swift/moving water rescue incidents awareness level developed by the plymouth fire department
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Swift/Moving Water Rescue Swift/Moving Water Rescue IncidentsIncidents
Awareness LevelAwareness Level
Developed by Developed by
The Plymouth Fire DepartmentThe Plymouth Fire Department
Swift/Moving Water Rescue Swift/Moving Water Rescue Awareness Level Technical AssistanceAwareness Level Technical Assistance
The Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff’s OfficeThe Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff’s Office Minnesota DNRMinnesota DNR Pennsylvania Fish & Boat CommissionPennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Swift/Moving WaterSwift/Moving Water
Current Velocitymph)
Legs(lbf)
Body Swamped Boat
3 16.8 33.6 168
6 67.2 134 672
9 151 302 1512
12 269 538 2688
Current Velocitymph
Legslbf
Bodylbf
Swamped Boatlbf
3 16.8 33.6 168
6 67.2 134 672
9 151 302 1512
12 269 538 2688
Swift Water HazardsSwift Water Hazards
Top debrisTop debris Suspended debrisSuspended debris Bottom debrisBottom debris RocksRocks Bridge abutmentsBridge abutments
StrainersStrainers Low head damsLow head dams Cold waterCold water Speed/force of the Speed/force of the
waterwater
…
Awareness Level Rescue Awareness Level Rescue OptionsOptions
Reach Reach (pike pole, etc)(pike pole, etc)
Throw Throw (throw bag, (throw bag, downstream diagonal lines)downstream diagonal lines)
Swift Water ManagementSwift Water Management
Request technicalRequest technicalrescue assistancerescue assistance
Request shared communication Request shared communication talk grouptalk group
Maintain responder accountabilityMaintain responder accountability Communicate rescue and Communicate rescue and
safety plan safety plan
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueFirst Arriving First Arriving
Point last seenPoint last seen– Number of victimsNumber of victims– AgeAge– Time since last seenTime since last seen– Type/color of clothing, Type/color of clothing,
PFD?PFD?– Swimming ability, with Swimming ability, with
boat, etcboat, etc– Search immediate areaSearch immediate area– Relay informationRelay information
PFD, Helmet and Throw Bag PFD, Helmet and Throw Bag If Within 10 Feet of WaterIf Within 10 Feet of Water
NO TURNOUTSNO TURNOUTS
NO FIRE HELMETSNO FIRE HELMETS
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueResponder ActionsResponder Actions
First Arriving: Downstream ContainmentFirst Arriving: Downstream Containment• Personnel both sidesPersonnel both sides• PFD, technical rescue helmet, throw bagsPFD, technical rescue helmet, throw bags• SearchSearch
Second Arriving: Upstream ObserversSecond Arriving: Upstream Observers• Watch for items traveling downstream that could injure swimmers in Watch for items traveling downstream that could injure swimmers in
the waterthe water• Water surgeWater surge
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueResponder SafetyResponder Safety
PFD and throw bag if within 10PFD and throw bag if within 10’’ of water of water Deploy upstream spotters (surge, debris)Deploy upstream spotters (surge, debris) Deploy multiple downstream recovery Deploy multiple downstream recovery
pointspoints Do not wear structural turnout gearDo not wear structural turnout gear Do not wear structural fire helmetDo not wear structural fire helmet
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueResponder SafetyResponder Safety
Never tie a rope to yourselfNever tie a rope to yourself Do not enter moving waterDo not enter moving water Always be ready for self-rescueAlways be ready for self-rescue Do not drive through moving water that is Do not drive through moving water that is
deeper than ½ height of the tiredeeper than ½ height of the tire
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueSelf RescueSelf Rescue
PFD/Throw bag if within 10PFD/Throw bag if within 10’’ of edge of edge Keep feet up, pointed downstreamKeep feet up, pointed downstream Do not drag feetDo not drag feet Move your body at a 45 degree angle to the current Move your body at a 45 degree angle to the current
• Ferry angleFerry angle
Watch out for strainersWatch out for strainers
Awareness Level RescueAwareness Level RescueVictim RescueVictim Rescue
Reach or Throw Only!Reach or Throw Only! Do not attach a rope toDo not attach a rope to
yourselfyourself Use throw bagUse throw bag
• DonDon’’t forget about the speed of the watert forget about the speed of the water• Deploy downstream diagonal lines Deploy downstream diagonal lines • Pendulum victim to shorePendulum victim to shore• Treat for hypothermiaTreat for hypothermia
Possible InjuriesPossible Injuries
Head injuriesHead injuries HypothermiaHypothermia
• Minnesota waters should be considered cold Minnesota waters should be considered cold water drowning, any time of the yearwater drowning, any time of the year
Other ???Other ???