ASTM F1728-96(2020)

Standard Practice for Multiple Persons Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: Huddle Position

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice establishes a multiple person cold water survival/rescue procedure.  
3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this practice.  
3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.  
3.4 The majority of the rescuers performing this technique must be wearing personal flotation devices. These devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable condition.  
3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available. The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to conserve heat and increase survival time.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue procedure for performing the huddle position.  
1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-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, 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-2020
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• ICS: 47.080 - Small craft
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1728-96(2014) - Standard Practice for Multiple Persons Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: Huddle Position
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Overview

ASTM F1728-96(2020), Standard Practice for Multiple Persons Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: Huddle Position, is a widely recognized guideline developed by ASTM International. This standard addresses crucial procedures for maximizing survival and rescue effectiveness for multiple persons immersed in cold water. The practice is particularly targeted at situations where self-rescue is needed due to unavailability of immediate help, shoreline, boats, or floating supports. Following this standard helps organizations and individuals enhance safety, conserve body heat, and increase the chances of survival during water emergencies.

Key Topics

• Huddle Position Procedure: The core of ASTM F1728-96(2020) is the recommended way a group of individuals should arrange themselves in the water - side by side in a circle, legs drawn up and ankles crossed, with arms against their torsos. This posture is designed to minimize exposure of heat loss areas and maximize collective warmth.
• Use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): The majority of participants in the huddle must wear personal flotation devices that are serviced and compliant with relevant national regulations (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard standards).
• Group Safety Protocols: Small children, injured persons, and those lacking flotation devices should be positioned in the center of the huddle for added protection and warmth.
• Heat Conservation: Keeping clothing on, limiting movements, and maintaining close body contact are emphasized to conserve heat and improve cold water survival odds.
• Calm and Clear Thinking: Participants are advised to remain calm and await rescue, minimizing panic-induced actions that could increase danger.

Applications

The ASTM F1728-96(2020) standard is applicable across various sectors responsible for water rescue and emergency response. Its practical applications include:

• Public Safety Agencies: Fire departments, coast guards, search and rescue teams, and other government or regional units responsible for emergency water rescues can implement these procedures as part of their standard operating protocols.
• Training Water Rescuers: Organizations use this guideline to set minimum training and performance criteria for personnel responding to water emergencies, ensuring consistent, effective response.
• Recreational and Occupational Safety: Groups engaging in water activities - such as boating, fishing, or ice crossing in cold climates - benefit from awareness and training in the huddle position technique to improve survival prospects.
• Emergency Preparedness: Establishing protocols and preparedness programs for communities in regions prone to cold water incidents, supporting robust community safety standards.

Related Standards

For comprehensive water safety and cold water survival practices, the following related standards should be considered alongside ASTM F1728-96(2020):

• Personal Flotation Device Standards: U.S. Coast Guard, ISO, or EN standards for performance and condition of PFDs.
• Water Rescue Operations: Standards covering specialized equipment, rescue boat operations, and team performance.
• ASTM F32 Committee Publications: Additional guidelines on search and rescue management and self-rescue techniques.
• International Guidelines: WTO TBT Committee’s principles for global harmonization of safety and technical standards.

By following ASTM F1728-96(2020), organizations and individuals are empowered to respond with confidence in cold water emergencies, maximizing safety and improving outcomes for all involved. For further information or implementation guidelines, consult ASTM International and your relevant local authority on water rescue standards.

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: F1728 − 96 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Multiple Persons Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique:
Huddle Position
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1728; 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 3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall
meet the requirements of this practice.
1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue
procedure for performing the huddle position. 3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies,
state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and
1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-rescue techniques for
rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a
the water rescuer.
minimum performance for personnel who respond to water
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
emergencies.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.4 The majority of the rescuers performing this technique
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
must be wearing personal flotation devices. These devices
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
should conform to standards set by the appropriate national
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
States, and be in good and serviceable condition.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available.
The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to
2. Terminology
conserve heat and increase survival time.
2.1 huddle position, n—a multiple person water rescue
4. Procedure
technique for heat conservation when immersed in cold water
and the majority of the rescuers are wearing personal flotation
4.1 Upon initial immersion in cold water, the rescuers
devices. This technique conserves heat by using personal
should cover the mouth and nose to prevent the aspiration of
flotation devices and clothing, group body con
...