Upon removing an unresponsive guest from the water, how long should you assess for the presence of breathing and pulse?

When assessing for the presence of breathing and pulse after removing an unresponsive guest from the water, the guideline specifies that this evaluation should take approximately 10 seconds. This duration strikes a balance, allowing for a sufficient assessment without unduly delaying lifesaving interventions that may be necessary.

After ensuring the scene is safe and the individual is out of the water, the rescuer should check for breathing by observing the chest for rise and fall while simultaneously feeling for a pulse. Ten seconds provides enough time to make a reliable judgment, as vital signs can be assessed quickly yet effectively within this timeframe.

Using either too short a time, such as 5 seconds, may lead to missed signs of life, while a longer duration like 15 or 20 seconds could unnecessarily prolong the response to a critical situation, potentially reducing the victim’s chances of survival if they require immediate CPR or other interventions. Thus, 10 seconds is the optimal standard for this assessment.