ASTM F1730-96(2020)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for a throwing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers who may be involved in rescue techniques at a water rescue emergency.
3.2 This water rescue technique can be utilized from land, boat, or any stable platform.
3.3 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide.
3.4 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, and regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.
3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary with the number and type of victims, and water conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for throwing a water rescue throwbag.
1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques for the water rescuer.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Mar-2020
- Technical Committee
- F32 - Search and Rescue
- Drafting Committee
- F32.02 - Management and Operations
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2020
Overview
ASTM F1730-96(2020), "Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag" provides a set of recommended procedures for executing a throw rescue using a water rescue throwbag. Developed by ASTM International, this guide aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of water rescue operations. It is intended for use by government agencies, regional and local organizations, fire departments, and all personnel involved in water rescue scenarios. The standard supports consistent, minimum performance criteria for responders and is aligned with internationally recognized principles of standardization under WTO TBT guidelines.
Key Topics
Scope of Application: The guide covers recommended procedures for using a throwbag in water rescue, suitable for situations where rescue must be performed from land, boats, or other stable platforms.
Personnel Requirements: All designated water rescuers are expected to be familiar with, and trained according to, the procedures outlined in this standard.
Throwbag Technique:
- Properly remove a length of rope from the bag and maintain a secure grip above the knot, ensuring no fingers are placed in loops or the rope is attached to the rescuer or other objects.
- The throwbag can be swung in various manners (underhand, overhand, or side-arm) to achieve the best distance and placement near the victim.
- The objective is to place the rope within easy reach of the person in need, slightly beyond or at the victim's position.
- Once the rope is secured by the victim, rescuers direct them to assume a safe position for retrieval and then pull the victim to safety at a controlled pace.
- Efficient techniques for multiple throws, such as pulling in the line without tangling and using water for added bag weight, are described.
Safety Advisory: The standard highlights that it does not cover all potential safety concerns, and users are responsible for adopting suitable safety, health, and environmental measures as well as compliance with regulatory requirements.
Applications
ASTM F1730-96(2020) is crucial for organizations and professionals responsible for water rescue, including:
- Fire and emergency medical departments involved in swift water or flood rescue
- Dedicated rescue teams operating near rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or urban waterways
- Government agencies tasked with establishing water rescue protocols and minimum training standards
- Search and rescue (SAR) units performing emergency response at water-related incidents
By following the standardized throwbag rescue procedures, organizations ensure responder safety, maintain a high level of competency, and enable coordinated action during critical water emergencies. The guide is also valuable for training new rescuers and serves as a benchmarking tool for evaluating performance during drills and real incidents.
Related Standards
- ASTM Water Rescue Standards: ASTM F1730-96(2020) is part of a broader series of ASTM standards addressing water rescue equipment and procedures, including other guides and test methods.
- Search and Rescue (SAR) Standards: This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue, which oversees documents relating to management and operations of rescue activities.
- International Standardization Principles: Developed in compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee guidelines, supporting interoperability and mutual recognition of water rescue techniques.
Keywords: water rescue, throwbag, water rescue throwbag, ASTM F1730-96, emergency response, water rescue procedures, rescue training, search and rescue standards
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider.
Lloyd's Register
Lloyd's Register is a global professional services organisation specialising in engineering and technology.
ABS Quality Evaluations Inc.
American Bureau of Shipping quality certification.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM F1730-96(2020) is a guide published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Guide for Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for a throwing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers who may be involved in rescue techniques at a water rescue emergency. 3.2 This water rescue technique can be utilized from land, boat, or any stable platform. 3.3 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide. 3.4 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, and regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies. 3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary with the number and type of victims, and water conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for throwing a water rescue throwbag. 1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques for the water rescuer. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for a throwing rescue to ensure the safety of all water rescuers who may be involved in rescue techniques at a water rescue emergency. 3.2 This water rescue technique can be utilized from land, boat, or any stable platform. 3.3 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide. 3.4 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, and regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies. 3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary with the number and type of victims, and water conditions. SCOPE 1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for throwing a water rescue throwbag. 1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques for the water rescuer. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F1730-96(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 47.080 - Small craft. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM F1730-96(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F1730-96(2014). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM F1730-96(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1730 − 96 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Guide for
Throwing a Water Rescue Throwbag
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1730; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.4 This guide is intended to assist government agencies,
state, local, and regional organizations; fire departments; res-
1.1 This guide covers the recommended procedures for
cue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a
throwing a water rescue throwbag.
minimum performance for personnel who respond to water
1.2 This guide is one in a series of water rescue techniques
emergencies.
for the water rescuer.
3.5 The procedure outlined in the document may vary with
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the number and type of victims, and water conditions.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Procedure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 The water rescuer shall make visual contact with the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
victim. Upon making visual contact, the rescuer shall ready the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
rope to throw and notify the victim by yelling, “rope.”
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1.1 To make the rope ready from the bag, the rescuer can
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
remove a portion equal to two arms’ length from the bag and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
firmly grasp the free end of the rope above the knot. Do not
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
place hand or fingers through the rope loop created by the knot
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
in the end of the rope. Do not attach the rope to anything
including the rescuer.
2. Terminology
4.2 Before releasing the bag of rope in the direction of the
2.1 waterrescuethrowbag,n—a rescue device comprised of
victim, the rescuer may swing the bag underhand, overhand, or
a storage bag having a flotation element and a length of line
in a side-arm fashion to establish clearance necessary for
attached.
throwing the rope.
2.1.1 Discussion—The line is randomly stuffed into the bag,
4.3 The rope bag should be thrown at or slightly beyond the
which will allow the line to feed out freely when the bag is
victim, thereby placing the rope within arm’s reach.
thrown. The line is held in one hand, while the bag is thrown
4.4 The rescuer shall maintain a firm grasp on one end of the
with the other.
rope,
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...