Water rescue refers to safety measures implemented to rescue drowning victims. It encompasses two main methods: indirect rescue (using equipment such as lifebuoys and bamboo poles) and direct rescue (personnel entering the water to rescue). The latter includes technical steps such as entering the water, swimming and approaching the drowning victim, freeing them, and towing them. The earliest international water rescue organization is the Royal Lifesaving Society of Great Britain, founded in 1891. In the United States, Japan, and many European countries, this responsibility is primarily undertaken by the Red Cross.
In Wuhan, China, a Red Cross water rescue station has been established and equipped with professional equipment such as inflatable boats, lifebuoys, rescue poles, and AEDs. The Wuhan Red Cross Society has set up a rescue station in the Hanjiang Bay, using drones for water area monitoring and early warning. On July 7, 2025, they completed a 4-minute emergency rescue by throwing a rescue rope. The Zhijiang Red Cross Society has implemented a "3326" river patrol and duty model, forming a team of 46 certified volunteers in 2024, equipping them with motorized kayaks, and training over 300 village-level safety officers.
