR than to spinal immobilization

(pg. 248) If you suspect head, neck, or back injury, enter the water using the...

Slide-in Entry

Manual in-line stabilization: HEAD SPLINT TECHNIQUE (pg. 249)

Get the victim to a face up position, minimize head and neck movement

Conscious Choking adults and child

5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts

Conscious Chocking infant

5 back blows, 5 chest thrusts

Unconscious Choking adults and child

retilt the head and attempt a ventilation, give 30 chest compressions, look inside the mouth and remove the object if seen, attempt ventilation's

Secondary Assessment (pg. 216)

take a brief history and perform a quick head-to-toe physical exam

Primary Assessment

Checking victim for responsiveness, breathing, and a pulse (Look, Listen, Feel) Check Airways; Breathing; Circulation ABCs

SAMPLE mnemonic when taking a brief history (pg. 216)

S: Signs and Symptoms

A: Allergies

M: Medications

P: Pertinent past medical history

L: Last Oral Intake

E: Events leading up to incident

LOC

Level of Consciousness

Caring for Sudden Illness (pg. 218)

1. Care for any life-threatening conditions first

2. Monitor victim and watch for changes in LOC

3. Keep victim comfortable and be reassuring

4. Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink

FAST (stroke mnemonic)

F: Face-weakness on one side of face

A: Arm-weakness or numbness in one arm

S: Speech-slurred speech or trouble speaking

T: Time- time to summon EMS if these signs are seen Contact ASAP

Seizure in Water (pg. 219)

support the victims head above the water until the seizure ends

caring for external bleeding

apply direct pressure firmly against a wound for a few minutes to control any bleeding, if they bleed through continue to add more don't remove

Shock (pg. 223)

a natural reaction by the body, typically following a serious injury

Signs of Shock (pg. 223)

-restlessness/irritability

-altered LOC

-pale or ashen

-cool, moist skin

-nausea or vomiting

-rapid breathing and pulse

-excessive thirst

DO NOT GIVE ANY FOOD OR DRINK TO A VICTIM OF SHOCK EVEN IF THEY ASK FOR IT

Caring for Muscle, Bone, and Joint Injuries

1. Call EMS if victim cannot move or use the injured area

2. Support the injured area above and below the site of the injury

3. Check for circulation and sensation below the injured area

4. Immobilize and secure the injured area only if the victim must be moved

Caring for Open Fractures (pg. 237)

1. Call EMS

2. Bandage with sterile dressings around the fracture

3. Do Not move the exposed bone and limb

(pg. 194) For each minute CPR / Defibrillation is delayed...

victims chance for survival is reduced by about 10 percent.

Objective of CPR (pg. 196)

Give chest compressions and ventilations to circulate blood that contains oxygen to the victim's brain and other vital organs

CPR ADULT (pg. 197)

-Hand Position: heel of one hand in center of chest, other hand on top; elbows locked

-Compression Depth: At least 2 inches

-Cycles: 30 Chest Compressions; 2 Ventilations

-Rate: At least 100 Compressions per minute

CPR CHILD (pg. 197)

-Hand Position: heel of one hand in center of chest, other hand on top; elbows locked

-Compression Depth: At least 2 inches

-Cycles: 30 Chest Compressions; 2 Ventilations

-Rate: At least 100 Compressions per minute

CPR INFANT (pg. 197)

-Hand Position: 2 or 3 fingers on center of chest (below nipple line); 1 hand on head opening airway

-Compression Depth: About 1.5 inches

-Cycles: 30 Chest Compressions; 2 Ventilations

-Rate: At least 100 Compressions per minute

Once you begin CPR, DO NOT STOP until...

1. You see obvious signs of life (breathing)

2. AED becomes available

3. Another trained rescuer takes over

4. EMS takes over

5. You are too exhausted to continue

6. The scene becomes unsafe

Two Rescuer CPR (pg. 198)

1. 1 Rescuer gives ventilations; 1 Rescuer gives compressions

2. Switch every 2 minutes to reduce fatigue

Two Rescuer CPR Child and Infant (pg. 198)

15 Compressions; 2 Breaths

Two Rescuer CPR Adult (pg. 198)

30 Compressions; 2 Breaths (NO CHANGE)

AED (pg. 198)

Automated Electronic Defibrillator: portable electronic device that analyze the heart's rhythm and provide electric shock to re-establish correct rhythm

Where does the pointy part of the resuscitation mask go

over their nose

Where does the broad part of the resuscitation mask go

between the chin and the bottom lip

What do you do after you position the mask

you need to make sure that you seal it

Respiratory Distress (Pg. 160)

a condition in which breathing becomes difficult

A maneuver for opening the airway

jaw-thrust

Signs and Symptoms of Respiratory Distress

Slow or rapid breathing, unusually deep or shallow breathing, shortness of breath or noisy breathing, dizziness, drowsiness or light-headedness, changes in LOC, increased heart rate, chest pain or discomfort, skin that is flushed, pale, ashen or bluish, unusually moist or cool skin, gasping for breath, wheezing, gurgling, or high-pitched noises, inability to speak in full sentences, tingling in the hands, feet or lips, feelings of apprehension or fear

Caring for Respiratory Distress

Maintain an open airway, summon EMS personnel, help the victim to rest in a comfortable position that makes breathing easier, reassure and comfort the victim, assist the victim from getting chilled or overheated, administer emergency oxygen (if available and if you are trained to do so).

Ching for Burns

remove the victim from the source of the burn, cool the burned area with cold tap water, cover the burned area loosely with a sterile dressing, take steps to minimize shock, comfort and reassure the victim

Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Cramps, Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion

Respiratory Failure (pg. 160)

occurs when the respiratory system begins to shut down

Normal Breathing Rate (pg. 163)

Adults 12 - 20 breaths per minute

Breathing Ventilation (pg. 163)

Adult = 1 breath every 5 seconds

Child / Infant = 1 breath every 3 seconds

GIVE VENTILATIONS FOR 2 MINUTES; THEN REASSESS FOR BREATHING AND A PULSE

(pg. 163) Continue breathing ventilations until...

1. Victim begins breathing on own

2. EMS takes over

3. You are too exhausted to continue

Frothing (pg. 165)

a white or pinkish froth or foam that comes out of the mouth and nose of a victim that has suffered from drowning. If you see froth, clear the victims mouth with a finger before giving ventilations.

Cardiac Chain of Survival

Early recognition and early access to the emergency medical services system, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced medical care

The effectiveness of CPR compressions can be increased if...

the victim is on a firm, flat surface, compressions are the proper depth, compression rate is appropriate, the chest fully recoils after each compression, CPR is performed without interruption

adult CPR

depth at least 2 inches, 30 compressions and 2 ventilations, second rescuer: 30 compressions 2 ventilations, at least 100 compressions per minute

child CPR

depth about 2 inches, 30 compressions and 2 ventilations, second rescuer: 15 compressions 2 ventilations, at least 100 compressions per minute

infant CPR

depth about 1.5 inches, 30 compressions and 2 ventilations, second rescuer: 15 compressions 2 ventilations, at least 100 compressions per minute

Vomiting (pg. 165)

It is common for drowning victims to vomit because water enters the stomach or air has been forced into the stomach during ventilations. If a victim vomits, turn onto side and sweep mouth to clear the airway and prevent the victim from choking

If CPR is going on and a second rescuer comes what should they do

confirm whether EMS personnel have been summoned

After the AED shock is delivered...

preform about 2 minutes of CPR before the AED analyzes the heart rhythm again

AED pad placement

upper right, lower left, if the pads risk touching each other put on in the front and one in the back

Jewelry

you may leave it on when using an AED