Citation

Leclerc TA. Int. J. Aquatic Res. Educ. 2007; 1(1): 34-42.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Bowling Green State University)

DOI

10.25035/ijare.01.01.04

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in time that it will take a rescuer to swim different distances to a near-drowning victim with a rescue tube, using preferred YMCA and American Red Cross approach methods. The skills that were timed included YMCA and Red Cross approach skills with a rescue tube using the modified breaststroke and front crawl strokes. Three different events were timed using the two different approach strokes, for a total of 10 trials. It was assumed that the victim in this study was a passive victim facing away from the rescuer. This positioning was adopted to equalize the approach distance for both the YMCA and Red Cross in order to eliminate the requirements of swimming behind the victim in all Red Cross approaches. Because the victim's back was toward the rescuer, the approach method was directly from the rear. A comparison of mean times was also made between the lifeguard and nonlifeguard groups. In four out of five comparisons between Red Cross and YMCA methods, the YMCA method was faster (p <.05). It was concluded that the rescue tube resulted in increased water resistance when it was positioned across the rescuer's chest.

Language: en