# Contact Tows

Part of the Lifesaving Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/index.md)

*Swimming Rescues (Conscious)*

> **11.** Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his or her condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.

> **11a.** Perform an armpit tow for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer resting with a back float.

> **11b.** Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted, responsive subject treading water.

Contact tows are the rescues where you physically hold the victim and swim them to safety — no equipment, no flotation device, just your body and your training. These are the most physically demanding rescues you will learn, and they require a cooperative (or at least non-combative) victim.

Notice the key distinction in these requirements: you start **in the water near the subject,** not from shore. This simulates a scenario where you are already swimming nearby when someone gets into trouble.

### Before You Make Contact

Even though these rescues involve direct contact, you still follow the same communication protocol:

1. **Speak first:** "Hey, are you okay? Do you need help?"
2. **Assess:** Is the person calm? Tired? Panicking? The requirement specifies cooperative victims — a calm, tired swimmer (11a) and an exhausted but responsive person (11b).
3. **Give instructions:** "I'm going to help you. Roll onto your back and relax." or "I'm going to hold you and swim you to shore. Try to stay still."
4. **Reassure:** "You're going to be fine. I've got you."

### Requirement 11a: Armpit Tow

The armpit tow is used for a **calm, cooperative victim who is already floating on their back.** This is the gentlest of the contact rescues — the victim does most of the floating while you provide propulsion.

**Step by step:**
1. **Position yourself** behind the victim's head while they float on their back.
2. **Reach under one of their arms** and grasp the armpit area — your hand cups their armpit from underneath with your palm against their upper back.
3. **Keep the victim's face above water.** Their back float does most of the work.
4. **Swim on your back or side** using a modified backstroke kick or sidestroke kick. Your free arm can stroke if needed.
5. **Kick steadily** toward shore. Do not rush — this is a controlled, calm tow.
6. **Talk to the victim** throughout: "Just relax. Keep floating. I'm swimming us to the edge."

> **Tip**
>
> The armpit tow works best when the victim truly relaxes. If they tense up and try to help by kicking, their movements can interfere with yours. Encourage them to lie still and let you do the work.

### Requirement 11b: Cross-Chest Carry

The cross-chest carry is used for an **exhausted victim who is still responsive but cannot float unassisted.** This is a more controlling hold that supports the victim's body while you swim.

**Step by step:**
1. **Approach from behind.** Position yourself at the victim's back.
2. **Reach your dominant arm across the victim's chest** — your arm goes diagonally from one of their shoulders to the opposite side of their ribcage, under the arm.
3. **Lock the victim against your hip.** Their back rests against your side.
4. **Lean back slightly** to bring the victim into a back-float position. Your body provides the buoyancy and angle.
5. **Swim using the sidestroke** — your non-dominant arm pulls through the water while your legs do the scissor kick.
6. **Keep the victim's mouth and nose above water** at all times.
7. **Communicate:** "I've got you. Stay still and let me swim."

![A rescuer performing a cross-chest carry, with the victim on their back against the rescuer's hip, both faces above water](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/cross-chest-carry?v=1d2f8a96)

### Key Differences

| Element | Armpit Tow | Cross-Chest Carry |
|---|---|---|
| Victim condition | Calm, floating on back | Exhausted, treading water |
| Grip | One hand under armpit | Arm across chest, locked at hip |
| Your swimming position | On your back or side | On your side (sidestroke) |
| Control over victim | Minimal — they float independently | High — you control their body position |
| Energy required | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Tired swimmers who can float | Exhausted swimmers who cannot float |

### Building the Physical Skills

Both tows require strong kicking and core endurance. Here are ways to prepare:

**Training Exercises** — Build the strength and stamina you need

- [ ] Kick sets with a kickboard — 200 yards of sidestroke kick, 200 yards of backstroke kick
- [ ] Partner tows — practice towing a friend across the pool using each technique
- [ ] Treading water — build endurance by treading for 2 minutes without stopping
- [ ] Core exercises on land — planks, flutter kicks, and bicycle crunches all help with in-water stability
- [ ] Distance swimming — the more comfortable you are in the water, the more effective you will be as a rescuer

> **Safety First!**
>
> Contact tows should only be performed on cooperative victims. If a victim begins to panic and grab at you during a contact tow, immediately release them, submerge to escape, and revert to the lead-and-wait technique from [Req 10](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/req10/). Never fight a panicking victim in the water.

> **Did You Know?**
>
> The cross-chest carry has been a standard lifesaving technique for over 100 years. It was one of the original rescue methods taught by the Royal Life Saving Society in England in the 1890s — and the basic mechanics have hardly changed since then because they work so well.

[American Red Cross — Swimming & Water Safety](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html): Water safety resources including rescue techniques and swimming safety guidance.

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- Previous: [Lead-and-Wait Techniques](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/req10/index.md)
- Next: [Escape Techniques](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/lifesaving/guide/req12/index.md)