Prehospital Emergency Medicine at the Beach: What Is the Effect of Fins and Rescue Tubes in Lifesaving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Rescue?

Objective To analyze the influence of fins and rescue tube use in a water rescue, assessed by time and distance to salvage position, physiological parameters, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods Twenty professional lifeguards (10 men, 10 women) conducted 3 tests: a baseline test of 5 minutes of CPR and 2 water rescues, 1 without rescue equipment (NRE), and the other with fins and rescue tube (FRT). They also had to perform 5 minutes of CPR after each rescue. Time and distance of the rescues, physiological parameters (blood lactate concentration and heart rate), and quality of CPR were analyzed. Results CPR quality worsened by 26 to 28% ( P P P P P = .031). Conclusions The use of fins and rescue tube provides a comprehensive benefit in an aquatic emergency. However, FRT did not have any effect on the quality of the postrescue CPR.