ASTM F1730-96(2002)

Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide establishes a recommended procedure for a throwing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers who may be involved in rescue techniques at a water rescue emergency.
This water rescue technique can be utilized from land, boat, or any stable platform.
All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide.
This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, and regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.
The procedure outlined in the document may vary with the number and type of victims, and water conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for throwing a water rescue throwbag.  
1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques for the water rescuer.  
1.3 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-Sep-1996
• ICS: 47.080 - Small craft
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1730-96 - Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1996
• Replaced By: ASTM F1730-96(2009) - Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:F1730–96 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Guide for
Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1730; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary with
the number and type of victims, and water conditions.
1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for
throwing a water rescue throwbag.
4. Procedure
1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques
4.1 The water rescuer shall make visual contact with the
for the water rescuer.
victim. Upon making visual contact the rescuer shall ready the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rope to throw, and notify the victim by yelling, “rope.”
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1.1 To make the rope ready from the bag, the rescuer can
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
remove a portion equal to two arms length from the bag and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
firmly grasp the free end of the rope above the knot. Do not
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
place hand or fingers through the rope loop created by the knot
2. Terminology in the end of the rope. Do not attach the rope to anything
including the rescuer.
2.1 water rescue throwbag, n—a rescue device comprised
4.2 Before releasing the bag of rope in the direction of the
of a storage bag having a flotation element and a length of line
victim, the rescuer may swing the bag underhand, overhand, or
attached.
in a side arm fashion to establish clearance necessary for
2.1.1 Discussion—The line is randomly stuffed into the bag,
throwing the rope.
which will allow the line to feed out freely when the bag is
4.3 The rope bag should be thrown at or slightly beyond the
thrown. The line is held in one hand, while the bag is thrown
victim, thereby placing the rope within arms reach.
with the other.
4.4 Therescuershallmaintainafirmgraspononeendofthe
3. Significance and Use rope, preparing to belay if necessary, and await victim’s
contact.
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for a
4.5 As the victim grabs ahold of the line the rescuer shall
throwing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers who
direct the victim to roll into a supine position and place the
may be involved in rescue techniques at a w
...