■ Swimming Rescue

A swimming rescue is performed when direct physical assistance is required.

Approach with caution, maintain control, and prioritize airway protection and buoyancy.

1. Approach the diver carefully from the front while maintaining a safe distance.
   A panicked diver may attempt to grab you. Stop just outside arm’s reach and assess the situation.
2. Instruct the diver clearly to establish buoyancy independently if possible.
3. Give loud, simple commands such as inflating the BCD, releasing weights, and floating on the back while breathing slowly.

Give clear verbal instructions first

If the diver is unable to secure buoyancy independently, approach from below the surface with a regulator in your mouth to protect your airway.

Control the diver by grasping the legs and rotating the diver to reposition safely.

Approach from below

Control the legs and rotate

Ascend to the surface behind the diver and secure the tank using your knees to maintain control.

Inflate the diver’s BCD and, if necessary, release the diver’s weights to ensure positive buoyancy.

Secure the tank with the knees

If the diver grabs you, submerge briefly while maintaining control of your airway.
A distressed diver will typically release their grip when unable to breathe.

Submerge to break the grip

Position the diver face-up to ensure comfortable breathing.

Once breathing becomes calm and controlled, escort the diver toward the exit point.

If the diver is unable to swim, grasp the valve or BCD and tow using a modified flutter kick against the direction of travel, or use a foot push technique to move the diver to safety.

Modified flutter kick

Foot push technique

Combined techniques