A rescue swimmer is designated when the man overboard is ______ or ______.

A rescue swimmer is designated when the man overboard is ______ or ______.

• A. Injured
• B. Conscious
• C. Unconscious
• D. Injured or unconscious

Answer: (D)

The situation calls for a rescue swimmer when the person overboard cannot be safely recovered by surface procedures alone because they are injured or unconscious. A rescue swimmer is trained to enter the water, assess and stabilise the casualty, manage airway or breathing if needed, and prepare the person for rapid hoisting or retrieval. When the victim is conscious and able to assist or float, standard recovery methods by the boat crew are usually sufficient, so designating a swimmer isn’t necessary. Therefore, the best fit is injured or unconscious.

The situation calls for a rescue swimmer when the person overboard cannot be safely recovered by surface procedures alone because they are injured or unconscious. A rescue swimmer is trained to enter the water, assess and stabilise the casualty, manage airway or breathing if needed, and prepare the person for rapid hoisting or retrieval. When the victim is conscious and able to assist or float, standard recovery methods by the boat crew are usually sufficient, so designating a swimmer isn’t necessary. Therefore, the best fit is injured or unconscious.