Surveillance I

Question 1

Steps of the drowning process

Answer 1

1. 0-5 seconds - persons airway becomes submerged. Gulp for air, instead inhaling water into the lungs
2. 1.5-2 minutes - ventilations may resuscitate them
3. 3-4 minutes - cardiac arrest
4. 4-6 minutes - brain damage or death

Question 2

How to stop the drowning process

Answer 2

1. Recognise when a person needs help and is in danger of drowning
2. Get the persons airway out of the water
3. Open the airway
4. Provide resuscitative care

Question 3

What are the reasons a person would drown while a lifeguard is on duty

Answer 3

R - recognition = lifeguard fails to recognise a person in distress or drowning
I - intrusion = lifeguard is attending to a secondary responsibilities while also conducting patron surveillance
D - distraction = lifeguard is distracted by something that takes their attention away from conducting patron surveillance D

Question 4

Examples of potentially dangerous situations or behaviours

Answer 4

1. Bobbing in or near water that is over their head
2. Moving hand over hand in deeper water
3. Moving away from a supervising adult
4. Wearing a lifeguard jacket improperly
5. Grasping or clinging to something to stay afloat
6. Using a pool noodle or other item that may give them a false sense of security or cause them to fall into the water

Question 5

What is hyperventilation

Answer 5

Rapid deep breath holding

Question 6

Characteristics of a distressed swimmer

Answer 6

1. Able to keep their face out of the water
2. Able to call or wave for help
3. Horizontal, vertical or diagonal body position depending on their means of support
4. Floating, sculling or treading water

Question 7

Characteristics of an active drowning person

Answer 7

1. Struggling to keep their face above the water
2. Cannot call or wave for help because all their efforts are focused on getting a breath
3. Extending the arms to the side of front and pressing down for support
4. Not making any forward progress in the water
5. Staying at the surface for only 20 to 60 seconds

Question 8

Characteristics of a passive drowning person

Answer 8

1. May float or drift at or near surface of the water
2. May sink to the bottom
3. May rest on the bottom in a face-down, face-up or fetal position
4. May appear unresponsive in the water - body may be limp or have slightly convulsive movements
5. May look like a shadow, smudge, towel or t-shirt in the bottom of the pool