Rescue swimming

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Rescue Swimming refers to skills that enable an individual to attempt a rescue when a swimmer is in difficulty. These include a combination of communication skills, specific "rescue" swimming strokes, and release and evade techniques for self-preservation should the rescue go wrong.

From the outset once a swimmer in difficulty is spotted, eye contact must be maintained at all times.
Assess the situation: environment, available physical equipment, others who can help, etc.
Attempt to establish voice contact, which if successful can often result in a "voice-rescue."
A rescuer should enter the water only as a last resort.
Rescues should be attempted in the following order: talk, throw, reach, wade, row, swim, tow and carry.

see also: Swiftwater rescue