1- Talk: Without going into the water, encourage the victim to get to safety by swimming towards the side of the pool or the shore.
2- Throw: Throw a buoyant aid to the victim from the side of the pool or the shore, and calmly talk to them while bringing them back to safety.
3- Reach: From a dry, safe location, extend or throw a rescue object to the victim and pull them to safety. The object may be buoyant or non-buoyant and should be attached to a rope.
4- Wade: Wade into shallow water and extend a rescue aid to the victim, or enter deep water while holding onto a solid object and throw the rescue aid.
5- Row: If one is available, use a watercraft and row to the victim until you are close enough to extend a rescue object while staying in the craft.
6- Swim: If there is no watercraft you can use, swim to the victim and provide them with a buoyant aid. Calmly talk to them while bringing them back to safety without making direct or indirect contact. It is important to push the buoyant aid towards the victim; panic-stricken victims may try to grab onto you, thus endangering you.
7- Tow: If the victim is unable to go to a safe location without additional help, even while hanging onto a buoyant aid, tow them by pulling the other extremity of the object. Make sure you can quickly move away from the victim to ensure your own safety.
8- Carry: Swim to the victim and carry them to safety. Choose this technique as a last resort, since direct contact rescues are the most dangerous ones for lifeguards.