Inland Water

Question 1

What are the operational zones for inland water rescues?

Answer 1

Hot-in or over the water/ice IDLH. Warm- within 10’ of the warer/ice (PFD’s required). Cold- >10’. Distances may be increased when necessary. Pg 6

Question 2

What is the safe swimming position?

Answer 2

On your back feet pointed downstream. Pg 7

Question 3

What are the four categories victims will fall in regarding the ability to help themselves?

Answer 3

-Normal: everyday swimmer, no trouble following commands
-Panic: Can follow simple commands, can usually help themselves
-Counter panic: blank stare, inability to follow commands or assist. Go
rescue
-Distinctive drowning response: victim face down in water able to get
head up for a breath. 60 second survival time.

Page 10

Question 4

What are the four water types in land water incidents?

Answer 4

-Swift water: fast moving, consistent direction of flow, identifiable
hydraulics
-Flood water: variation of a water flow and hazards where water is not
normally present
-Flat/static water: body of water that may or may not be fed by
alternative sources (i.e. ponds, lakes, reservoirs, retention
ponds, quarries)
-Ice: may occur in any of the above. Surface temperature falls below
freezing

Page 11

Question 5

What is the aggregate temperature?

Answer 5

Obtained by adding ambient temperature plus the water temperature. Page 12

Question 6

The potential for hypothermia is dramatically increased with the aggregate temperature is less than what?

Answer 6

Less than 140°F. Page 12

Question 7

What type of water should always be considered contaminated?

Answer 7

Flood water. Gross Decon should be performed after every entry and exposure report completed. Page 13

Question 8

What is the minimum staffing on the boat?

Answer 8

Three personnel per boat. Pg 14

Question 9

What are the three phases of readiness for flooding?

Answer 9

-Flood watch (Phase 1)
-Flood warning (Phase 2)
-Action phase (Phase 3)

Page 15

Question 10

What ICS positions should be considered during in-land water Incidents?

Answer 10

Safety officer.
Technical specialist.
Marine branch.
EMS branch.
Upstream division.
Downstream division.
River right in River left division.
RIT group.
Page 16-17

Question 11

Due to the change in surface ice characteristic during an ice rescue, what should be done early?

Answer 11

Mark the initial location of the victim from shore. Pg 20

Question 12

What does a single long whistle blast mean?

Answer 12

Stop operations and look in the direction of the whistle. Page 21

Question 13

As a general rule how many personnel will be required for a single person rescue for moving water during daylight hours?

Answer 13

16. Page 22

Question 14

What should be in place any time a rescuer or a victim is located in the water?

Answer 14

An upstream spotter and a downstream safety with retrieval devices. Page 21

Question 15

When is the only time structural fire fighting PPE maybe worn in the warm zone, 10 feet from the waters edge?

Answer 15

Ice rescue
pg.22

Question 16

Who has the final authority during helicopter operations?

Answer 16

The helicopter crew. Page 23

Question 17

Who has priority positioning on inland water Incidents?

Answer 17

Boats, boat support, trucks, and towers. Page 25

Question 18

What information should be obtained from the reporting party?

Answer 18

Determine point last scene. Time last seen. Was the victim struggling or submerged. Did victim come back up at any period. A physical description. Page 25

Question 19

Active search and rescue operations should be done for victims having been submerged for up to how long?

Answer 19

Up to 60 minutes. Can be extended for colder water temperatures. Page 26

Question 20

Sub surface searches by fire department personnel should be how long and what is the maximum work period?

Answer 20

Short duration (less than one minute) with a maximum work period of 10 minutes. Page 26

Question 21

What is the maximum subsurface search depth?

Answer 21

10 feet. Page 26

Question 22

What are the three standard underwater search patterns?

Answer 22

Sweep search. Double back search. Spiral search. Page 27, 28

Question 23

All personnel in the nova regional fire departments shall have what level of water training?

Answer 23

Water and ice rescue awareness following your requirements outlined in NFPA 1670. Page 29

Question 24

What is the color scheme for awareness level/victim helmets on inland water rescues?

Answer 24

Red

Question 25

What does one blast of the whistle mean?

Answer 25

Stop, look at the person. Page 36

Question 26

What does two whistle blasts mean?

Answer 26

Look up stream. Page 36

Question 27

What do three whistle blasts mean?

Answer 27

Look down stream. Page 36