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Waterwork
International
Lifesaving Organization approved International K9 water rescue team
certification rules (edited version, recognized in 2012)
A K9 water rescue team consists
of a dog, who has successfully completed a formal training program in
K9 water rescue. The dog and the handler work as a unit assigned to
protect the life and safety on surf, non-surf and still water beaches
and at lakes or rivers. The K9 water rescue team will be annually
re-assessed by the country’s responsible body. The certificate is
specified to recognize only one handler and one unique dog, which has
been individually trained by the handler to attain the recognition as a
"ILS certificate K9 Water rescue team.”
The following is an outline of minimum competencies recommended by the
International Life Saving Federation for an operative K9 water rescue
team. ILS recognizes that many of its Member Federations have varying
standards, which may exceed these minimum competencies, given that
circumstances differentiate between each country. ILS encourages the
highest possible standards in lifesaving, and merely provides the
following as recommended minimum competencies.
Prerequisites:
The prerequisites for the handler for course attendance are as follows:
Minimum of 18 years of age, Member of the National Federation or a
recognized federation, Being the owner or trainer of the canine
qualifying for K9 Water rescue team, Being in the possession of a
wetsuit and fins for the handler and a floating device for the K9 with
sufficient buoyancy that guaranty a floating position when in the water.
The prerequisites for the canine for course attendance are as follows:
Training with the handler on a regular base in the water, A healthy
body weight minimum of 30kg and minimum aged 12 months, Up to date in
required vaccinations of the country and microchip or tattoo
identification, in appropriate health (an annual health certificate by
a veterinarian), of good temperament around people, dogs, animals,
places and a very strong non- aggressive attitude of the dog
All learning outcomes in an open water environment are with
wetsuit/flotation and harness for K9. If the handler doesn’t wear
a wetsuit, he must be equipped with a lifejacket.
Learning Outcome 1: Perform water-based skills in an open water environment.
1.1 Handler swims 400 meters using fins, is being towed or swims side
by side to the K9. The handler may aid the K9 by using the fins and
holding onto the K9 harness on both sides.
1.2 Handler supports the dog above water for at least 2 minutes.
1.3 Handler runs 200 – 300 meters along the beach (one or two
stops may be ordered) and performs a side by side swim with K9 for
minimum 100 meters.
Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate combined rescue without equipment in an open water environment.
Perform combined rescue technique in the following sequence:
1. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of
conscious, non-difficult victim, from a minimum of 100m away from shore.
2. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of
unconscious victim floating at surface level, from a minimum of 50m
away from shore.
Learning Outcome 3: Simulate the use of land-based rescue skills.
1. Lift unconscious patient and transport them over a minimum distance
of 25m from water edge using a recognized patient transport
technique (technique available in first aid instructions).
2. Know the procedure to contact the emergency service (country specific).
Learning Outcome 4: Perform emergency response techniques including resuscitation and first aid techniques.
1. Perform basic patient management techniques including:
Diagnosis & check for dangers (including environment, handler,
victim, K9 and crowd control), Reaction, Airways, Breathing and
Circulation (DRABC), Lateral position & patient rollover, Call for
help
2. Perform resuscitation techniques including: EAR (adults, children,
infant), CPR (adult, children, infant), one person CPR operation
3. Perform resuscitation techniques for K9 including:
EAR K9 – one person CPR K9
4. Identify and perform first aid techniques for managing injury and emergency
including: Patient management, identifying and managing injuries
(shock, fractures, arterial and venal bleeding, spinal injury etc.),
use of appropriate rescue and first aid equipment
5.The K9 must stand-by and wait, calmly and attentively, for further
direction from handler and not interfere with any part of the emergency
medical aid operation.
Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate combined rescue without equipment in an open water environment of two victims.
Perform combined rescue technique in the following sequence:
1. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of two
conscious victims (one difficult, one non-difficult) who are a minimum
of 100m away from shore and at least 50 meters apart from each other.
2. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of a
conscious and an unconscious victim who are a minimum of 50m away from
shore and at least 50m apart from each other. The unconscious victim
may wear gloves.
Learning Outcome 6: Demonstrate combined rescue with equipment in an open water environment.
Perform combined rescue technique in the following sequence:
1. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of
conscious victim that is minimum of 100m away from shore using a rescue
tool (fins, rescue tube, rescue board, life jacket, floating rope,
… )
2. Lifesaving entry with K9 side by side, then perform rescue of
unconscious victim that is minimum of 50m away from shore, using a
rescue tool (fins, rescue tube, rescue board, life jacket, floating
rope, …)
Learning Outcome 7: Towing a boat and a drifting boat.
1. Towing a boat (minimum 70kg boat with one person on board) minimum
100 meters from the handler. The canine may either pull the boat by
mouth or the rope may be attached to its flotation device.
2. Towing an empty drifting boat for a minimum of 60 meters.
Learning Outcome 8: Rescuing a person in distress by K9 bringing a floating device or rope to the victim
The K9 will take a floating device, floating rope, life jacket or a
rescue tube, on its own to a conscious victim in distress from a
distance of 50m. K9 tow the person back to shore or the handler may tow
the victim in if long floating rope was used.
Learning
Outcome 8: Demonstrate the use of a craft for rescue purposes. (Only K9
handler with a RESCUE BOAT DRIVER CERTIFICATE may use outboard engine
propelled rescue crafts)
1. Demonstrate the use of a boat for rescue purposes.
2. K9 must swim around boat untill the victim is on board and the handler takes the K9 in the boat.
4. Handler will pull the canine into the boat at the end of the rescue attempt, with ease and without any help.
Range of Variables:
There are a number of variables that will affect the performance and the assessment of the Learning Outcomes. These may include:
Safety of the K9
A "call off" can be made by the handler to the K9 for protection K9 or
the victim, the person doesn’t need to be rescued anymore or the
situation has changed and the dog must quit the action immediately and
return to the handler.
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