ASTM F1739-96

Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer--Level 1

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope of performance of a water rescuer I who may be responsible for the initial on scene evaluation, performing land based water rescues, and providing initial patient care at a water rescue incident.
1.2 This guide is one in a series; water rescuer I is only a beginning level designed for a water rescue responder. Duties and responsibilities at water rescue operations vary according to the water rescuer's skills and knowledge. As the water rescuer level I progresses and becomes more proficient, the individual will move from responder to in-water rescuer to rescue boat operator.
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-1996
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.03 - Personnel, Training and Education

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1739-96(2002) - Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer--Level 1
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1783-97(2021) - Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer—Level II
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1993-16(2022) - Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F1824-97(2021) - Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level II
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F2958-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F3026-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1739 – 96
Standard Guide for
Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level I
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1739; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope suffocation in water or other fluid media.
3.1.4 near drowning, n—a resuscitated drowning victim
1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope
who survives, at least temporarily, following a submersion
of performance of a water rescuer I who may be responsible for
injury.
the initial on scene evaluation, performing land based water
3.1.5 cold water near drowning, n—a complex series of
rescues, and providing initial patient care at a water rescue
physiological reactions which occur as a result of being
incident.
immersed in cold water (21°C or 70°F and below) which may
1.2 This guide is one in a series; water rescuer I is only a
allow a person to survive up to an hour, possibly more, under
beginning level designed for a water rescue responder. Duties
water.
and responsibilities at water rescue operations vary according
3.1.6 floating tether, tag line, n—a water rescue technique
to the water rescuer’s skills and knowledge. As the water
which stretches a line across a body of water. This line has a
rescuer level I progresses and becomes more proficient, the
flotation device attached to it to keep the rope on the surface of
individual will move from responder to in-water rescuer to
the water and to provide a buoyant object for the victim to grab
rescue boat operator.
and hold.
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
3.1.7 heat-related illnesses, n—conditions consisting of
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke which develop
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
from an overexposure to heat.
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
3.1.8 hypothermia, n—reduction of the body core tempera-
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
ture to 35°C (95°F) and below.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.9 h.e.l.p. position, n—heat escape lessening posture is a
2. Referenced Documents
single person water rescue technique for heat conservation
when immersed in cold water. This technique conserves heat
2.1 American Red Cross Standards:
by using personal flotation devices, clothing, and body posture
Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscita-
to limit exposure of the body’s major heat loss areas to the cold
tion (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care
water.
Standards and Guidelines for Standard First Aid
3.1.10 huddle position, n—a multiple person water rescue
2.2 American Heart Association:
technique for heat conservation when immersed in cold water
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
and the majority of the rescuers are wearing personal flotation
3. Terminology
devices. This technique conserves heat by using personal
flotation devices and clothing, group body contact, and body
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
posture to limit exposure of the body’s major heat loss areas to
3.1.1 water rescuer I, WRI, n—an individual competent to
the cold water.
perform on scene evaluations, water rescues only from land,
3.1.11 PFD, n—a buoyant device suitable for use by one
and provide initial care for victims.
person in water emergencies. These devices may be vests, ring
3.1.2 basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
buoys, life preservers, cushions, and other special purpose
BLS/CPR, n—a set of skills which includes airway manage-
buoyant devices.
ment, artificial respiration, and chest compressions.
3.1.12 self rescue swim in moving water, n—a defensive
3.1.3 drowning, n—death due to submersion and usually
water survival/rescue technique for swimming swift rivers and
rapids consisting of lying on the back (as horizontal and near
This document is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-32 on Search
to the surface as possible), feet first going downstream to fend
and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Education.
off all obstacles including rocks, backstroking with arms,
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published January 1997.
2 flutter kicking with feet, and angling body towards shore.
Available from your local American Red Cross Chapter or your American Heart
3.1.13 sinking tether, snag line, n—a water rescue technique
Association Chapter. Reprinted from the Journal of the American Medical Associa-
tion (JAMA). Copies are available from the American Heart Association, 7320
which stretches a weighted line across a body of water to snag
Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1739
or support fully or partly submerged objects and people. 5.1.9 Identify the elements of a water emergency, that is,
extrication, medical, evacuation, communication, support,
...