Universal Emergency Handsignals
- 1. UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY HANDSIGNALS
- 2. EMERGENCIES and HANDSIGNAL COMMUNICATION Objectives: Activation of the EAP and getting quick, correct response without creating patron panic Emergency challenges depend on the type and the location of pool or waterfront Recognize how hand signals can play a role in incident response Maximize communication systems at beach fronts, multi-pool complexes, and 50-meter pools Acknowledge problems at special pools
- 3. WHAT’S NEXT atthe LOCAL POOL? EAP/EAS has been activated, rescue is in progress BUT How do you communicate appropriate response without in noisy area or alarming bystanders Universal hand signals, developed in Australia and introduced in Europe, and now the U.S. are an option Value: Quickly alert responders to probable medical emergency Quietly alert responders without announcing to all by- standers Avoid embarrassment to victim
- 4. TRADITIONAL RESPONSE Whistles, 2-wayradios, colored flags Common whistle protocol used in pool leisure facilities 1 short blast – to gain attention of a swimmer 2 short blasts – to gain attention of a fellow lifeguard 3 short blasts – to signal a fellow lifeguard that an emergency is taking place, action must be taken 1 long blow – to signal swimmers to clear the pool Lifeguards respond according to training
- 5. LEISURE and MULTI-POOLFACILITIES Lifeguards use whistles and 2-way radios Strategic placement of lifeguards provides visual contact with fellow guards Hand signals can quickly define needed assistance
- 6. TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATION Provideinstant communication Beaches and large facilities use for quick distress calls Primarily used in aquatic facilities to communicate with supervisor or medical staff
- 7. 50 METER POOLS Apool with one lifeguard on the stand and one lifeguard roaming at all times Whistle signals for quick assistance is adequate for 2nd lifeguard Supervisor’s office is not adjacent to pool; 2-way radio enables access to management and/or response team
- 8. SPECIAL CATEGORY POOLS Facilitieswith only 1 or 2 lifeguards must involve other facility staff Signals to alert need for staff response must be defined for each facility Staff are used for Clear the pool Crowd control Trained to assist with the rescue Provide surveillance while lifeguard takes a quick break
- 9. BEACHFRONT and MULTI-POOL COMMUNICATION OPTIONS Common response to emergencies Two-way radios between lifeguard stations Rescue tubes or equipment used for nonverbal Communication Challenges - maximizing communication between stations
- 10. BEACHFRONT BASICS beforeEMERGENCIES Flag color and Signs are approved and encouraged by USLA and the International Lifesaving Foundation Help ensure Universal understanding of the meaning for each color Flags should be based on measurable criteria Should be used to provided condition for an entire beach area A sign denoting the meaning for each color flag should be easily visible for beach goers
- 11. WARNING FLAGS Green: Lowhazard (small surf) Yellow: Moderate hazard (strong current) Red: High hazard (contaminated water) Red over Red: Water closed Purple: Marine life present (jellyfish) Yellow w/Black ball: Surfing prohibited Black: Surfing permitted Checkered: Use area boundary (swimming area) Red over Yellow: Protected area (end of lifeguard)
- 12. EXAMPLE OF AFLAG SIGN
- 13. NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION SIGNALS Tube and Arm signals are approved and encouraged by United State Lifesaving Association (USLA)
- 14. Rescue Flotation DeviseSignals (RFD: Rescue Tube) Performed by lifeguard on land to provide location/movement directions to the in water rescuer Move to the right or left – RFD is extended to the right or left at the end of a fully extended arm
- 15. USLA RFD SIGNALS- continued Go Further Out- An RFD is held vertically between two upraised arms
- 16. USLA RFD SIGNALS- continued Stay There- Arms are extended horizontally to the sides without holding a rescue buoy.
- 17. USLA RFD SIGNALS- continued Move Offshore and Wait- An RFD is held horizontally in both hands overhead. This is generally used when a boat or helicopter is being sent to retrieve the guard and victim
- 18. IN-WATER RESCUER ARMSIGNALS Arm signals are primarily used by responding rescuer to initiate back-up or provide a victim status up-date to land rescuers This is completed: Once control of the situation has been gained The victim is stabilized Once the in water rescuer provides the signal the rescuers on shore should respond with the same signal to ensure each signal was seen and understood Arm signals can be initiated by land rescuers to communicate with in-water rescuers
- 19. USLA IN-WATER ARMSIGNALS All Clear - OK Resuscitation Case or Oxygen Needed
- 20. USLA IN-WATER ARMSIGNALS Assistance Needed Submerged Victim
- 21. UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY HANDSIGNALS Appropriate for pools, beach fronts, and leisure/multi-pool facility Alert to an emergency to assist in correct response to the incident Need help Location/direction of emergency
- 22. HAND SIGNALS forBASIC SYMPTOMS Breathing Problem Unconscious Choking Heart Attack Stroke Seizure Spine/Neck Injury
- 23. SITE SPECIFIC SIGNALS Asite can develop their own signals to communicate with staff and patrons. Ensure that all parties understand the signals and ensure there is a purpose to the signal. RFD: Guard in Water is in the area- Place tube perpendicular over head (straight) moving tube left to right. ARM: Call 911- Move finger in circle over head. FLAG: Lowered Flag- Lifeguard in water come in quickly, unless directed by tube signals.
- 24. WHY CONSIDER ADOPTINGHAND SIGNALS Some pools supplement lifeguards with video monitoring – quickly relays essential information Large pools/multi-pool complexes need simple and quick communication between lifeguard stations Private pools with inadequate lifeguard staffing Therapy pools
- 25. INCORPORATING INTO CURRENTTRAINING During training for specific emergencies, show the hand signal that relates to it Discuss how to incorporate into established activation protocol – quickly identify area or emergency and needed assistance Radios and lifeguard flags adding hand signals to relay messages to fellow guards
- 26. UNIVERSAL SIGN LANGUAGE Anew tool for the tool kit Will it work for you? How can you use it in multi-pool complexes and beach waterfronts? Any additional signs that you use?