What constitutes a successful rescue?

A successful rescue is defined by the ability to bring a victim to safety while minimizing further risk or injury. This aspect is crucial because the primary goal of a lifeguard's intervention is not just to reach the victim but to ensure that the rescue does not cause additional harm to either the victim or the rescuer. This might involve using proper techniques to stabilize the victim, ensuring that both parties are safe from dangers such as waves, currents, or other environmental hazards, and employing appropriate moves to get the victim to safety without exacerbating their condition.

This approach underscores the importance of a structured and calm method in rescue scenarios, which often can be chaotic and stressful. It also emphasizes the philosophy of preventative measures in lifeguarding, where a lifeguard's training allows them to assess the situation effectively and choose the best course of action, ensuring that all necessary safety protocols are followed.

While using a rescue device can be helpful and calling for medical assistance is important, these actions alone do not encompass the full scope of a successful rescue. Choosing whether or not to save a victim based solely on the situation can lead to moral and ethical dilemmas and does not align with the lifeguard's duty to protect and save lives whenever possible.