ASTM F1739-96(2024)

Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer-Level I

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this guide is to establish a minimum level of knowledge and skills for the water rescue responder. The application will improve the quality of initial emergency response, the rescue of the water victims, and the safety of the rescuers.  
4.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers and water rescue responders shall meet the requirements of this guide.  
4.3 This guide does not preclude the scope of performances for water rescuers needing more advanced or more specialized water rescue training.  
4.4 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams; and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.
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 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2024
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• ICS: 47.080 - Small craft
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.03 - Personnel, Training and Education

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1739-96(2018) - Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer-Level I
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM F3026-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew Chief
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM F1993-16(2022) - Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM F1824-97(2021) - Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer-Level II
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM F1783-97(2021) - Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer-Level II
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM F2958-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Helicopter Inland Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024

Overview

ASTM F1739-96(2024): Standard Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer-Level I establishes the minimum requirements for the knowledge and skills that water rescue responders must possess at the entry level. This international standard is developed by ASTM International to improve the effectiveness and safety of personnel involved in initial water rescue operations. The guide is essential for agencies and organizations responsible for water emergency response, including fire departments, rescue teams, and government entities. By providing clear criteria for training and performance, the standard helps ensure consistent, competent, and safe responses during water rescue incidents.

Key Topics

• Minimum Knowledge Requirements: Outlines essential knowledge areas such as identifying water hazards, understanding drowning behaviors, recognizing and treating heat-related illnesses, hypothermia, and near-drowning scenarios.
• Basic Life Support and First Aid: Emphasizes the importance of skills in BLS/CPR (basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and basic first aid, in accordance with leading organizations like the American Heart Association and American Red Cross.
• Land-Based Rescue Techniques: Focuses on methods for performing water rescues from land, including the use of reaching, throwing, floating tethers, and sinking tethers.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Highlights the selection, fitting, and proper use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and other safety gear such as thermal protection, helmets, and whistles.
• Heat Conservation Techniques: Covers the use of H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) and huddle positions for heat retention during cold water emergencies.
• Knots and Equipment Use: Specifies proficiency in tying critical knots (such as figure 8 variants) and handling lines and ropes commonly used in water rescue operations.

Applications

ASTM F1739-96(2024) is widely applicable for organizations and individuals engaged in water rescue, especially those at the responder level. Its practical use includes:

• Training and Certification: Serves as a foundation for developing training curricula and certifying personnel for water rescue roles.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Assists emergency management agencies in creating standard operating procedures and ensuring responder competence.
• Incident Response: Guides the initial on-scene evaluation, land-based rescue operations, and the delivery of basic patient care during a water rescue.
• Safety Assurance: Aids organizations in enhancing rescuer and victim safety through standardized practices and equipment use.
• Operational Readiness: Helps maintain the preparedness and skill proficiency of water rescue teams through regular training aligned with the standard’s criteria.

Related Standards

Adopting ASTM F1739-96(2024) can be complemented by referencing additional established standards and guidelines, including:

• American Red Cross Standards: Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care, and Standards and Guidelines for Standard First Aid.
• American Heart Association: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) guidelines.
• Equipment Standards: National regulations for personal flotation devices (such as US Coast Guard standards) and rope/equipment specifications.
• Other ASTM Water Rescue Standards: Additional guides for advanced levels or specialized water rescue operations.

By implementing ASTM F1739-96(2024), organizations ensure that their water rescue responders meet recognized international criteria for performance, safety, and the well-being of both rescuers and water emergency victims. This approach supports a unified and effective water emergency response system.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1739 − 96 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level I
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1739; 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 3.1.1 water rescuer I, WRI, n—an individual competent to
perform on-scene evaluations, water rescues only from land,
1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope
and provide initial care for victims.
of performance of a water rescuer I who may be responsible for
the initial on-scene evaluation, performing land-based water 3.1.2 basic life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
BLS/CPR, n—a set of skills which includes airway
rescues, and providing initial patient care at a water rescue
incident. management, artificial respiration, and chest compressions.
3.1.3 drowning, n—death due to submersion and usually
1.2 This guide is one in a series; water rescuer I is only a
suffocation in water or other fluid media.
beginning level designed for a water rescue responder. Duties
and responsibilities at water rescue operations vary according
3.1.4 near drowning, n—a resuscitated drowning victim
to the water rescuer’s skills and knowledge. As the water
who survives, at least temporarily, following a submersion
rescuer level I progresses and becomes more proficient, the
injury.
individual will move from responder to in-water rescuer to
3.1.5 cold water near drowning, n—a complex series of
rescue boat operator.
physiological reactions which occur as a result of being
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
immersed in cold water (21 °C or 70 °F and below) which may
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
allow a person to survive up to an hour, possibly more, under
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
water.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.6 floating tether, tag line, n—a water rescue technique
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
which stretches a line across a body of water. This line has a
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
flotation device attached to it to keep the rope on the surface of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the water and to provide a buoyant object for the victim to grab
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and hold.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.7 heat-related illnesses, n—conditions consisting of heat
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke which develop from
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
an overexposure to heat.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.8 hypothermia, n—reduction of the body core tempera-
ture to 35 °C (95 °F) and below.
2.1 American Red Cross Standards:
Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscita-
3.1.9 h.e.l.p. position, n—heat escape lessening posture is a
tion (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care
single person water rescue technique for heat conservation
Standards and Guidelines for Standard First Aid
when immersed in cold water. This technique conserves heat
2.2 American Heart Association:
by using personal flotation devices, clothing, and body posture
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
to limit exposure of the body’s major heat loss areas to the cold
water.
3. Terminology
3.1.10 huddle position, n—a multiple-person water rescue
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
technique for heat conservation when immersed in cold water
and the majority of the rescuers are wearing personal flotation
devices. This technique conserves heat by using personal
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
Training and Education.
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1739 – 96 (2018). Available from your local American Red Cross Chapter or your American Heart
DOI: 10.1520/F1739-96R24. Association Chapter. Reprinted from the Journal of the American Medical Associa-
Available from American Red Cross, 2025 E. St., NW, Washington, DC 20006, tion (JAMA). Copies are available from the American Heart Association, 7272
http://www.redcross.org. Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1739 − 96 (2024)
flotation devices and clothing, group body contact, and body 5.1.7 Identify the purpose and the important factors in
posture to limit exposure of the body’s major heat loss areas to selecting a personal flotation device (PFD) for basic water
the cold water. rescue work, that is, flotation for individual self, fit, freedom of
movement, visibility, protection, and physical comfort. These
3.1.11 PFD, n—a buoyant device suitable for use by one
devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate
person in water emergencies. These devices may be vests, ring
national regulatory, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United
buoys, life preservers, cushions, and other special purpose
States, and be in good and serviceable condition,
buoyant devices.
5.
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