Do Longer Fins Improve Ocean Rescues? A Comprehensive Investigation into Lifeguard Performance and Physiological Impact

Overview

Journal J Funct Morphol Kinesiol

Date 2024 Apr 23

PMID 38651437

Authors

Isaac Ignacio-Rodriguez

Roberto Barcala-Furelos

Ezequiel Rey

Marcos Sanmartin-Montes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Coastal environments present dynamic challenges necessitating rapid and efficient responses during aquatic emergencies. Lifeguards, as pivotal links in the intervention chain, rely on various tools, with rescue time being paramount. The choice of fins, specifically long versus short ones, plays a critical role in optimizing lifeguard performance during rescues. This randomized cross-over study explores the impact of flipper size on ocean rescues, employing a sample of 14 lifeguards. Long fins (LFs) and short fins (SFs) were compared in terms of rescue time (RT) and physiological load (PL). Tests included ocean rescues without fins (R), with LF (R-LF), and with SF (R-SF). Variables recorded encompassed swim approach time, tow-in time, overall rescue time, perceived exertion rates (RPEs), and post-rescue lactate concentration. Long fins demonstrated superior performance in swim approach and tow-in times compared to both short fins and no fins ( < 0.001). Overall rescue time favored long fins significantly ( < 0.001), indicating their efficiency in practical ocean rescue scenarios. Physiologically, long fins induced lower perceived exertion in arms ( = 0.033) compared to short fins. Lactate concentrations post-rescue revealed no significant differences ( > 0.05). This study demonstrates that long fins significantly improve lifeguard performance during ocean rescues, reducing rescue times and alleviating arm fatigue.

References

Saborit J, Soto M, Diez V, Sanclement M, Hernandez P, Rodriguez J . Physiological response of beach lifeguards in a rescue simulation with surf. Ergonomics. 2010; 53(9):1140-50. DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2010.502255. View

Chatard J, Senegas X, Selles M, Dreanot P, Geyssant A . Wet suit effect: a comparison between competitive swimmers and triathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995; 27(4):580-6. View

Morgan D, Ozanne-Smith J . Surf lifeguard rescues. Wilderness Environ Med. 2013; 24(3):285-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2013.02.001. View

Heck H, Mader A, Hess G, Mucke S, Muller R, Hollmann W . Justification of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold. Int J Sports Med. 1985; 6(3):117-30. DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025824. View

Zamparo P, Pendergast D, Termin B, Minetti A . How fins affect the economy and efficiency of human swimming. J Exp Biol. 2002; 205(Pt 17):2665-76. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205.17.2665. View

Szpilman D, Webber J, Quan L, Bierens J, Morizot-Leite L, Langendorfer S . Creating a drowning chain of survival. Resuscitation. 2014; 85(9):1149-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.05.034. View

Abelairas-Gomez C, Barcala-Furelos R, Mecias-Calvo M, Rey-Eiras E, Lopez-Garcia S, Costas-Veiga J . Prehospital Emergency Medicine at the Beach: What Is the Effect of Fins and Rescue Tubes in Lifesaving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Rescue?. Wilderness Environ Med. 2017; 28(3):176-184. DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2017.03.013. View

Rejman M, Wiesner W, Silakiewicz P, Klarowicz A, Abraldes J . Comparison of temporal parameters of swimming rescue elements when performed using dolphin and flutter kick with fins - didactical approach. J Sports Sci Med. 2013; 11(4):682-9. PMC: 3763315. View

Quan L, Wentz K, Gore E, Copass M . Outcome and predictors of outcome in pediatric submersion victims receiving prehospital care in King County, Washington. Pediatrics. 1990; 86(4):586-93. View

10.

Dahl A, Miller D . Body contact swimming rescues--what are the risks?. Am J Public Health. 1979; 69(2):150-2. PMC: 1619051. DOI: 10.2105/ajph.69.2.150. View

11.

Foster C, Florhaug J, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin L, Parker S . A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res. 2001; 15(1):109-15. View

12.

Lopez-Garcia S, Ruibal-Lista B, Palacios-Aguilar J, Santiago-Alonso M, Prieto J . Relationship between the Performance in a Maximum Effort Test for Lifeguards and the Time Spent in a Water Rescue. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(7). PMC: 8036318. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073407. View

13.

Claesson A, Karlsson T, Thoren A, Herlitz J . Delay and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in surf lifeguards after simulated cardiac arrest due to drowning. Am J Emerg Med. 2010; 29(9):1044-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2010.06.026. View

14.

Barcala-Furelos R, Szpilman D, Palacios-Aguilar J, Costas-Veiga J, Abelairas-Gomez C, Bores-Cerezal A . Assessing the efficacy of rescue equipment in lifeguard resuscitation efforts for drowning. Am J Emerg Med. 2016; 34(3):480-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.12.006. View

15.

Claesson A, Lindqvist J, Herlitz J . Cardiac arrest due to drowning--changes over time and factors of importance for survival. Resuscitation. 2014; 85(5):644-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.02.006. View

16.

Suominen P, Baillie C, Korpela R, Rautanen S, Ranta S, Olkkola K . Impact of age, submersion time and water temperature on outcome in near-drowning. Resuscitation. 2002; 52(3):247-54. DOI: 10.1016/s0300-9572(01)00478-6. View

17.

Pendergast D, Mollendorf J, Logue C, Samimy S . Evaluation of fins used in underwater swimming. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2003; 30(1):57-73. View

18.

Zamparo P, Pendergast D, Termin A, Minetti A . Economy and efficiency of swimming at the surface with fins of different size and stiffness. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2005; 96(4):459-70. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-005-0075-7. View

19.

Szpilman D, de Barros Oliveira R, Mocellin O, Webber J . Is drowning a mere matter of resuscitation?. Resuscitation. 2018; 129:103-106. DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2018.06.018. View

20.

Reilly T, Iggleden C, Gennser M, Tipton M . Occupational fitness standards for beach lifeguards. Phase 2: the development of an easily administered fitness test. Occup Med (Lond). 2005; 56(1):12-7. DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqi168. View