The Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs (SICS) has gained worldwide recognition for training elite Newfoundlands as certified lifeguards, and one of the most spectacular skills these dogs develop is the ability to leap from hovering helicopters into the open sea to quickly reach victims, a high-risk maneuver they perform with precision and bravery.
These dogs have unique characteristics that make them ideal for water rescue: webbed paws that act like fins, a powerful “breaststroke” that allows them to swim long distances, and tremendous strength that enables them to tow up to 30 people in a boat, proving that a single animal can make the difference between life and death.
Operating as “six-legged teams” alongside their human handlers, these canine units save dozens of lives each year, and their training, which can last up to 18 months, focuses on an innovative “dolphin system” in which the dog provides all the propulsion, allowing the human lifeguard to conserve energy for medical emergencies.
