Contact Tows

There are situations when you have no choice but to use a close contact tow. This should only be a last resort as it puts you at some risk.

Some of these rescue tows are mainly taught in Germany. We like contact tows because they are reassuring to your casualty, even though the demand better skills. The closer the contact, the less drag you cause in the water as tow move like one.

Chin Tow

This is a close contact tow for a weak or fearful casualty. It feels reassuring to the casualty because you're very close. They can feel you below them and don't drift around in the water. You have your legs and one arm to push forward with.

The chin two has been a long-standing technique used in lifesaving. Historically, it was used for conscious casualties who may have wanted to feel more secure and where rescuers thought they needed extra control.

Should the casualty struggle, rescuers could control the casualty by putting their other hand underneath the casulaty's and and hold the should tight. This would result in the casualty holding onto the rescuers’ arm and stop struggling.

The chin tow could also be used on an unconscious casualty for better control, especially in moderate to turbulent water conditions so that control could be maintained and the casualty could be shielded from debris or objects in the water. Alternatively, a clothing tow or a tow with a suitable aid could be viable in turbulent water. In calm water, an extended arm tow is almost always a better option.

Cross Chest Tow

The cross chest tow allows for more control of the casualty and enabling the casualty to float higher out of the water. In rough water this tow keeps the casualty's face higher above the water. Reach over the shoulder and hold the casualty in between your arm and side. Use side stroke so you can also use your free arm for swimming.

Under Arm Tow

A variation of the cross chest tow is to hold the casualties higher out of the water by reaching around their chest under their arm. It is mainly used in swimming pool over a short distance.

The advantage is that the casualties are lifted quite high out of the water. This is more reassuring and may calm them down.

The downside is that the rescuer may be submerged under water which makes it more difficult to breathe and carries an element of risk. This is why we're not paricularly keen on this.

This tow should be learned, just in case you need it. But in most situations you're better off using a different recue tow from this page.

Head Tow

This is a tow for a cooperative casualty. Holding the head gives good control and feels reassuring to the casualty.

The drawback is that you only have your legs to push forward with.

Don't use this tow when you suspect a spinal injury.

Shoulder Tow

This is a robust and safe rescue tow. While swimming backstroke, you hold the casualty below the arms and rest their shouldrs on your front.

There is another tow for a weak or non-swimmer who needs to be taken across deeper water. Ask the casualty to hold on to your shoulders or waist whilst you swim with normal breaststroke. Only use this tow with people you can trust to behave and not to panic.

Push a Co-operative Casualty

Approach your casualty from the front, tell him/her to hold on to your shoulders whilst you swim with normal breaststroke. The advantage is that you can keep an eye on your casualty and they can see you which is very reassuring. A variation is where you hold casualties under the armpits and push forward. When you reach the poolside, you can immediately put them into a support position facing you, ready for liftout by a helper. This is how they do in the Netherlands.

Only use this tow with people you can trust to behave and not to panic.