Lifebuoy
A lifebuoy is a life-saving equipment in the water rescue service. It is often used in indoor or outdoor pools, but also finds use in the aquatic environment and is standard on ships and bigger boats, where he is usually labeled legibly with the ship's name and usually also the home port. With fishing boats often comes to the Fisheries also mark. An annular buoyancy aid as a learning or gaming device, in contrast, referred to as the floating ring or other swimming devices. Lifebuoys are hollow or filled with foam. On ships also Corkrings were common, which were covered with canvas and painted.
Handling
With leash
Lifebuoys with linen are held at the end of the leash and thrown out of the ring by centrifugal casting over the being rescued, the ring can still be attracted to the victim.
Advantages:
- Easy to use
- Quickly ready for use
Disadvantage:
- Only possible with existing awareness
- Limited use radius
Without leash
The lifebuoy shall be cast out with the Catapulted to the victim, but can not be led to the victim. advantage:
- (Almost) available everywhere
- No inherent risk to the rescuer
Cons:
- Difficult handling
- Lots of exercise needed
- Only possible with existing awareness
Rescuers in the water
The lifeguard swims with the lifebuoy to the casualty. The rescuer places the upper arms on the ring and transported the casualty back to the shore or pool edge.
Advantages:
- (Almost) available everywhere
- Even unconscious persons possible
Cons:
- Lots of exercise needed
- Rescuer should wear into the water ( safety aspects)
History
The first draft of a rescue ring goes back to Leonardo da Vinci ( 16th century).
Alternatives
- Rescue Ball - foam ball or cube in a network on leash
- Rescue Rods - etc in swimming pools, often in combination with lifebuoy
- Life jacket - worn preventively on man, usually along with a harness
- Rescue sling - prevents slipping, simultaneously hoist in helicopter rescue
- Survival suit - worn preventively at the man, in addition prevents hypothermia