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Lesson 4 - Advanced Rescue Towing Techniques

Lifesaving Skills and Water Rescue Competency

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Year 9

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Water Safety

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1h 4min

Big Question

How do you choose the right rescue technique when a casualty's life depends on your decision?

Learning Objectives

Master chin tow technique over 20m distance with controlled breathing
Learn and apply cross chest tow technique for conscious casualties
Practice J shape tow for unconscious casualties with safe approach
Develop skills in landing unconscious casualties safely at pool edge
Understand different towing methods for different casualty types and make appropriate decisions

Key Outcomes

Students will perform chin tow over 20m maintaining casualty safety and position
Students will execute cross chest tow with secure grip and effective propulsion
Students will demonstrate J shape approach and tow for unconscious casualties
Students will safely land and secure casualties at pool edge
Students will assess casualty condition and select appropriate rescue technique

Equipment & Resources Required

Swimming Pool

1 (minimum 25m length, 1.5m depth)

Ensure water temperature 28-30°C for extended practice, clear lanes for rescue practice, deep end for unconscious casualty scenarios

Alternative: N/A - essential facility

flags

6-8 markers

Mark 10m and 20m distances for towing practice, create rescue zones for scenario work

Alternative: Floating buoys, pool noodles as markers

CPR Mannequin

2-4 (depending on class size)

Adult-sized mannequins for realistic practice, some should float face down for unconscious casualty scenarios

Alternative: Weighted rescue aids, adapted buoyancy aids

Mats

4-6 sections

Position at landing practice areas to protect casualties and rescuers from hard pool edge

Alternative: Foam padding, pool noodles for edge protection

PE Equipment

2-3 stopwatches or pool pace clock

Visible pace clock for self-timing, handheld stopwatches for teacher assessment

Alternative: Smartphone timers (in waterproof cases)

Whistles

1 per instructor

For emergency stops and attention signals during practice

Alternative: N/A - essential safety equipment

Rescue Tube

2-3

Available poolside for emergency backup, not for lesson use unless emergency

Alternative: Pool noodles tied together

Key Vocabulary

Cross chest tow

A rescue technique where the rescuer places their arm across the casualty's chest, gripping under the opposite armpit, used for conscious casualties

J shape tow

A rescue approach and tow technique for unconscious casualties, where the rescuer approaches from behind in a J-shaped path to avoid being grabbed

Chin tow

A rescue tow where the rescuer cups their hands under the casualty's chin to keep the airway clear while swimming on their back

Landing technique

The method of safely bringing a casualty to the pool edge and securing them while maintaining airway protection

Unconscious casualty

A person in the water who is not responsive and cannot help themselves, requiring immediate rescue with airway protection

Casualty assessment

The process of quickly evaluating a casualty's condition to determine the appropriate rescue technique

Rescue-ready position

Body position in water allowing quick response to rescue situations, typically sidestroke or sculling with head up for visibility

Secure grip

Holding a casualty firmly enough to maintain control but not so tight as to cause pain or restrict breathing

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic swimming competence in front crawl, backstroke and sidestroke
Understanding of water safety principles
Introduction to chin tow technique from Lesson 3
Awareness of casualty types (conscious vs unconscious)
Basic approach and contact skills

Current Skills

Advanced chin tow over extended distance
Cross chest tow with secure grip and propulsion
J shape tow approach and execution for unconscious casualties
Safe landing technique at pool edge
Decision-making for appropriate rescue method
Casualty assessment in water

Next Steps

Combined rescue scenarios with multiple casualties
Rescue in challenging conditions (waves, currents)
Advanced lifesaving awards and qualifications
Deep water rescue techniques
Team rescue coordination

Milestone Indicators

Maintains secure grip throughout 20m tow without readjustment

Keeps casualty's airway clear of water during all towing techniques

Demonstrates smooth transition from approach to tow

Makes correct decisions about towing method based on casualty assessment

Lands casualty safely without causing injury or distress

Key Teaching Points

Chin tow requires locked elbows to maintain casualty's airway clear of water - any elbow bend causes face to submerge
Cross chest tow arm position is diagonal across chest like a seatbelt, hand grips under opposite armpit for security without discomfort
J shape approach to unconscious casualties allows continuous visual assessment of airway and prevents collision from direct approach
Landing technique must maintain casualty hold throughout - approach sideways, one arm holds casualty, free arm grabs pool edge, never release
Technique selection depends on casualty condition: unconscious needs J approach and chin tow for airway control, conscious panicked needs cross chest for safe distance
Rescuer's own safety is paramount - if you can't breathe or maintain technique, you cannot save anyone, pace yourself
Communication with casualty throughout rescue reduces panic and increases cooperation - constant reassurance and explanation essential

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Chin tow works for all casualty types' - Correction: Chin tow is ideal for unconscious casualties but dangerous for panicked conscious casualties who may grab the rescuer; use cross chest tow for conscious casualties
Misconception: 'You can approach an unconscious casualty directly from behind for safety' - Correction: J shape approach is essential to assess the casualty's face, airway status, and position before making contact; straight approach prevents assessment
Misconception: 'Speed is most important in rescue situations' - Correction: Controlled technique maintaining casualty airway protection is paramount; a fast rescue where the casualty drowns during tow achieves nothing
Misconception: 'You can let go of casualty briefly to get a better position at pool edge' - Correction: Never release hold on casualty during landing; unconscious casualties will sink immediately, conscious may panic; maintain grip throughout
Misconception: 'Cross chest tow arm goes around the neck for better control' - Correction: Arm across neck creates strangulation risk and blocks airway; correct position is across chest from shoulder to opposite armpit
Misconception: 'If you're a strong swimmer you can rescue anyone' - Correction: Technique, decision-making and casualty assessment are more important than swimming strength; poor technique with great strength still fails

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Structure lesson with frequent activity changes maintaining engagement, provide clear time limits for each task using visible timer, use highly motivating challenge elements to sustain focus, allow movement breaks if needed, position near teacher for regular check-ins and refocusing, break complex skills into micro-steps with immediate success opportunities, provide fidget tools for poolside discussions if helpful, use energetic teaching style matching energy levels

dyspraxia

Allow extended practice time for motor skill development, break all techniques into very small progressive steps, use visual cue cards showing body positioning, provide additional demonstration and modelling, allow use of larger/easier to grip equipment initially, reduce spatial complexity (clear lanes, more space), buddy support for sequencing multi-step techniques, celebrate effort and small improvements to build confidence, consider alternative assessment methods focusing on understanding rather than perfect execution

autism spectrum

Provide visual schedule of lesson structure displayed poolside, use consistent language and signals throughout, establish clear routines for entry, exit, and transitions, offer quiet zone option if sensory overwhelm occurs, use social stories to prepare for rescue scenarios before lesson, allow familiar partner for all pair work reducing social anxiety, provide countdown warnings before activity changes, minimise unexpected loud noises (whistle warnings given)

visual impairment

Use bright coloured floating markers for boundaries and distance indicators, provide detailed verbal descriptions of all techniques before practice, allow tactile exploration of mannequin positioning, buddy system with sighted partner for spatial awareness, use pool edge as tactile reference point, verbal cues throughout all practice phases, ensure teacher voice is clearly audible and directional

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations from multiple angles, provide written instruction cards laminated for poolside use, establish visual signals for stop/start/emergency (flags or lights), position student where they can clearly see teacher's face for lip-reading, use vibrating timer for 30-second holds (waterproof), buddy system for relaying verbal instructions, pre-teach key vocabulary with visual supports

physical disability

Adapt towing techniques for students with limited limb function - may use modified grips or alternative propulsion methods, allow use of flotation aids to support positioning, provide additional support from teaching assistant in water, modify distances to achievable levels (e.g., 10m instead of 20m), focus on decision-making and understanding even if physical execution is modified, ensure full inclusion in cognitive and leadership aspects of lesson

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Distance measurement and calculation of 20m towing distances, timing and recording rescue completion times for analysis, angles of approach for J shape path geometry, speed calculations (distance/time) for tow efficiency, data collection and graphing of performance improvements, percentages when assessing improvement rates

Science

Human body systems during exercise - cardiovascular response to swimming, respiratory system working under increased demand during rescue swimming, muscular system - which muscles used in different swimming strokes, forces and motion - drag in water, buoyancy principles keeping casualties afloat, Newton's laws applied to swimming propulsion

Citizenship

Community responsibility - being prepared to help others in emergencies, rights and responsibilities around water safety, understanding emergency services roles (lifeguards, paramedics), volunteering opportunities in water safety education, personal contribution to community safety

Geography

Water safety in different environments - pools vs open water vs sea, understanding currents and water movement affecting rescue difficulty, mapping safe and dangerous water areas, global differences in water safety education and drowning statistics, environmental factors affecting water temperature and conditions

PSHE

Responsibility for others' safety and wellbeing, making decisions under pressure that affect others, emotional regulation when dealing with stressful rescue scenarios, resilience when facing challenging physical tasks, teamwork and communication in life-critical situations, empathy understanding casualty fear and discomfort

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Position centrally on pool deck during whole-class instruction for maximum visibility and voice projection. During partner practice, circulate around pool perimeter maintaining constant visual contact with all pairs. In deep water for demonstrations and to provide immediate support during unconscious casualty practice. Never turn back to class when instructing - always face students with full pool in peripheral vision.

Observation Focus

Watch for secure grip maintenance throughout all towing techniques - loosening grip is primary safety concern. Monitor casualties' faces remaining clear of water - airway protection is paramount. Observe rescuer breathing patterns - irregular breathing indicates fatigue requiring rest. Check for correct approach paths especially J shape - poor approach creates collision risk. Note student confidence levels - anxiety may indicate need for additional support or modified practice.

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if casualty's face submerges during any towing practice - stop, reset, re-teach technique. Intervene if students showing signs of exhaustion - mandatory rest period required. Stop practice if any student expresses discomfort or feels unsafe - validate concern and modify activity. Correct poor landing technique before injury occurs - demonstrate safe approach again. Address any competitive behaviour compromising safety - reinforce that perfect technique beats speed.

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: All techniques multiple times from different angles so all students see clearly. Use confident swimming student as partner for realistic demonstration scale. Exaggerate key points - show locked elbows very clearly, trace J shape path visibly in the air and water. Demonstrate common mistakes deliberately then show correction - 'If I do this wrong, see what happens? Now watch the correct way.' Use mannequin for unconscious casualty demos to show safe practice before students attempt. Narrate throughout demonstration - 'Now I'm positioning my arm across the chest, hand under the armpit, see that? Now I grip firmly.' Repeat demonstrations between practice rounds to reinforce learning.

Verbal Cues

•'Locked elbows!' - reminder during chin tow to maintain airway clearance
•'Grip under the armpit!' - correction for cross chest tow hand position
•'J shape path!' - reminder during unconscious casualty approach
•'Sideways to the wall!' - cue for safe landing approach
•'Never let go!' - critical reminder during landing practice
•'Breathe steadily!' - encouragement for rescuer breathing control
•'Eyes on casualty!' - reminder to maintain visual contact during approach
•'Check the airway!' - prompt during unconscious casualty assessment

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

25m swimming pool minimum, depth range 1.0m (shallow end) to 2.5m+ (deep end) for unconscious casualty practice, clear lanes for towing practice minimum 3m wide, landing areas at pool edges with adequate space for safe casualty positioning

Surface Check

Pool water clarity verified - ability to see bottom clearly essential for safety monitoring, water temperature 28-30°C for extended practice comfort, pool edge non-slip and clear of hazards, depth markers clearly visible throughout pool

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Rescue mannequins checked for secure construction, no sharp edges or loose parts
•Pool edge mats positioned securely, won't slip during landing practice
•Lane markers and flags properly secured, won't create entanglement hazard
•All equipment sanitized before and after use following pool hygiene protocols
•Emergency rescue equipment (pole, ring) accessible and functional
•First aid kit fully stocked and immediately accessible poolside

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Drowning risk during rescue practice - students must be competent swimmers (minimum 50m unaided)
•Collision between students during towing practice in shared water space
•Injury during casualty landing - hard pool edge contact
•Exhaustion leading to inability to self-rescue after repeated towing practice
•Panic response if casualty feels unsafe during towing practice
•Hypothermia risk during extended water session
•Slips and falls on wet pool deck before and after lesson

Risk Mitigation

•Swimming competency verified before lesson - all students must demonstrate 50m+ ability
•Clear designated practice areas with adequate spacing between pairs/groups (minimum 3m)
•Pool edge mats positioned at all landing practice areas to cushion impacts
•Mandatory rest periods built into lesson structure to prevent exhaustion
•Safe word/signal established - any student can stop practice immediately if uncomfortable
•Water temperature monitored, lesson shortened if below 28°C
•Strict no running policy around pool deck, controlled entry and exit procedures
•Continuous headcount throughout lesson, buddy system for additional monitoring
•Qualified lifeguard present in addition to teacher, or teacher holds current lifeguard qualification

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Teacher positioned for maximum visibility of all students at all times, never turning back to class
•During partner work, position centrally to observe multiple pairs simultaneously
•During individual practice (J shape approach), position near practice area within immediate reach
•Teaching assistant or lifeguard positioned at opposite end of pool for complete coverage
•Continuous scanning of all students, regular headcounts, awareness of struggling students
•Position allows immediate water entry for emergency response if needed

Emergency Procedures

On emergency whistle: All students stop immediately and hold pool edge. Teacher/lifeguard enters water to assist casualty. Teaching assistant calls emergency services if required. Students exit water calmly under instruction. Emergency rescue equipment deployed. First aid administered as needed. Incident recorded following school protocols. Parents/guardians informed of any injuries or incidents.