How to throw a line

This week our friends Dyfed Water Search and Rescue team visited local secondary schools and taught 176 students how to throw a rescue line to someone they see in difficulty in the water.  Do you know how to throw a line?  Below is a simple step by step guide from their team to help you learn this simple lifesaving technique.

1 Attract attention

Shout out to the casualty to get their attention and tell them you are going to throw a line.

2. Throw the Line

Hold the throw bag in your 'stronger arm' and ensure the line is secured in your other hand.  Using an under arm motion, throw the bag containing the line towards the casualty while holding the tail end of the line in your other hand. Aim to get the line to land across the casualty’s body or over their head enabling them to easily grab the line.

3. Give Instructions

Shout to the casualty: ‘Hold onto the line,’ followed by: ‘Roll onto your back.'  This will put the casualty into an easy position for you to pull them to safety

4. Pull line in

Pull the casualty towards you using both hands.

5. Help casualty out of the water

Get hold of the casualty and assist them out of the water, using whatever safe means is available.  Be sure to keep yourself safe at all times.