Lifeguards!!?

Question

If you are a single lifeguard on duty, do you rescue the person from the water then call 911 or do you get the person from the water then call 911?

Thanks!

Answer 1

what i would do i pull the person out of the water spontaneous check for signs of life and if they arent breathing give them rescues breaths and clear the air way and then call 911 because the longer they are in the water the less likely they are going to live once they are pulled out

Answer 2

My opinion, get the person out of the water, commence rescue breathing and/or CPR, as necessary, for at least 1-2 minutes.  Then consider getting away to call 911 as quickly as possible, if you cannot yell for help.

If you leave them in the water while you call 911, they will drown.  That would be an extra 2-3 minutes, easy, in the water.  Would GREATLY increase risk of death, if not guarantee it.

As for CPR, I do know the current conventional wisdom, but I believe, if it is effective, especially rescue breathing, it is typically effective in the 1st minute.  So if it is needed, you get through that minute, and then call 911.  At least that is my opinion.  You might check with a lifeguard instructor and/or your local fire department.

Answer 3

Survey the scene first, assesment is very essential on this scenario. If your holding a phone or two way radio call the attention of anyone or 911 to activate medical assistance then go and rescue your victim.

Answer 4

ok if there are other lifeguards around, you should have a system where the closer lifeguard goes in for the rescue, another one helps, and another one calls 911.  

If you don't have any other lifeguards around then get a regular person to call.  

if there aren't any regular people around either, GET THE PERSON OUT OF THE WATER.  call 911 before starting your assessment and so on.  if it's a child, i would get them out of the water then start cpr/rescue breathing before calling 911, then try and call EMS somehow.  

what are you talking about there is no rescue breathing anymore?  i just got re-certified with redcross this past winter and we still did rescue breathing.  i don't know about EMTs or anything though, im not that advanced

Answer 5

Yell something like "Call 911 someone's drowning!" real quick then dive into the pool and save that person.

Answer 6

Rescue the person then yell for someone to call 911 if needed.

You'd waste precious time on the phone.

Most rescues will not need paramedics and the victim is usually fine after calming down.