EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 1 - WATER RESCUE Flashcards
TRUE/FALSE
The Cold Water Suit (CWS) and Personal Flotation Device (PFD) are designed for underwater operations.
FALSE
2.3 The Cold Water Suit (CWS) and Personal Flotation Device (PFD) are not designed for underwater operations.
TRUE/FALSE
It should be emphasized that any entry into the water or onto ice be considered as a last resort. The safety of our members is paramount.
TRUE
L137 IS A WATER RESCUE UNIT, AS A COVERING OFFICER OFFICER YOU NOTICE ON THEIR POSITIONS BLACKBOARD NEXT TO THE IRONS FF IT READS: IRONS/PRIMARY WATER RESCUER. DO YOU AGREE WITH L137 ASSIGNING THIS POSITION TO A EVERYDAY POSITION LIKE THE IRONS?
NO
- 1 A member who has been trained in the suit and is familiar with its capabilities and limitations should be designated as the Primary Rescuer. A member with lifeguard experience or a trained scuba diver should be considered for this assignment.
- 2 It would not be good practice to assign your primary water rescuer as a riding position. Example, nozzle firefighter is always the primary rescuer. This member may not feel comfortable in the water and you may have someone with more training for that duty. Positions should be discussed and determined at roll call.
WHAT IS THE PRIMARY CONCERN IN WATER RESCUE OPERATIONS?
•SAFETY OF OUR MEMBERS
4.1 The primary concern is the safety of our rescuers. 10% of drowning victims are would-be rescuers. All members must use extreme caution and good judgment with any ice or water rescue.
THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN WE SHOULD NOT ENTER THE WATER, WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THA PRECLUDE US FROM ENTERING?
- WATER/WEATHER CONDITIONS
- LOCATION OF VICTIM
- SKILL OF RESCUER
- NIGHT TIME OPS
- 2 There will be times when we should not enter the water. This goes for drill as well as a rescue situation. Some factors that would affect this decision are:
- 2.1 Water/weather conditions – factors such as wave height, presence of riptides or sweep tides and lightning storms.
- 2.2 Location of Victim- how far out the victim is and if they can be reached safely.
- 2.3 Skill level of rescuer - can the rescuer reach the victim under the above circumstances or will the rescuer eventually become a victim.
- 2.4 Night operations - Members should not be allowed past the line of sight from the shore. Portable lights should be brought to the scene.
TRUE/FALSE
DURING NIGHTTIME WATER/ICE RSCUE OPS OUR MEMBERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE WATER PAST LINE OF SIGHT AT THE SHORE.
TRUE
- 2 There will be times when we should not enter the water. This goes for drill as well as a rescue situation. Some factors that would affect this decision are:
- 2.1 Water/weather conditions – factors such as wave height, presence of riptides or sweep tides and lightning storms.
- 2.2 Location of Victim- how far out the victim is and if they can be reached safely.
- 2.3 Skill level of rescuer - can the rescuer reach the victim under the above circumstances or will the rescuer eventually become a victim.
- 2.4 Night operations - Members should not be allowed past the line of sight from the shore. Portable lights should be brought to the scene.
TRUE/FALSE
BUNKER GEAR FLOATS.
FALSE
BUNKER GEAR DOES NOT FLOAT
A PERSON SUFFERING FROM COLD WATER EXPOSURE WILL HAVE SYMPTOMS INCLUDING INTENSE SHIVERING, MENTAL CONFUSION, LOW PULSE RATE, IRREGULAR HEART BEAT & FIXED DILATED PUPILS. THE PERSON MAY HAVE CYANOTIC SKIN, WHICH WILL BE THIS COLOR?
•COLD/BLUE SKIN
5.1.1 Cold water exposure symptoms include intense shivering, loss of coordination, mental confusion, cyanotic (cold/blue) skin, low pulse rate; irregular heart beat and fixed dilated pupils.
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF COLD WATER EXPOSURE?
- INTENSE SHIVERING
- LOSS OF COORDINATION
- CYANOTIC SKIN (COLD/BLUE)
- MENTAL CONFUSION
- LOW PULSE RATE
- IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT
- FIXED DILATED PUPILS
5.1.1 Cold water exposure symptoms include intense shivering, loss of coordination, mental confusion, cyanotic (cold/blue) skin, low pulse rate; irregular heart beat and fixed dilated pupils.
E265 RETRIEVES A MAN FROM 92ND STREET SURF ON A COLD DECEMBER DAY. THE MAN HAS COLD BLUE SKIN, THE MEMBERS DEDUCE THAT HE IS SUFFERING FROM COLD WATER EXPOSURE. WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO TREAT THIS PATIENT UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF EMS?
- REMOVE VICTIM TO A WARM SHELTER
- DO NOT MASSAGE OR RUB THE VICTIM—COULD CAUSE CARDIAC ARREST
- REMOVE WET CLOTHING & WRAP IN WARM BLANKETS
- 1.2 Remove the victim to a warm shelter to prevent further body cooling. The victim should be transported carefully to avoid heart fibrillation and stress. Do not massage or rub the victim because rough handling could cause cardiac arrest.
- 1.3 Remove wet clothing and wrap the person in warm blankets. Perform a patient assessment and treat the patient according to CFR protocols, if EMS is not on-scene.
HOW MANY TIMES FASTER DOES THE LOSS OF BODY HEAT OCCUR IN COLD WATER THAN IN AIR?
•25X
5.2.1 The loss of body heat occurs 25 times faster in cold water than in air. Hypothermia (subnormal body temperature) begins when the body’s core (brain, spinal chord, lungs and vital organs) temperature falls below the level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water cools the body’s skin and outer tissues very quickly. In approximately 7 to 15 minutes, core body temperature begins to drop significantly, affecting utilization of the arms and legs. Blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates all decrease. Muscles tense and shiver. Irrational behavior (resisting help) is a good indicator of hypothermia.
WHAT IS A GOOD INDICATOR OF HYPOTHERMIA?
•IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR
5.2.1 The loss of body heat occurs 25 times faster in cold water than in air. Hypothermia (subnormal body temperature) begins when the body’s core (brain, spinal chord, lungs and vital organs) temperature falls below the level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water cools the body’s skin and outer tissues very quickly. In approximately 7 to 15 minutes, core body temperature begins to drop significantly, affecting utilization of the arms and legs. Blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates all decrease. Muscles tense and shiver. Irrational behavior (resisting help) is a good indicator of hypothermia.
WHEN THE BODY’S CORE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW _____ DEGREES F, THE VICTIM TRANSGRESSES FROM NON AMBULATORY TO UNCONSCIOUS.
•90 DEGREES F
5.2.2 When the body’s core temperature begins to drop below 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the victim transgresses from non-ambulatory into unconsciousness. Low core temperature, in conjunction with stress and shock, can cause cardiac and respiratory failure.
IN WHAT WATER TEMPERATURE CAN MAMMALIAN DIVE REFLEX OCCUR?
•BELOW 70 DEGREES F.
5.3.1 There are a considerable number of authenticated cases of drowning victims who were submerged in cold water for 30 to 60 minutes and then resuscitated with no brain damage or other serious health effects. Sudden face contact with cold water (below 70 degrees Fahrenheit) initiates a body reflex known as the Mammalian Diving Reflex (MDR).
IF EXPOSED TO COLD WATER, IN WHAT AMOUNT OF TIME WILL CORE BODY TEMPERATURE BEGIN TO DROP AFFECTING THE UTILIZATION OF ARMS AND LEGS?
•7 TO 15 MINS
5.2.1 The loss of body heat occurs 25 times faster in cold water than in air. Hypothermia (subnormal body temperature) begins when the body’s core (brain, spinal chord, lungs and vital organs) temperature falls below the level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water cools the body’s skin and outer tissues very quickly. In approximately 7 to 15 minutes, core body temperature begins to drop significantly, affecting utilization of the arms and legs. Blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates all decrease. Muscles tense and shiver. Irrational behavior (resisting help) is a good indicator of hypothermia.