Advice
to Boat Crews
The following information is intended to provide boat crews with the basic knowledge they should be aware of when accompanying a swimmer, it is by no means exhaustive!
 Equipment
required and its uses
(Compulsory
during a Championship and recommended to be carried on individual swims)
|
(a) Flag Alpha. Means diver down or swimmer in the water. This Flag must be flown from a suitable pole all the time the swimmer is in the water and taken down immediately the swimmer leaves the water.
(b) Blanket or large towel. For wrapping the swimmer, on leaving the water.
(c) Survival Bag, Space Blanket or large plastic bag. Any of these items should be used to ensure the swimmer is not exposed to the chilling effect of any slight breeze, particularly if they may be suffering from even mild hypothermia.
(d) Life Belt / Buoyancy aid / Throw Bag. These should be fastened to the boat by a suitable length of rope and are for use to throw to the swimmer if needed prior to rescue into the boat or onto the nearest shore.
(e) Whistle, plus flare when at sea. Used to signal for emergency assistance. The whistle by long blasts at short intervals accompanied by vigorous waving of the flag Alpha. The flare should only be used when it is imperative to call out the Coast guard.
(f) Torch. Two torches are recommended for use in night situations with new and spare batteries.
(g) Light Stick. For use during the hours of darkness. It should be attached to the back of the swimmers cap or costume.
(h) Compass. Particularly useful at night when land marks are not so clearly visible.
(i) Watch. To time the swim and keep a check on the swimmers stroke rate which can give an early indication of the onset of hypothermia.
The best position in which to feed a swimmer is over the port or starboard, from the stern seat. Feeding should not be done directly over the stern, as this will obstruct the oarsman's view of the swimmer and render everyone's task a great deal more difficult. Feeding a swimmer from a rowing boat can be a very delicate operation if the swimmer is not to be caused any inconvenience or exertion which may result in a sudden attack of cramp. If the swimmer is not accompanied by a trainer, the oarsman/lifesaver should make all the necessary arrangements with the swimmer for feeding.
Records for even the longest swims are sometimes broken by only seconds. Do not waste time. Make all feeding schedules and arrangements before you set off. In a 6-7 hour swim there are many swimmers who waste between 10 and 20 minutes in numerous stops and needless discussions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Remember that the cold affects a stationary swimmer much more than one who keeps swimming. Taste anything hot before you give it to the swimmer. If it is too hot for you, it will probably feel to burn to the swimmer. Paper cups are handy items but must be attached to a piece of string, this can be done by putting a strong elastic band around the cup and attaching the string to it. Plastic bottles and cups may also be used attached to a length of string so that it can be recovered. DO NOT LEAVE LITTER OR CUPS ON THE LAKE OR IN THE SEA.
| Advising a swimmer to leave the water |
A swimmer should be advised to leave the water if he/she is attacked by severe cramp in either arms or legs, which restricts his/her movement and which he/she is unable to shake off after three or four minutes, unless close to the end of the course. No artificial stimulants or drugs or intoxicating liquor should be given to a swimmer either immediately before or during a swim. (Tablets or normal vitamins are quite permissible). An attack of sickness or cramp can often be overcome by a swimmer in good physical condition, but a very close watch should be kept at a time like this, and the competent lifesaver should not be acting as oarsman but should have the buoyancy aid handy and be ready to enter the water.
| Getting a swimmer out of the water |
In lake swimming where there is no urgency, or where the shore is not too far distant the best place to get an exhausted swimmer inboard is from the edge of the lake, where the swimmer can stand. Pass the buoyancy aid to the swimmer and advise him/her to lay flat and hold tight. Row quickly inshore keeping a close watch on the swimmer. In other cases a roller towel or better still two roller towels can be used, in clam water with an experienced crew, it is possible to get a swimmer inboard over the side of the boat , but far the safest way is over the stern. If a rudder is fitted, this must be removed and the swimmer warned to avoid the rudder pins as he/she climbs in. Id a roller towel can be hung over the stern so that the swimmer can place his foot in the loop, this will greatly assist. If necessary another towel can be passed round his/her back, coming forward under the armpits. The lift should then be made in an upward direction, not horizontal, thus avoiding bruising the swimmer on the edge of the boat.
| What to do with a completely exhausted or unconscious swimmer
|
It is imperative that there should be someone in the water to assist in keeping the swimmer head above water and to assist in the lifting him/her into the boat. This situation should not be allowed to arise. The symptoms preceding complete exhaustion will contain: Frequent looks forward, reduction in stroke rate, wandering away from the boat, not responding to signals, such as thumbs up signs or a wave, legs lower in the water, fingers hooking, with shivering starting at some point during the above. See recognition of hypothermia.
| How to detect a swimmer suffering from stomach cramp
|
A swimmer suffering from stomach cramp will immediately show this through bodily and facial contortions. No time should be lost in going to their assistance.
| Treatment for
shock and cramp |
When the swimmer has been taken on board keep them as warm as possible without artificial heating and as far out of the wind as possible. Warm drinks, NOT HOT, may be given. In cases of stomach cramp wait until they can "uncurl" on their own, do not attempt to use force. If the cramp is in any other position try to stretch the muscle affected i.e. in the calf push the toes upwards towards the body. If a swimmer has cramp while swimming in the water, instruct them to grasp the foot and pull it towards the body. Leg cramp, whilst painful, is not dangerous to an experienced swimmer who keeps his/her self control. It is strongly recommended that crews read the handbook "Resuscitation and First Aid " available from the R.L.S.S., The Red Cross or St Johns Ambulance to familiarize themselves with C.P.R (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and current first aid techniques. In the case of shock: keep the person as warm as possible, lying down and with feet raised to a position above the level of the head.
| Recognition of
Hypothermia |
Hypothermia is initially recognized by the onset of shivering, reduction in performance (stroke rate and stroke length), loss of contact with the boat (wandering). Later swimmer does not respond to signals (a simple thumbs up for instance) or verbal instructions, becoming less aware of the surroundings, Skin colour may blanche or turn blue, fingers may hook with further loss of performance.
| Treatment for Hypothermia
|
The first thing to do is abort the swim and recover the swimmer. Remove wet clothing, dry and dress or wrap in warm dry clothes. Keep well sheltered from the wind particularly whilst wet i.e. dry and dress the swimmer whilst they are under a space blanket or other windproof material. Avoid muscle activity DO NOT WARM ARTIFICIALLY, this cannot be stressed sufficiently. Warm drinks may be administered but NO ALCOHOL SHOULD BE GIVEN. once on land or in a large boat with a cabin the patient may be placed in a warm atmosphere but do not attempt to heat the extremities quickly. If in doubt seek medical assistance.
© DL / BLDSA 2008