What are the four steps in the ARC Lifeguarding water rescue hierarchy, in the correct order?

What are the four steps in the ARC Lifeguarding water rescue hierarchy, in the correct order?

• A. Reach, throw, row, go
• B. Reach, throw, go, row
• C. Reach, row, throw, go
• D. Throw, reach, row, go

Answer: (A)

In ARC lifeguarding, the four-step water rescue approach is arranged to protect you while giving the victim the quickest chance of safety. Start with reach, using your reach from shore or a long tool to contact or stabilize the person without entering the water. This keeps you safe and often solves the situation with minimal effort. If reaching isn’t possible, move to throw a flotation device to help the person stay afloat and buy time while you guide them in. If distance or conditions prevent a successful reach or throw, you then row a rescue craft to bring yourself closer and maintain control, getting you into a better position to assist. Only after these options have been attempted do you go into the water to physically rescue the person who is in immediate danger. That order—reach, throw, row, go—matches the goal of using the least risky method first and reserving entry into the water for when it’s truly necessary. Jumping straight to going in or swapping the sequence would increase risk to you or reduce the effectiveness of each intervention.

In ARC lifeguarding, the four-step water rescue approach is arranged to protect you while giving the victim the quickest chance of safety. Start with reach, using your reach from shore or a long tool to contact or stabilize the person without entering the water. This keeps you safe and often solves the situation with minimal effort. If reaching isn’t possible, move to throw a flotation device to help the person stay afloat and buy time while you guide them in. If distance or conditions prevent a successful reach or throw, you then row a rescue craft to bring yourself closer and maintain control, getting you into a better position to assist. Only after these options have been attempted do you go into the water to physically rescue the person who is in immediate danger.

That order—reach, throw, row, go—matches the goal of using the least risky method first and reserving entry into the water for when it’s truly necessary. Jumping straight to going in or swapping the sequence would increase risk to you or reduce the effectiveness of each intervention.