LADDER APPROACH
TALK
- Helps you maintain complete control over the situation
- Reassurance is vital for keeping you patient calm
- Making sure you ask clear questions and encourage self rescue (i.e. kick your legs! keep your head up! etc.)
- Make sure you are in control of the situation
THROW
- Underhand throws please!
- Soft and in front of your victim
- Utilise talk as much as possible
REACH
- Again talk as much as possible
- STAY LOW when you reach so you don't get pulled in
WADE
- Only when you are confident to stand in water comfortable (feet firmly on the ground)
- Utilise reaching, talk, and your assists as much as possible
ROW
- A boat provides a good barrier between you and your patient
- Make sure youre comfortable with the craft you have
SWIM
- ONLY if the patient gets worse
- Alawys use an assist
- protect yourself with reverse and ready
TOW
- USE AN AID
- Maintain a strong barrier
- Continue to talk in order to have the patient aid in their own rescue
CARRY
- ONLY to be used when the patient is having difficulty bringing their head out of the water
- Use an Assist if possible
- LAST RESORT
REMEMBER, you are not obliged to help if you feel an immediate risk to your personal safety.
ALSO, ALWAYS use an assist when you can.
Also, 911 is your best friend. EMS should be called on a successful resuce, but if you don't feel safe to help, EMS should be called.
There is a informative chart on page 4-11 of my book that shows the relationship between the Ladder Approach and Rescuers Checklist
Ask if you have any questions!
Jamie
