What should you do before throwing a rescue buoy?

Assessing the distance to the victim is crucial before throwing a rescue buoy. This action allows the lifeguard to gauge how far the buoy needs to travel to reach the person in distress effectively. If the buoy is thrown too short or too far away, it may not reach the victim, potentially leading to further danger for them and complicating the rescue effort. Understanding the distance helps in making a more accurate throw, which can be a critical factor in ensuring the victim’s safety and facilitating a successful rescue.

While other actions, such as shouting for help or removing obstacles, may also be important in certain circumstances, they do not address the immediate requirement of delivering assistance via the buoy effectively. Ensuring the buoy is inflated is likewise a necessary factor, but it should be done as part of the usual equipment checks, not immediately before a rescue throw. The focus must be on delivering the buoy accurately to maximize the chances of a successful rescue.