ASTM_F_1729_-_96_2014.pdf

Designation:F172996(Reapproved 2014)Standard Practice forSingle Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique:HELPPosition1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1729;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 practice covers the recommended water rescueprocedure for performing the heat escape lessening posture(HELP)position.1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-rescue techniques forthe 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 HELP position,nheat escape lessening posture(HELP)is a single person water rescue technique for heatconservation when immersed in cold water.This techniqueconserves heat by using personal flotation devices,clothing,and body posture to limit exposure of the bodys major heatloss areas to the cold water.2.2 personal flotation device(PFD),na buoyant devicesuitable for use by one person in water emergencies.Thesedevices may be vests,ring buoys,life preservers,cushions,andother special purpose buoyant devices.3.Significance and Use3.1 This practice establishes a single person cold watersurvival/rescue procedure.3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shallmeet the requirements of this practice.3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies,state,local,or regional organizations;fire departments;andrescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing aminimum performance for personnel who respond to wateremergencies.3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotationdevice to perform this technique.These devices should con-form to standards set by the appropriate national regulatoryauthority,that is,the U.S.Coast Guard in the United States,and be in good and serviceable condition.3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in coldwater for prolonged periods of time.They are unable to get toshore or shore is too far away,rescue is not imminent,no boatis available to get into or on top of,and no flotsam is available.The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture toconserve heat and increase survival time.4.Procedure4.1 Upon initial immersion in cold water,the rescuer shouldcover the mouth and nose to prevent the aspiration of water.4.2 Float in a sitting position with the legs drawn up,kneestogether,and with the ankles crossed.4.3 Place arms against the sides of the torso,bent at theelbows,and across the chest.4.4 Remain calm and think clearly.4.5 Leave all clothing on.4.6 Wait for rescue.5.Keywords5.1 cold water survival;Heat Escape Lessening Posture(HELP)position;self-rescue technique;water rescue;waterrescuers1This practice 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 2007 as F172996(2007)DOI:10.1520/F1729-96R14.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 States.Individual reprints(single or multiple copies)of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585(phone),610-832-9555(fax),or serviceastm.org(e-mail);or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website(www.astm.org/COPYRIGHT/).F1729 96(2014)2