ASTM F1729-96(2020)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position
Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice establishes a single person cold water survival/rescue procedure.
3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this practice.
3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.
3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotation device to perform this technique. These devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable condition.
3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available. The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to conserve heat and increase survival time.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue procedure for performing the heat escape lessening posture (HELP) position.
1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-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 F1729-96(2020): Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position provides guidance for water rescuers in cold water emergencies. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines the recommended water rescue procedure for performing the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) position. The HELP position is a critical self-rescue technique designed to conserve body heat, increase survival time, and minimize risk during prolonged immersion in cold water. Compliance with this standard helps emergency response organizations and individuals meet minimum performance requirements for cold water rescue situations.
Key Topics
- Cold Water Survival Procedure: The practice establishes a step-by-step technique for single-person survival when trapped in cold water without immediate rescue options.
- HELP Position: Heat Escape Lessening Posture involves specific body positioning and the use of a personal flotation device (PFD) to reduce heat loss.
- Personal Flotation Devices: The standard mandates using PFDs that comply with relevant regulatory standards, such as those set by the U.S. Coast Guard, and emphasizes the importance of devices being in good and serviceable condition.
- Eligibility and Applicability: All identified water rescuers, including personnel from government agencies, fire departments, and regional or local rescue teams, are required to meet these guidelines.
- Safety and Best Practices: Users must establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental protocols and evaluate the applicability of other regulatory limitations when using this standard.
Applications
The ASTM F1729-96(2020) standard is widely used in various settings where cold water immersion risk is significant, including:
- Water Rescue Operations: Professional rescuers responding to marine, riverine, and flood emergencies use the HELP position to increase the chances of survival until rescue arrives.
- Training and Certification: Emergency response agencies, fire departments, and governmental organizations incorporate this standard into their training programs to ensure personnel are proficient in cold water survival techniques.
- Personal Water Safety: Individuals participating in boating, kayaking, or other water-based activities may employ the HELP position as a personal survival measure in the event of accidental cold water immersion.
- Policy Development: Organizations responsible for water safety standards use ASTM F1729-96(2020) to develop operating procedures and minimum responder competencies.
Related Standards
For comprehensive water rescue preparedness and cold water survival, organizations and individuals often reference these related standards:
- ASTM F2386: Standard Guide for Training for Personal Protective Equipment for Water Rescuers
- ASTM F2206: Standard Guide for Training of Personnel Operating Water Rescue Boats
- U.S. Coast Guard PFD Standards: Regulatory requirements for the design and maintenance of personal flotation devices used in water emergencies
- NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents
By following ASTM F1729-96(2020), water rescue organizations and individuals significantly enhance preparedness for cold water emergencies, ensuring higher levels of safety, heat retention, and survival for those awaiting rescue in challenging aquatic environments. This standard is essential for anyone involved in water rescue or at risk of accidental cold water immersion, reinforcing best practices and supporting compliance with internationally recognized water safety protocols.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM F1729-96(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 This practice establishes a single person cold water survival/rescue procedure. 3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this practice. 3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies. 3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotation device to perform this technique. These devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable condition. 3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available. The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to conserve heat and increase survival time. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue procedure for performing the heat escape lessening posture (HELP) position. 1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-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 practice establishes a single person cold water survival/rescue procedure. 3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this practice. 3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies. 3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotation device to perform this technique. These devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable condition. 3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available. The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to conserve heat and increase survival time. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue procedure for performing the heat escape lessening posture (HELP) position. 1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-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 F1729-96(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control; 47.080 - Small craft. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM F1729-96(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F1729-96(2014). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM F1729-96(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: F1729 − 96 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP
Position
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1729; 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 3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall
meet the requirements of this practice.
1.1 This practice covers the recommended water rescue
procedure for performing the heat escape lessening posture
3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies,
(HELP) position.
state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and
1.2 This practice is one in a set of self-rescue techniques for rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a
the water rescuer.
minimum performance for personnel who respond to water
emergencies.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotation
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
device to perform this technique. These devices should con-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
form to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
and be in good and serviceable condition.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available.
The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to
2. Terminology
conserve heat and increase survival time.
2.1 HELP position, n—heat escape lessening posture
(HELP) is a single person water rescue technique for heat
4. Procedure
conservation when immersed in cold water. This technique
conserves heat by using personal flotation devices, clothing, 4.1 Upon initial immersion in cold water, the rescuer should
and body
...




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