Competitors Manual

** DRAFT **

11/18/00

NOTE:  Unless noted otherwise, all rules and competition conduct will be taken from the CLC 2000-2002 manual published by the Lifesaving Society.  Download the manual here.

Description of the Events

POOL SIMULATIONS:

All four team members will guard the pool for eight (8) to twelve (12) minutes during which time they must recognize and manage public relations incidents, water distress situations and aquatic and first aid emergencies. This event mirrors the pool simulations that are a standard part of the NLS program.

 A partial lock‑up system is in effect, with each set of simulations repeated several times within one grouping. All teams within the same division will receive the same simulation.

 Teams are provided 60 seconds to set up their pool deck prior to the start of the simulation. This time is for set up only. Teams are not expected to, nor should they, respond to anything they observe during this time.

 Major simulations are designed such that they may not be prevented. Some minor incidents may be prevented. Teams preventing a minor incident will receive full marks for that incident.

 Teams are to assume the actual bather load at the time of their simulation. The team should not assume the pool is clear at anytime if it isn't. If a scheduled incident cannot occur because a team has cleared the pool, the incident will not occur and no points will be awarded to the team for the incident. The decision of when to clear the pool is variable and depends on many factors including facility design, bather loads, and guarding levels. For the purposes of this competition, competitors should be aware that event organizers have designed their simulations such that if a patient is unconscious in the water, or non breathing anywhere in the facility, they are expecting the pool will be cleared.  A system for how competitors can clear the pool and ensure the pool stay clear will be given at the competitors meeting.

 Facility specific information such as the location of emergency phones, water feature control shut offs, etc. will be clarified for competitors at the Competitors' meeting.

FIRST AID EVENT

Teams will enter a staged accident scene and must assess and manage simulated patients and bystanders. Teams will not be told where the scene will be staged and it may be located indoors or outdoors.

 Teams will enter the accident scene one at a time at staggered times. Competitors will not know the order in which they will enter until they are in the marshaling area, immediately prior to the start of the simulation. The order in which the lifeguards will enter the scene will be determined by draw. Teams will not know when the second, third and fourth guards will enter the scene. The first guard entering the scene is not permitted to bring any equipment other than personal protective equipment such as gloves, a pocket mask, or protective goggles.

 The "trigger" for back‑up guards to enter the scene will be consistent for all teams. The "trigger" may be a predetermined time from the start of the simulation, or may be based on the time that backup was requested by the first guard.

 A partial lock up system is in effect, with each set of simulations repeated several times within one grouping. All teams within the same division will receive the same simulation. The simulation will last between 5 and 10 minutes.

 In the event that a judge concludes that a competitor's action or inaction would result in their own death, the competitor will be immediately retired from the event. The competitor will be asked to lie down on the spot. The competitor's teammates will be expected to assess and treat their "downed" teammate. Competitors will only be retired if they reasonably would be killed in the situation. In the event that more than one competitor on a single team is "downed", marks will only be available for the first competitor. Officials will immediately notify a team if they are providing treatment to a competitor who is not worth any marks.

 Skills taught and equipment used in the NLS and AEC programs will be sufficient to achieve full marks.

PRIORITY ACTION ASSESSMENT (PAA)

 Teams will enter the pool area and will have ninety (90) seconds to assess and treat patients in varying degrees of distress in and around the water. The emphasis of treatment is on maintaining basic life support while treating as many patients as possible in the allotted time. To receive full marks, teams should assess and treat those most seriously injured first.

A partial lock up system is in effect, with each set of simulations repeated several times within one grouping. All teams within the same division will receive the same simulation. The area that the competing teams are responsible for will be restricted to simulated victims and event officials.  The area will be clearly marked for all competitors.

 Patients are divided into three categories:

             Priority One: Patients in an immediately life‑threatening situation.

Examples include:

• Drowning non swimmer

• Complete Airway obstruction

• Arterial bleeding

• Cardiac or respiratory arrest

• Lost CHild

Priority Two: Patients with serious injuries who, while not in an immediately life‑

threatening situation may progress to become life‑threatening if left un­treated.

Examples include:

• Unconscious patients on land with breathing and pulse

• Conscious patients with head injuries

• Serious burns

• Moderate bleeding

• Compound fractures

• Progressive shock

• Partial Airway Obstruction

             Priority Three: Patients with minor injuries, or public relations problems. Examples include:

• Minor first aid such as small cuts, simple fractures, nose bleeds, slivers, sprained ankles, or stubbed toes.

• Public relations situations such as towel fights, running on deck, smoking or eating on deck.

 Teams are not required to verbally identify which category a patient is in.

 Scoring for the event is divided into two parts, Priority Points and Treatment Points:

 Priority Points: These points are based on how quickly a team assesses and begins effective patient management. To receive full marks, teams must begin assessment/ treatment of Priority One patients within 30 seconds, Priority Two patients within 60 seconds, and Priority Three patients within 90 seconds. Teams do not need to treat patients in any order, however if teams delay in treating higher priority patients they will score lower than teams who identify and treat these patients earlier. For the purpose of Priority points, timing will stop when the lifeguard begins to perform an effective assessment and takes appropriate action to deal with the situation. Many lower priority patients can be effectively managed without the lifeguard making physical contact with them.

 Treatment Points: These points are awarded for the appropriate assessment, care and handling of a patient. Points are also awarded for personal safety including the correct and appropriate use of barrier devices. Teams can achieve full marks with no supplies other than their own personal protective equipment.

 The total number of patients in the simulation will not be known to competitors. The event is a drill and is not intended to present a realistic situation. Teams are not required to make an emergency phone call, complete incident reports, clear the pool, or any other similar actions.

 INDIVIDUAL FIRST AID EVENT:

 This is a locked up event. Team members will compete individually and will be given approximately four minutes to deal with an injured victim. Each team member will compete in a separate block with the top individuals from each block proceeding to a final round. The four individual placings for each team will be combined for a total team score. Teams will be ranked for event points based on their total team score in Preliminaries. Awards will be presented to the top placing individuals in finals.

 Teams may bring in any equipment (with the exception of spine boards). Teams must divide equipment prior to marshaling as each team member will be expected to perform independently of the others. The simulation may occur anywhere including in the pool area, and patients may or may not be in the water.

 FITNESS EVENT I: (4 X 100 METRE RELAY)

The relay is a timed event. Each competitor will swim 100 m in the following order:

• 50m free style swim

• 50m tow of a passive victim (without a rescue can)

 Each team member must be a victim.

 Penalties: At the discretion of event organizers, time penalties may be awarded where they feel an unfair advantage was gained. These penalties, if assessed, will be reflective of the advantage gained or the severity of the violation.

  False starts will be restarted only on the first attempt at the start. The competitor who false starts on the second attempt at the start will be disqualified.

  All competitors must ensure that they or their equipment do not interfere with the progress of another competitor.

  All races will start with the same instruction. "Swimmers take your mark" followed by the start signal.

  Swimmers must touch the wall with either their hand(s) or feet at each turn. Competitive turns are permitted.

  Each swimmer is finished when the swimmer contacts (in any manner) the wall on the final length. The victim need not be placed on the deck or touch the wall, however, the victim must be in contact with the swimmer.

  Other than a bathing suit, swimming goggles and swimming cap, no other equipment is permitted during these events.

  The victims must be passive; this means no kicking, sculling, or gripping the swimmer. The victim must be face up at all times. The swimmer must be in contact with the victim throughout the carry.

 The victim must be in contact with the wall when the pick up occurs, however, he or she may not push off the wall. Swimmers must touch the wall at some point during the pick­up.