Temporary analysis of the 50 meters rescue with material test, comparative study between life ring, float buoy and rescue tube.

Abstract

Background: Aquatic lifeguards must use different rescue materials, although there are few quantitative studies to point out advantages and disadvantages of using each of them.

Goals: To determine, through a quantitative kinematic study, advantages and disadvantages of three different types of rescue materials in an aquatic facility rescue drill.

Method: 19 lifeguards carried out the 50m rescue with material test. The test was performed three times, each with a different rescue material (ring, buoy and tube). Different temporal and angular variables were analysed. Subsequently, a descriptive, comparative and correlational analysis were carried out using the SPSS 26.0 statistical package.

Results: Significant differences were not obtained with respect to the total test time (TT) between the buoy, the ring and the tube. The most favourable drag angle (ANGARR) was obtained with the tube, however, the ring was the material that presented a better swimming angle (ANGNA), and a better percentage of placement success.

Conclusions: No significant differences in TT have been observed between the materials, so we consider that all of them may be suitable for performing a rescue with characteristics similar to those of the test used. However, provided information may help us to analyse, depending on the circumstances, which material would be more suitable in each case in a real emergency situation.

Keywords: lifeguard, rescue, drag, buoy, ring, tube, readiness.