Abstract: A rescue mat for use in an in-ground swimming pool includes a horizontally disposed mat extending across at the corners of the deepest end of the swimming pool to the start of the shallow end, attachable at the corners of the mat. The mat being connected to the wall surface of the swimming pool by a plurality of hook connectors are attached to a plurality of wheels in tracks disposed at the corners and start of shallower end of swimming pool so that when rescue mat is activated a person may be lifted safely from the bottom of the pool. Lifting is achieved by surface mounted hoists connected to wheels by a plurality of cables.