ASTM_F_1730_-_96_2014.pdf

Designation:F173096(Reapproved 2014)Standard Guide forThrowing a Water Rescue Throwbag1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1730;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures forthrowing a water rescue throwbag.1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniquesfor the water rescuer.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Terminology2.1 water rescue throwbag,na rescue device comprised ofa storage bag having a flotation element and a length of lineattached.2.1.1 DiscussionThe line is randomly stuffed into the bag,which will allow the line to feed out freely when the bag isthrown.The line is held in one hand,while the bag is thrownwith the other.3.Significance and Use3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for athrowing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers whomay be involved in rescue techniques at a water rescueemergency.3.2 This water rescue technique can be utilized from land,boat,or any stable platform.3.3 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shallmeet the requirements of this guide.3.4 This guide is intended to assist government agencies,state,local,and regional organizations;fire departments;res-cue teams and others who are responsible for establishing aminimum performance for personnel who respond to wateremergencies.3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary withthe number and type of victims,and water conditions.4.Procedure4.1 The water rescuer shall make visual contact with thevictim.Upon making visual contact,the rescuer shall ready therope to throw and notify the victim by yelling,“rope.”4.1.1 To make the rope ready from the bag,the rescuer canremove a portion equal to two arms length from the bag andfirmly grasp the free end of the rope above the knot.Do notplace hand or fingers through the rope loop created by the knotin the end of the rope.Do not attach the rope to anythingincluding the rescuer.4.2 Before releasing the bag of rope in the direction of thevictim,the rescuer may swing the bag underhand,overhand,orin a side-arm fashion to establish clearance necessary forthrowing the rope.4.3 The rope bag should be thrown at or slightly beyond thevictim,thereby placing the rope within arms reach.4.4 The rescuer shall maintain a firm grasp on one end of therope,preparing to belay if necessary,and await victimscontact.4.5 As the victim grabs hold of the line,the rescuer shalldirect the victim to roll into a supine position and place therope over a shoulder and to hold firmly.4.6 The rescuer shall pull the victim slowly or allow thevictim to pendulum to safety.4.7 Multiple throws may be handled by pulling the rope inquickly,letting it collect between the feet without tangling.Pick up the bag with water in it.The water adds weight whichenables the bag to be thrown again without restuffing the ropeinto the bag.4.8 A second option for multiple throws is the coiled ropetoss.5.Keywords5.1 throwbag;water rescue;water rescue throwbags1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search andRescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Management andOperations.Current edition approved March 1,2014.Published March 2014.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F173096(2009).DOI:10.1520/F1730-96R14.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard.Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights,and the riskof infringement of such rights,are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised,either reapproved or withdrawn.Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters.Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee,which you may attend.If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards,at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United