Inland Water Rescue and Emergencies, 2nd Edition, April 2019

Question 1

This feature is evident downstream of low head dam type hydraulic. It marks the area where the current splits direction of flow.

How do you determine the direction of flows?

Answer 1

The Boil Line

The lighter aerated water further upstream is moving back towards the hydraulic while the dark water is moving downstream.

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Question 2

This is formed when two separate flows meet.

Answer 2

Confluence Wave

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Question 3

Direction the water is flowing.

Answer 3

Downstream

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Question 4

Water being pushed through a narrowing gap causes the level to rise up forming a chute or a tongue.

What does this indicate?

Answer 4

Downstream V

This indicates the deepest part of a channel and is where a rescuer should swim and / or bring a boat.

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Question 5

A reversal of water flow from downstream to upstream, caused by negative pressure void formed by passing water.

What is important to note about this?

Answer 5

Eddy

The water actually flows back upstream towards the object and is considered a SAFE area while boating or swimming.

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Question 6

Line of swirls caused by the reversal of the eddy and the downstream flow of the water.

What is important to note about this?

Answer 6

Eddy Fence

The friction between the two currents cause a spiraling effect in the water that can be sufficient enough to drag a swimmer under water or flip a boat. This line is usually evident by sight.

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Question 7

The process by which a boat moves across the river without moving down stream.

Answer 7

Ferry

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Question 8

Using the force of the water to assist the movement of a boat or swimmers body to the target, maintaining a ________ angle to the current, a swimmer or boat can traverse the water with less difficulty.

This is referred to as ______

Answer 8

45 degrees

Ferry angle

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Question 9

An artificial channel used to move floodwater away from an urban area.

These channels are normally designed as a part of the ________.

The current in this channel may be up to ______ the speed as the main current.

Answer 9

Flood channel

Storm water removal system

Twice the speed.

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Question 10

As water passes along the sides of the shore it creates circular swirls resulting from friction. This is called _____.

Why is this of concern?

Answer 10

Helical Flow.

This helical pattern lends itself towards drawing water from the shoreline and pulling it in towards the main current flow in the center. This is the reason that anyone within 10 feet of the water’s edge must wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

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Question 11

What are the 3 operational zones for inland water incidents?

Answer 11

Hot - in or over the water / ice is considered IDLH. Appropriate PPE is required. It is recommended that only Technician level personnel operate in the HOT zone.

Warm - within 10 feet of the water / ice, if conditions warrant the distance can be increased. This area is also dangerous and PFD’s are required. Operations level personnel and below can operate in the Warm Zone.

Cold - Greater than 10 feet from the water / ice. Any untrained personnel operate in the cold zone.

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Question 12

Where the current strikes a bank or shore of a water-way at a turn.

Answer 12

Outside bend

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Question 13

Where water meets an object and pushes water above water line.

Where would it be probable for an eddy to be created by this?

Answer 13

Pillow

Water will push off to either side with a probable eddy on the opposite side downstream.

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Question 14

Rising water due to encountering object underwater.

Answer 14

Reaction Wave

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Question 15

How is river right and river left determined?

Answer 15

By your left and right while looking downstream.

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Question 16

What is the safe swimming position and why is it considered as such?

Answer 16

A safe or defensive swift water swimming position, in which the swimmer is positioned on their back with feet at the surface pointing downstream. This reduces the risk of foot entrapment and allows the swimmer to defend them against smashing into objects.

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Question 17

What are the four types of water in terms of water rescue?

Answer 17

Swift Water - fast-moving with identifiable hydraulics features.

Flood water - variation of water flow and hazards where water is not normally present

Flat / Static Water - a body of water that may or may not be fed by alternate ground sources.

Ice - May occur in any of the above listed bodies of water when surface temperature falls below the freezing point.

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Question 18

How can hyperthermia be an issue in water rescue?

Answer 18

Personnel working in dry-suits, PFDs , and helmets retain body heat and rapidly move towards dehydration. Adequate rotation of personnel must be provided along with ample hydration.

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Question 19

What does it mean when a long whistle blast is heard in water rescue?

Answer 19

any single long whistle blast requires all persons within the sound to stop operations and look in the direction of the whistle.

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Question 20

What else needs to be in place any time a rescuer or victim is in the water?

What other assignments can these people fill?

Answer 20

There shall be an upstream spotter and downstream safety with retrieval devices available.

These personnel are dedicated to these positions and may not be used in any other capacity unless immediately replaced.

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Question 21

When is the only time structural firefighting gear is allowed in the warm zone in a water rescue?

Answer 21

During ICE rescues only.

This exemption only applies if the incident commander, safety officer, and water/ice rescue unit officer agree there is little to no risk to personnel operating in the warm zone.

This is only true in the flat or static bodies of water that have surface ice.

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Question 22

When using a ladder or tower for water rescue, who should be on the ladder and why?

Answer 22

The individual(s) operating within the hot zone on the ladder should be at minimum technician level because of the possibility or necessity of the rescuer entering the IDLH.

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Question 23

Upon arrival to a submerged Victim call for static water. Personnel should make contact with reporting party and obtain what information?

Answer 23

1. Determine point last seen (PLS): Specific point that someone saw them go under. Mark if possible from shore line, get compass bearing or GPS coordinates.
2. Determine time last seen. Initiate timer based on time victim was last seen.
3. Was the victim struggling or submerged?
4. Did the victim submerge and come back up at any period (which would reset the time for victim down)
5. Gather a physical description of the victim to include the clothing and if the victim was wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

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Question 24

Active search and rescue operations for water rescues should be done for victims that have been submerged for up to how many minutes?

Answer 24

60 Minutes

This can be extended for colder water temperatures.

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Question 25

When does the recovery mode occur?

Answer 25

When the active rescue and search operating in water transitions into boat only operations.

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Question 26

Water are the three search patters used in water rescue?

Answer 26

Sweep search pattern - rescuers line up at designated start points on search grid / map and proceed along a straight line with fixed distance in between each person. Once the end of the search area is reached, the lead will direct one of the ends to stand fast and others will line up to search grid in the other direction.

Double Back Search Patter - A rescuer(s) walks out a fixed distance, executes a 90 degree turn then walks a fixed distance to form the top of a mini-grid. Then through a series of switchbacks, they search the area slowly working their way back to origin / starting point.

Spiral Search Pattern - Rescuers use a fixed point as a reference to initiate a search area. Several spirals can go on at same time if needed though areas should overlap to minimized dead space due to circular nature. After a rotation the rescue will let length of rope out and continue in a circular pattern search along the way.

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Question 27

What are the different whistle commands used in water rescue?

Answer 27

One blast - stop, look at person

Two blasts - look upstream

Three blast - look downstream

Multiple blast - Trouble

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