pasco fire department water rescue awareness. pasco fire department water rescue awareness...

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Water Rescue Awareness


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Objectives:• Recognize the need for water search and rescue based upon the complexity

of the incident

• Define and implement the assessment phase of the operation

• Identify the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water operations

• Implement site control and scene management

• Recognize the general hazards associated with water incidents and the procedures necessary to mitigate these hazards within the general search and rescue area

• Determine rescue or recovery profile(S)

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NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue

Incidents

9.2.3 Organizations operating at the awareness level at water search and rescue incidents shall implement procedures for the

following:

A. Recognizing the need for water search and rescueB. Implementing the assessment phaseC. Identifying the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water

operationsD. Implementing site control and scene managementE. Recognizing general hazards associated with water incidents and the

procedures necessary to mitigate these hazards within the general search and rescue area

F. Determining rescue versus body recovery

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WAC 296-305

296-305-05101 Written standard operating procedures shall be established consistent with the following levels:

• Awareness Level – This level represents the minimum capability of organizations that provide response to technical rescue incidents

296-305-05103Training shall be provided to correspond to the operational level of the fire department. All fire departments shall be trained to the awareness level; members which will be expected to perform at a higher operational level shall be trained to that level.

295-3-5-05113 (5)(a) Organizations choosing to operate at the awareness, operations or technician level for water

rescue incidents must meet the requirements of this section and the nonconflicting portions of chapter 9 of the 2009 edition of NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents.

(ii) All employees involved in water rescue shall be trained in water rescue techniques and wear Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, Type III, minimum.

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Pasco Fire Department Standard Operating Guideline’s

30-6.7.1 – Water Search and Rescue

This SOG shall apply to all Pasco Fire Department personnel responding to and operating within a Water Rescue Incident or Training Environment.

30-6.7.2 – Personal Floatation Devices and Personnel Safety involving water incidents

This guideline is established to meet the intent and requirements of water rescue as defined by WAC 296-305-051130(5)(a) and Chapter 9 of the 2009 edition of NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents

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Definitions

Awareness Level Actions taken by the responders at the Awareness Level are defensive in nature and should pose no risk, or a low level of risk to the responder. This level represents the minimum capability of organizations that provide response to technical rescue incidents.

Operational Level Actions taken at the Operational Level are of limited offensive nature and generally at a low or moderate risk to the responder. This level represents the capability of organizations to respond to technical rescue incidents and to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply limited techniques to support and participate in technical rescue incidents.

Technical Level Actions taken by the responders are offensive in nature and may pose a high level of risk. This level represents the capability of organizations to respond to technical rescue incidents, to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply advanced techniques specified to coordinate, perform, and supervise technical rescue incidents.

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Water Rescue Size Up

• Scope, Magnitude, and nature of the incident (complexity)

• Location and number of victims• Risk/Benefit Analysis• Separation, isolation, security,

and interviewing of witnesses• Hazards – disrupted or exposed

utilities, standing or flowing water, mechanical hazards, hazmat, explosives

• Access to the scene• Environmental Factors• Resource assessment• Rescue/Recovery

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Water Rescue Incident ComplexityOperations Level – is determined by1. The method of victim entrapment2. Operations are conducted only from

the shore-or-

3. Are conducted from any watercraft used by the organization

Technician Level – is determined by1. Any water rescue in which technical

rope skills are needed2. Operations in which the rescuer must

enter the water

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Surface Water

Examples Inc lude: R ivers , St reams,Canals , Pools , Lakes , Gravel P i ts ,

Storm Drain Systems

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Incident Causes……….Most Likely

• Changes in Weather

• Overconfidence

• No Personal Floatation Device(s)

• Cramps

• Submerged Debris

• Collision of watercraft

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Swift Water

• Some Parts of the Yakima River

• Columbia and Snake Rivers

• Some Irrigation Canals

Water that is moving at a rate greater than one knot [1.85 km/hr (1.15 mph)] – NFPA 1670

3.3.160

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Water Hazards

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Hydraulics

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EddyAn eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle.

Eddy

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Outwash/Backwash

OutwashBoil Line Backwash

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Current

Slower moving water tends to be at the bottom water layer of the channel.

Slower moving water tends to be at the outside of the channel and on the downstream side of the bend.

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Water Temperature• The Body cannot maintain its temperature in water that is less

than 92 degrees F.

• Heat loss occurs 25 times faster in water than in air

• Immersion often leads to hypothermia

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Strainers• Partial Obstructions that filter water

• Downed trees, gratings, mesh

• Creates unequal force across itself

• People become pinned by the waters force

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Low Head DamsLow Head Dams are control structures used on channels. They partially block the waterway and “back up” the water behind them. They are self-regulating

and allow water to just spill over the top as levels increase.

Dangers• Strong current just beyond the

downstream face of the dam• Water flow is recirculating

(which drops down sharply down the face of the dam, rises, then returns to the face of the dam as a backwash – and quickly drops down again.

• PFD’s will not provide sufficient flotation to prevent the user from being drawn under

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Obstructions

An up stream V pattern flow usually indicates the presence of an obstruction or submerged hazard.

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Undercuts

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Underwater Hazards

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Contamination

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TurbidityTurbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates.

Causes of Turbidity –

• Phytoplankton

• Sediments from soil or bank erosion

• Resuspended sediment from the bottom of the channel

• Waste discharge

• Algae growth

• Urban Runoff

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Identify Last Seen Victim Location

If the victim cannot be seen on the surface of the water, we need to identify a Last Seen Point (LSP) to assist Dive Rescue Technicians.

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Identify Last Seen Victim Location

Identify the number of witnesses and victims.

Separate the witnesses and interview them from the spot that they last saw the victim.

Attempt to “Triangulate” the location. This will be the initial search area.

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Basic Rescue Techniques• REACH• Outreached arm, leg or other tool• Yell clear, simple instructions to the

victim• Ensure that you have firm footing• Do not enter the water any deeper than

knee-depth• Remember that the victim is under

duress and may pull the rescuer into the water

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• THROW• This type of rescue employs

throw rope bags, life rings, and floats.

• This type of rescue is only effective if the subject is cooperative.

• Give clear and simple commands to the subject.

• Remember that the victim is under duress and may pull the rescuer into the water.

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Rescue Communications

Whistle Commands1 Blast = Stop and Look at me2 Blasts = Begin the action that we agreed upon or is indicated3 Blasts = I need help

Arm SignalsOne arm raised = need help or pay attentionOne hand on top of head = I am OK

Rope Signals1 tug OK2 tugs Advance3 tugs Take up slack4 tugs Help

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Rescue vs. Recovery

• Time Submerged• Age• Physical Condition• Known/Suspected

Trauma• Water Temperature• Estimated Time for

Rescue/Removal

Factors to consider:

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Command and Control• Arrival, Size Up, and Initiate/Establish Command

• Recognize that this incident may extend beyond the initial operational period• An IAP may need to be developed• Determine Incident Complexity

• Operational – can the rescue be affected from the shore? If not you are in a technical rescue situation. Call for the resources.

• Technical – Prepare to support Dive Operations (Secure Boat Launch, Have EMS supplies readily available, prepare for decontamination)

• Identify and Secure General Hazards• Electrical Utilities• Gas, propane, fuel oil, other alternative energy sources• Water Size Up (Temperature, hazards)• Communications

• Identify and Secure Personal Hazards• Trips, slips, falls, etc.• PFD’s

• Identify Hazards that are Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health• Swift water situations with currents exceeding those in which a person or watercraft can safely

operate• Secure the general area

• Controlling/limiting access to the area by unnecessary personnel• Locate, Identify. Secure and Interview Witnesses

• Identify the LSP (Last Seen Point)

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Uh Oh

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pasco fire department water rescue awareness. pasco fire department water rescue awareness...

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