How should rescuers react if visibility decreases significantly during a rescue operation?

When visibility decreases significantly during a rescue operation, it is critical for rescuers to pause and reassess the situation. This approach allows the team to evaluate the risks associated with continuing the operation under impaired visibility conditions. Reduced visibility can lead to increased dangers, such as not being able to see hazards in the water, not identifying the location of the victim accurately, or losing awareness of the surrounding environment.

Taking a moment to pause also allows for gathering additional information—it could involve seeking assistance, using communication devices to coordinate efforts more effectively, or waiting for conditions to improve. Rescuers should prioritize safety for both themselves and the individual they are attempting to rescue. Making informed decisions based on the current conditions is essential in maintaining a safe and effective rescue operation.

Other responses, such as relying on instinct or using flares to increase visibility, may lead to riskier situations rather than taking a thoughtful approach to reassessing the situation at hand.