Inland Water Rescue Flashcards
How much more likely are firefighters to die in a water-related incident than in a fire?
4x
Swift Water?
predominantly predictable, fast-moving with identifiable hydraulics features
Flood Water?
predominantly not predictable with a variation of flow and hazards where water is not normally present
Flat/Static Water
body of water that does not travel in a specific direction and may or may not be fed by alternate ground sources
Dynamic Hazards
- objects moving in water
- -panicked swimmers
- -vehicles
- -trees
- -propane tanks
- -animals
- -clothing
Static Hazards?
- stationary objects
- -signs, poles and hydrants
- -manholes
- -picnic tables
- -intake and culvert pipes
- -vehicles
- -guard rail, fencing
What is a big concern due to the stressful nature of the events?
hyperthermia
If the aggregate temperature is less than what the potential for hypothermia is dramatically increased…
140 degrees (ambient temperature + water temperature)
After each entry into flood water what should be performed?
Gross decon and exposure reports
Water Rescue Assignment:
2 Boats (min. staffing per boat) 1 rescue 1 truck 2 engines 1 BC 1 SO 1 EMS transport unit
Ice Rescue Assignment:
2 boats 1 rescue 1 truck 2 engines 1 bc 1 so 1 EMS transport unit 1 dive team
Water Rescue Task Force:
2 boats
1 special service
1 BC
1 Medic Unit
Water Rescue Readiness Phase 1:
-normal operational level, appropriate water rescue personnel are identified as water rescue team members but may be used to staff other response resources
Water Rescue Readiness Phase 2:
conditions exist that could precipitate a water rescue event (ie….a flood warning has been issued)
In this phase response resources should be immediately made available with dedicated personnel
Water Rescue Readiness Phase 3:
expecting or experiencing flood warnings, hurricanes, tropical storms or any other weather event that has increased potential for significant precipitation accompanied by major flooding. All supported water rescue resources should be fully staffed and prepared to respond
Initial Report of a Swift Water/Flat Water/Ice event includes:
- Confirmation of incident location
- Confirmation of incident dispatch information
- Staging location for incoming resources
- Establish or transfer command
- Actions taken or needed to control access to the scene
- Time of exposure for the victim if possible (ice)
Units should provide orientation on a water rescue incident based on?
direction of flow
When visualizing the incident what approach should be used?
Six-sided: above, below, four sides
Water incident cold/warm/hot zones?
cold: greater than 10’ away from the water
warm: within 10’ of the water
hot: in or over the water
During high call volume times it may not be possible to have a second boat as a RIT boat it is acceptable then to use what as a RIT team?
Technician level crew without a boat
What does a single long whistle blast mean?
requires all persons within the sound to stop operations and look in the direction of the whistle
Any time a rescuer or victim is located in the water there shall be?
An upstream spotter and a downstream safety with retrieval devices available
As a general rule it can take up to how many people to affect a single person rescue from moving or static water during daylight hours?
16
If a rope operation is conducted who is ultimately responsible for the operation and will advise the technical rescue personnel of the needs?
The officer in charge of water rescue
