Why is establishing a timeline of 'when' an incident occurred important?

Establishing a timeline of 'when' an incident occurred is crucial because it may directly influence the potential for successful rescue or recovery operations. Timeliness is a key factor in surface water rescues, as the condition and status of a victim can deteriorate quickly in aquatic environments. This timeline can help rescuers make informed decisions about the feasibility of a rescue, assess the likelihood of survival, and deploy resources effectively, as certain critical time windows exist that may impact the outcome of the operation.

In contrast, while factors like negligence, legal documentation, and environmental conditions are all important aspects to consider in the broader context of an incident, they do not directly relate to the primary concern in rescue situations which is often centered around the immediacy of addressing the needs of the victim based on how much time has passed since the incident occurred.