If you saw three casualties; one unconcious; one a weak swimmer; and one a non-swimmer, which du rescue first?

Question

PLEASE CAN ONLY PEOPLE WITH ANY KIND OF LIFESAVING QUALIFICATION ANSWER THIS QUESTION, DON'T JUST GUESS

Answer 1

Under the guidelines for a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) you are taught to help the most critical patient first which some would argue to be the unconscious one first. On the other hand some could argue that the unconscious one may already be dead, so under MCI you would not rescue this one until last but go for the non-swimmer first, that one being the most salvageable and the most at risk.

Now it gets even more complicated when you look at the guidelines for Basic Water Rescue, which is you first Reach, Row, Throw, then Go. If you applied this to this situation then again you may not go after the Unconcious patient first because the others are more saveable. This all falls under the understanding of Risk a little save a little, risk a lot, save a lot.

Too many unstated variables pertain to this, such as what is the water conditions, such as temp, approx depth, current. Also is the unconscious victim submerged, is the patient on the surface, possible trauma, which patient is the closest. So this is as you see a very difficult question to answer based on teaching, but more of a personal opinion question, more so a "what would you do" type of situation.

With that I would say that I would try to save the Non-Swimmer first, then the unconscious victim, finally the weak swimmer. My reasoning behind this is that the Non-swimmer is the most salvagable, and the most at risk at the moment, the worse that the unconscious could be is dead, and there is not a real priority, but more so than a weak swimmer who isn't at the most risk. MCI is a way to classify victims, when the number of victims is greater than your rescue resources. So I as the rescuer would classify the non-swimmer as a Priority 1, the unconscious as a Priority 2, and the weak swimmer as a Priority 3. But that is just me, and what I based my training on. Hope this helps, and stay safe.

Answer 2

The unconscious casualty first (he/she has no chance of survival). The non swimmer and the weak swimmer have a chance. Go back for the non swimmer next, followed by the weak swimmer.

It is an unusual question, as casualties are not generally clearly labelled with swimming competency status.

Answer 3

First things first, I would call for assistance.

The unconscious swimmer would be first on my list. This person cannot save themself and would have no chance for survival if left. Once this person was on shore, I would ensure they are breathing and had a pulse. If not, I would start CPR.

The non-swimmer would be next. During this rescue, I would instruct the weak swimmer to stop swimming and to tread water or perform the "dead man float" in order to save energy. The reason behind this is that the non-swimmer would be more likely to panic and threaten their own life...so the non-swimmer would be taken in next.

After bringing the non-swimmer to shore, I would go back for the weak swimmer and lead them in. If available, I would use a float for this rescue...they hold onto the float and I tow them in. If not, I would use the simple drag stroke.

I'm an EMT and former lifeguard.

Somewhere in there, I would hope that assistance had arrived on scene. However, I would plan my rescue as if I was doing it alone.

Good for me that I'm a strong swimmer and I have water rescue experience.

EMT

Answer 4

The weak swimmer because I'm no life guard and the week swimmer would have the best chance of being saved

Answer 5

it would be the unconscious one, they get top priority for rescuing. The non swimmer should learn to swim and become familiar with the water. Weak swimmer can improve what is weak to make it stronger.

Answer 6

That is easy...the one that has the least probability of killing me in a panic...the unconscious one.

As for the poor swimmer and non-swimmer, whichever one is panicing least. Someone in a panic - especially a blind panic - can do things that could result in my dying.

That having been said, if neither is panicing, the non-swimmer first.

The process is much like triage - the one most likely to not survive first, and move to the persons with lesser and lesser risk.

Answer 7

Yes, I can swim; I learned at school, aged 12. I would not say that I am a strong swimmer, but I can swim (breaststroke) 20 x 33m lengths in just under 30 minutes.

Answer 8

1. Unconscious person is floating face down (if they are not face down, how do you know they are unconscious?)- they are actually a drowning victim- they go first. The other two are not drowning yet in the scenario given.

Call for help, get this victim to shallow water, assess their airway/breathing/circulation and treat for what is found. (They almost certainly are not breathing.)

2. The other two are roughly equal. Priority would be given to the furthest out or most panicking. After the first victim is semi-stable, you go for the person at most risk, get them to the shallows, then go for the last one.

Answer 9

Rescue the weak swimmer first. Chances are, they will exert themself trying to make it.

The non-swimmer knows that he/she cannot swim, and therefore will continue to tread water. (You can also tell him/her that you need to get the unconscience person and then be back.

Second, get the uncon. it is likely he will be floating. You do want to get to him though because he could get hurt by something in the water.

Get the non-swimmer third. Everyone is now safe. :)

Answer 10

it depends on the the status of the two swimmers, if there in the water and doing just fine, the unconscience one, because if hes not alert he isn't going to be able to swim, and even if hes breathing, hes destined to drown (unless hes wearing a life jacket), after him the non-swimmer