lfr rescue diver manual

Littleton Fire Rescue

Rescue Diver Training Manual Water Rescue Team,

Rescue Diver ManualWater Rescue Team

May 2011


ForewardIt is the mission of the Littleton Fire/Rescue Dive Team to provide swift, efficient and safe Water Rescue Response to the community we serve.

As a rapid response team, we understand that the success of our mission is equal to the amount of dedication each team member makes to prepare in a manner consistent with the industry standards.

For this reason the LFR Dive Team has adopted the disciplines covered within this manual in order to standardize equipment, training, response and readiness of the team as a whole and also each individual.


Rescue Diver

Table of Contents

1. Overview

2. Pre-Requisites

3. Qualification Standards

4. Equipment

5. Operations

6. Glossary

7. Taskbook

8. Skills

9. Dive Log


Rescue DiverLittleton Fire RescueDive TeamRescue Diver Qualification Manual

1. Overview

Objective:To educate and maintain Rescue Divers which meet a minimum standard that is set specifically by the Littleton Fire Rescue Dive Team.

Introduction:Underwater rescue emergencies present dramatic challenges to every member of a rescue team. Under these dynamic and challenging conditions it is critical to the success of the operation for all Rescue Divers to perform in an identical manner.

Defining team standards for each of the roles of a water rescue emergency allow all team members to train specifically for future operations. This type of training provides predictable performance which spans all members with identical qualifications.

2. Pre-Requisites

Rescue Diver Physical Standard:500 Meter Swim within 15 minutes15 Minute tread water with last two minutes maintaining hands out of the water.Annual Dry Suit and BCD skill proficiency test.

Rescue Diver Operational Standard:Equipment familiaritySearch Pattern recognition and ability to distinguish and execute preferred patternAbility to perform role as Safety Diver

3. Qualification Standards

In order to be a LFR qualified Rescue Diver, the following standards must be met.

• Completion of the formal LFR Rescue Diver Qualification Course• Successful completion of the LFR Rescue Diver Task Book.• Successful completion of the LFR Rescue Diver qualification written test.• A minimum of at least 3 dives annually as a Rescue Diver


4. Equipment

It is the LFR standard that all Rescue Divers dress in an identical manner with the identical equipment in order to create a predictable operation for both divers and diver tenders.

All divers will dress with:Dive Underwear Dry bootiesDry suit

HoodGlove linersRubber gloves

In addition to their BCD, all divers will be additionally equipped with:

A dive knife strapped to their legA set of fins A set of fin keepersA DUI weight harness with the appropriate amount of weightA rescue harness with an attachment for the tagline with a quick release (all dive operations require a quick release with the exception of under ice dives which will utilize a locking carabineer.) (Open vs. closed system)

5. Operations

Rescue Diver Pre Dive Briefing:Prior to every dive the rescue diver will review the operational objective which will include all details regarding the target to be located, the type of pattern to be used, the expected handling of the target. In addition the standard safety procedures will be reviewed which include, backup line signals and the rule of thirds.

Target Details:• Type of object –

person or vehicle (watercraft or otherwise)

• Specifics – clothing and color or type and color• The type of activity the person was doing prior to them becoming lost.• Any attempts to locate or assist the person prior to or immediately

following their submersion.


Search Patterns:

Pattern DiagramSweep – the easiest type of pattern to control for the Communications Specialist.

Boat Based Circular – adapted for all types of object search from boat

Parallel – suited for flat shore terrain.

Snag – used for locating objects of large size


Target Handling:• Bring to the surface for immediate medical attention• Locate for recovery with BRS• Locate for salvage operation

Backup Line Signals:

# of Tugs Tender to Diver Diver to Tender

1 Are you ok? I’m ok

2 Change Direction Give me Slack

3 Come to the surface Found the target

4 Danger on the surface Help Rule of Thirds:

• Work for 1000• Return 1000• Surface at 1000 psi

Rescue Diver Operations:After rescue divers have completed the pre dive briefing they will be placed into their operating position by their Communications Specialist. (CS)

Diver Placement: Primary Diver:

• Divers will swim towards the last seen point on their backs facing the CS.• The diver will have their BCD inflated and be breathing off their Gill.


Safety Diver:• The Safety Diver will be fully suited up, in the water and in close

proximity to the Primary Diver's Tether.• The Safety Diver's BCD will be deflated for quick submersion.• The Safety Diver will be breathing on their Gill.

Active Dive:

• Once the diver has reached the last seen point, the diver will be sent out an additional distance of approximately 15 feet to account for the drift of the victim.


• The diver will then quickly descend to the bottom. (This prevents drift off of target)

• The diver will visualize the area during descent in an effort to locate the target before visibility is disturbed.

• After their descent, the diver will attempt to gain neutral buoyancy just off the bottom.

• The Diver will give depth and pressure report to CS prior to beginning the determined pattern.

• The diver will utilize the LFR Order Model of “Receive, Acknowledge and Repeat” with all directions given by the CS.

• The diver will then be drawn by the Line Tender through the area of highest probability.

• If the diver doesn’t locate the victim in that area, The diverThe diver will begin a search pattern at the direction of the CS. (Right or Left)

• The diver will change direction by order from the CS and will keep constant tension on their tag line.

Target Located:• When the diver locates the target they will notify the CS.• The Diver will briefly investigate the surrounding area and the target.• If the target is to be brought to the surface by the diver the diver will

secure the target and request to be assisted to the surface.• The diver will maintain a safe ascent speed with the target.


Distressed Diver:

Water operations are inherently dangerous and pose special hazards to Dive Team members. Both the Tender and the Safety Diver will continuously monitor the status of the Primary Diver for signs of distress. If there is any indication of distress, the tender will attempt to assist the Primary Diver in troubleshooting and problem solving prior to dispatching the Safety Diver..

In the event the Safety Diver is dispatched to assist a distressed diver, the following procedures will be followed.:

• An additional Rescue Unit will be requested to care for the Diver.• The 90% Diver will be placed into the position of the Safety Diver.• Notification will be made to the Dive Team Leader through Dispatch.• An additional Dive Rescue Team response should be considered.

Distressed Diver considerations are as follows:

1. FACTORS: Many factors play into the highly stressful job the Public Safety Diver encounters with the anytime/anywhere response. Divers can go through psychological factors such as increased situational stress, diver near misses, hypothermia and difficult or loss of verbal communication. Dangerous environmental condition can also be contributing factors with cold, currents, entanglement or entrapment, limited air supply, equipment malfunctions, black water (zero or limited visibility) and contaminated water.

2. DECISIONS: Public Safety Divers have the obligation and choice to make a no-dive decision at any time with no criticism or punitive judgment. Diver safety is imperative

3. RECOGNITION: In order to recognize a distressed diver situation two things must take place. The chain of events leading to it must be noticed, and the signs of a distressed diver must be dealt with immediately. The recognition of the signs identifiable by the diver, back-up diver, as well as the communication specialist and I.C. can decrease the likelihood of a diver fatality. Detection of events may begin even prior to


entry into the water with signs of diver uncertainty, difficulty with gear and confusion regarding the mission. Once in the water, detection is even more difficult, relying on the communication specialist, back-up diver and primary diver to recognize these and other signs or events.

4. SIGNS: Signs of a distressed diver include but are not limited to diver appears uncomfortable, difficulty with gear pre or post immersion, rapid breathing, poor or erratic search pattern performance, voice inflection changes with communications, excessive air bubbles noted on the surface and diver complaining of any physical situations i.e. bubble head, entanglement, mission execution, cold, pain or fatigue.

5. Actions: When a distressed diver situation occurs (and it will) the primary diver must immediately stop, think, relax and control their breathing. If any of these conditions or others are present pre or post immersion that event must be controlled without delay up to deployment of the back up diver and including aborting the mission. Priority is always diver, team and then victims. In the event of entrapment or fouled comm. line the diver should attempt to resolve the issue independently, often times deploying the back-up diver in blackwater/zero-visability only complicates the situation. The diver must inform topside of the situation and remedy attempt, the comm. specialist must inform the I.C.. In the event of a fouled line the diver should follow the line to the entanglement being careful of not to get tangled in the line, once free a solution to address the entanglement must be instituted ie. elevate line, remove object or place diver at object keeping in mind this may alter the search corridor and should be documented. In the event the back-up diver is deployed the situation should be understood and action plan developed with proper equipment in tow ie. lift bag, RIT bottle or extrication tools. In the event communication is lost line


signals will be utilized with the diver holding the line with a fist to indicate low or no air situation and the OK signal to indicate entrapment. With deployment of the back-up diver the 90% diver will be made ready to splash; as with any diver deployment risk/benefit analysis must be considered as well as resource availability in the event of further deterioration of the situation.

6. Diver assessment: All divers including distressed divers must undergo a pre dive vital

sign assessment and post dive Rapid Field Neurological evaluation including a second vital sign assessment with consideration of 02 administration.

Night dive operations:Night Operations offer additional challenges. Reduced visibility on shore can hinder rescuers by limiting use of far shore reference points as well as near shore staging, near shore reference points and operational hazard identification.

All these things need to be considered when operations occur near dusk or have the possibility to extend into dark hours. Be sure to have contingency plans to overcome as many of these obstacles as possible.


Plans need to be established prior to night operations to insure additional lighting resources are on scene prior to dusk and that they provide enough light as near to the operation as possible.

Serious consideration needs to take place to evaluate the benefit of conducting dive operations after dark. Night time conditions increase the risk to both the diver and shore support personnel. Some things to consider to make a go - no go decision are:

1. Is there a potential rescue 2. Is there good information to conduct a successful dive. (Last Seen Point) 3. If there is no rescue, does evaluation of the scene and the operation limit risk to the

diver. 4. All go - no go decisions need to be made on scene by LFR Dive Team personnel.

Body Recovery System: Use of the Body Recovery System (BRS) can take place in the water both shallow and at depth or near shore. It can also be used for animals as well as people. The BRS provides both a means of moving a body from one location to another, but also provides privacy for both the victim and the family.

All divers need to be familiar with the operation of this equipment and understand how to utilize it when the time presents itself.

Be sure no matter where the victim is to be placed into the BRS that the victim is secured and cannot be lost by the crew. If a tag line is utilized, it is best to attach the tagline around the victims torso. The best way to set the system up prior to using it is to:

1. Unfold the system and insure that there are no tangles. 2. Unzip the system and fold it inside out. 3. Roll the BRS up into a tight ball. 4. When at the victims side, place the BRS between you and the victim. 5. Move the victim into the bag and secure the inner straps around the victim. 6. Unfold the bag around the victim. 7. Roll bag around the victim and zip the system closed.


If the victim is to be raised from depth with the lift system, be sure that all connections are secure prior to lifting. Also be sure that there is no one or nothing above the BRS prior to filling the lift bag with air. Be sure to fill the lift bag slowly as it approaches the surface the air within the bag will expand and could cause the BRS to accelerate out of control. This sudden accelerated surfacing of the BRS could cause it to loose the air from within the lift system and the BRS may sink.

Post Dive Briefing

All dives will conclude with a briefing which will identify operational strengths and weaknesses. This will be accomplished in the following manner.

• Short "Tailgate" briefing:Informal to discuss response, equipment and personnel issues which need to be resolved prior to returning to service.

• Completion of an After Action Report (AAR)Should include photosLessons learnedRecommendations for future operations.

Summary

Being a rescue diver is a hazardous occupation. As educated team members we can reduce our risk and increase the success of our operations by constantly reviewing existing operating procedures, keeping equipment well maintained, keeping familiar with our equipment and continually learning more about our trade.

It is every team members responsibility to make every operation, whether it is training or an emergency, as safe as possible.


6. Glossary

Air Sharing - The sharing of an air supply between divers.

Bottom Time - The total elapsed time measured in minutes from the time when the diver leaves the surface in descent to the time the diver begins a direct ascent to the surface.

Bounce Dive - A dive of relatively short duration. Generally less than 10 minutes.

Buoyant Ascent - An ascent made using some form of positive buoyancy.

Certified Diver - A diver who holds a recognized valid certification from an organizational member of recognized certifying agency.

Controlled Ascent - Any one of several kinds of assents including normal, swimming, and air sharing where the diver(s) maintain control so a pause or stop can be made during the ascent.

Decompression Chamber - A pressure vessel for human occupancy. Also called a Hyperbaric chamber or Recompression chamber.

Decompression Sickness - A condition with a variety of symptoms which may result from gas and bubbles in the tissues of divers after pressure reduction.

Decompression Table - A profile or set of profiles of depth-time relationships for ascent rates and breathing mixtures to be followed after a specific depth-time exposure or exposures. These profiles are based on theoretically safe nitrogen/inert gas absorption and elimination times. (also called dive tables.)

Dive - A descent into the water, an underwater diving activity utilizing compressed gas, an ascent, and return to the surface.

Dive Computer- A microprocessor based device which computes a diver's theoretical decompression status, in real time, by using pressure(depth) and time as input to a decompression model, or set of decompression tables, programmed into the device.

Dive Location - A surface or vessel from which a diving operation is conducted.

Dive Master - A certified diver with experience and training to conduct the diving operation and who has been designated to be in charge of the diving operation by the Diving Safety Officer. This term is interchangeable with "lead diver" as used in the AAUS manual.

Dive Site - The physical location of a diver during a dive.

Dive Platform - A surface or vessel from which a diving operation is conducted.


Diver - An individual in the water who uses apparatus which supplies breathing gas at ambient pressure.

Diver-Carried Reserve Breathing Gas - A diver-carried independent supply of air or mixed gas (as appropriate) sufficient under standard operating conditions to allow the diver to reach the surface, or another source of breathing gas, or to be reached by another diver.

Diver-In-Training - An individual gaining experience and training in additional diving activities under the supervision of a dive team member experienced in those activities.

Dive Tables - See "Decompression Tables".

Dive Team - Divers and support individuals who are exposed to or control the exposure of others to hyperbaric conditions.

Diving - see "Dive".

Diving Mode - The type of diving employed during a dive. Operational, Training

Emergency Ascent - An ascent made under emergency conditions where the diver exceeds the normal ascent rate. Hyperbaric Chamber - See decompression chamber.

Hyperbaric Conditions - Pressure conditions in excess of normal atmospheric pressure.

Lead Diver - The certified scientific diver with experience and training to conduct the diving operation. This term is interchangeable with Dive Master.

Liveboating - The practice of supporting a diver from a vessel which is underway.

Maximum Working Pressure - The maximum pressure to which a pressure vessel may be exposed under standard operating conditions.

No-Decompression Limits - The theoretical depth-time limits of a dive, specified by a table or model, from which a diver can return directly to the surface at a control rate without being required to spend time at shallower depths to allow inert gas to be eliminated from the body.

Normal Ascent - An ascent made with an adequate air supply at a rate of 60 feet per minute or less.

Open Circuit SCUBA - No portion of the breathing gas is rebreathed.


Pressure-Related Injury - An injury resulting from pressure disequilibrium within the body as the result of hyperbaric exposure. Examples include: decompression sickness, pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, air embolism, subcutaneous emphysema, or ruptured eardrum.

Pressure Vessel - See cylinder.

Psig - pounds per square inch gauge.

Recompression Chamber - A pressure vessel for human occupancy such as a surface recompression chamber, closed bell, or deep diving systems used to recompress divers and to treat decompression sickness.

Recreational Diving - All diving conducted for leisure purposes and diving associated with the Physical Education curriculum (see section 8).

Reserve Breathing Gas - An emergency supply of breathing gas. A supply system of air or mixed gas (as appropriate) which is independent of the primary supply system and sufficient to support divers for ascent including any planned decompression stops.

Skin Diving - A diving mode in which the diver is equipped with mask, fins and snorkel, but which does not involve the use of compressed breathing gas as would be used in SCUBA or Surface Supplied Diving.

Scuba Diving - A diving mode independent of surface supply in which the diver uses open circuit self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - Those rules, regulations, policies and procedures as are written and described in this manual, i.e. ECU Diving Manual.

Standby Diver - A diver at the dive location capable of rendering assistance to a diver in the water.

Swimming Ascent - An ascent which can be done under normal or emergency conditions accomplished by simply swimming to the surface.

Working Pressure - The normal pressure at which the system is designed to operate.

7. Skills


1. Safety• All skills will be performed in less than 4 feet of water to prevent rapid ascent. (Note-

Embolus can occur in shallow water.)• All skills will be performed in pairs, for assistance as well as acting as each others

safety.2. Skills Evaluation

• Donning of equipment• Utilize quick reference sheet to determine correct equipment• Proper pre-dive checks

• Skills performance evaluation• neutral buoyancy control (oral / power) inflation, at the surface proper

weighting is eye level with normal breathing. (an empty/near empty dive tank has approximately 2-3 lbs of lift. Adjust weights accordingly.

• descent procedures - acronym - SOS To Ascend (Signal, Orientate, Swithch from snorkel to regulator, check Time, Descend with raised inflator feet first.

• ascent procedures - acronum - SOS to Ascend (Signal, Look Overhead, Slowly ascend @ 20 ft/min, check Time and Ascend with raised inflator hose)

• buoyancy skills - hovering and fin pivot (30 seconds)• dry suit buoyancy control and emergency procedures (i.e. hose disconnect or

flooding). Diver adds air to suit, inverts then recovers with knees to chest, transitions air from legs to torso (fin keepers).

• full face mask (removal / switch to regulator / clearing full face mask / replace full face mask).

• buoyancy control device (removal / replacement) on surface and bottom.• review out of air procedure - acronym - No Air Can Be Bad. (Normal ascent,

Alternate air, Controlled ascent-with weights, Buddy breath and Buoyant ascent.)• controlled emergency swimming

ascent procedure (simulate out of air/ signals / ascends / continuous exhaling (aaaaahhhh sound)/ surfaces / inflates BC orally using bobbing technique) Always ditch weights at the surface if you are out of air.

• Review emergency buoyant ascent procedures (simulate out of air / signals / drops weights / ascends / continuous exhaling (aaaahhhh sound)/ surfaces / inflates BC orally using bobbing technique) This skill is hazardous and should be performed with a Public Safety Scuba Instructor.

• Recreational Dive Skills


• Water entry-controlled seated, giant stride, back roll and feet first (from height) *Prior to entry - perform (3,3, and SPG - 3 BCD low pressure inflation, 3 regulator breaths, and check SPG)

• Regulator clearing (blowing/purging) and both retrieval methods• Snorkel/regulator exchange.• Free flow regulator breathing (30 seconds)• Regulator without mask (led by partner, 1 lap)• Air sharing at depth and during ascent, identify types of alternate air supplies.

Optional Buddy Breathing (puff puff give)

• Weight belt (removal/replacement) on surface and bottom.


8. Task Book

Prerequisites:

Skill Date Pass Fail

500 M. Swim

15 Min. Tread Water

Skills:


Neutral buoyancy control (oral/power) inflation, at the surface proper weighting is eye level with normal breath, (an empty/near empty dive tank has approximately 2-3 lbs of lift, adjust weights accordingly

Descent procedures - acronym - SOS To Descend (Signal, Orientate, Switch from snorkel to regulator, check Time and Descend with raised inflator hose feet first)

Ascent procedures - acronym - SOS to Ascend (Signal, look Overhead, Slowly ascent @ 20ft/min., check Time and Ascend with raised inflator hose)

Buoyancy skills- hovering and fin pivot (30 seconds)


Skills Date Pass Fail

Dry suit buoyancy control and emergency procedures (i.e. hose disconnect or flooding) Diver adds air to suit, inverts then recovers with knees to chest, transitions air from legs to torso (fin keepers).

Full face mask (removal/switch to regulator/clearing full face mask/replace full face mask)

Buoyancy control device (removal/replacement) on surface and bottom.

Review out of air procedure - acronym - No Air Can Be Bad - (Normal ascent, Alternate, Controlled ascent - with weights, Buddy breath and Buoyant ascent - ditch weights, Air sharing at depth and During ascent.)

Controlled emergency swimming ascent procedure (simulate out of air / signals / ascends / continuously exhaling (aaaahhhh sound) / surfaces / inflates BC orally using bobbing technique) Always ditch weights at the surface if you are out of air.

Review emergency buoyant ascent procedures (simulate out of air / signals / drops weights / ascends / continuously exhaling (aaahhh sound) / surfaces / inflates BC orally using bobbing technique) This skill is hazardous and should be performed with a Public Safety cuba Instructor



Pre-Dive

Pre Dive Briefing

Pre Dive Medical (Vitals)

Equipment Donning

Pre Dive Check

Line Signal Review

Dive

Diver Placement

Diver Descent & Initial Search

Sweep Patterns

Parallel Patterns

Snag Patterns

Safety Diver Position

Primary Diver Position

Distressed Diver Drill

Post Dive

Decon

Post Dive Medical (Vitals, Rapid Field Neuros)

Post Dive Briefing


9. Dive Log

DateDive

# Position Description Depth Vis. Sport TrainingDive Call

Total Time


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