Inland Water Rescue and Emergencies April 2019 Flashcards
___ emergencies can include many types of incidents, such as:
- Victims stranded (on rocks, in creeks, rivers),
- Victims falling through the ice at a local lake or retention pond
- Vehicles trapped on a flooded roadway.
pg 1
Water rescue
The Northern Virginia region recognizes the levels of certification as outlined by NFPA ___ and ___.
pg 1
NFPA 1670 and 1006
This feature is evident downstream of low head dam type hydraulic.
pg 2
boil line
- The boil line marks the area where the current splits direction of flow.
- The lighter aerated water further up- stream is moving back towards the hydraulic while the darker water is moving downstream
___ is formed when two separate flows meet.
pg 2
Confluence wave
___ is the flow of the water tends to travel in a straight line (vector) until it comes into contact with an object, shore, or bank.
pg 2
Current Flow
The current does not always follow the shoreline due to this straight movement.
___ is the direction the water is flowing
pg 2.
Downstream
___ is water being pushed through a narrowing gap causes the level to rise up forming a chute or a tongue.
pg 2
Downstream V:
This indicates the deepest part of a channel and is where a rescuer should swim and/or bring a boat.
___ are personnel/crew assigned to operate downstream of incident.
pg 2
Downstream Safety
- These units ensure the safety of both the rescuers and victims by providing egress from the immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) area.
- Crews should have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and resources available to include radios and throw bags.
___ is a reversal of water flow from downstream to upstream, caused by negative pressure void formed by passing water.
pg 2
Eddy
The water actually flows back upstream towards the object and is considered a SAFE area while boating or swimming.
___ is a line of swirls caused by the reversal of the eddy and the downstream flow of the water.
Eddy Fence
- The friction between the two currents causes 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.
___ is the process by which a boat moves across the river without moving down stream
pg 3
Ferry
___ is using the force of the water to assist the movement of a boat or a swimmers body to the target.
Ferry angle
Maintaining a 45o angle to the current a swimmer or boat can traverse the water with less difficulty.
___ is an artificial channel used to move floodwater away from an urban area.
pg 3
Flood Channel
- These channels are normally designed as a part of the storm water removal system.
- The current in this channel may be up to twice the speed as the main current.
___ is when a person’s lower extremity becomes entrapped while operating in moving water.
pg 4
Foot Entrapment
- The force of the water pushes the person’s body downstream of the entrapped body part not allowing removal without assistance.
- The person’s airway becomes compromised and drowning will result unless immediate action is taken to secure airway and rescue the victim.
___ is the feature is evident by the points on the outside of the hole facing towards you if looking at the hole from up-stream.
pg 4
Frowning Hole ☹️
- If you mentally flip the whole up towards you it makes a frown.
- This hole will tend to hold a rescuer due to the nature of its shape.
- Since there is a reversal of flow as with all hydraulics, the rescuer will be kept in the bottom of the arc until swimming out and/or rescued.
As water passes along the sides of the shore it creates circular swirls resulting from friction called ___.
pg 5
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).
___ is water pouring over an underwater feature creating a void that will be backfilled by water traveling the opposite direction (upstream).
pg 5
Hydraulic (smiling hole, frowning hole, low head)
- This also creates a recirculation effect and the water becomes aerated by this churning.
- A boil line is usually evident downstream of the hydraulic and indicates the line where the water is flowing downstream yet again.
___ is a movement of water caused by pressure.
pg 5
Hydraulic Effect:
___ is the lowering of the body’s core temperature occurring when the body loses heat faster than it can produce.
pg 5
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can cause impaired judgment, debilitation, and eventually, death.
The opposite shore to the outside bend is where water tends to be moving slower is called ___.
pg 5
Inside Bend:
- Objects and debris can accumulate in these areas.
- In high water, strong eddies may be present.
Water moves in layers, one upon the other from the bottom. Each subsequent layer moves faster than the last. This is called ___.
pg 5
Laminar Flow
the top layer of water is moving slower than that of the bottom.
This hole will tend to keep recycling the rescuer/victim in and out due to the nature of the shape is called ___.
pg 6
Low Head Dam
- This feature is evident by the perpendicular line formed if looking at the hole from up-stream.
- Since the reversal is perpendicular to the face of the object, the rescue/victim will be continually recycled through the hydraulic coming up in roughly the same location each time until rescued.
- These are killing machines and should be avoided.
Operational zones for inland water incidents are as follows:
pg 6
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.
*Note -The distance and locations of the warm and cold zones may be increased as deemed necessary for the incident. Some of the considerations may include but are not limited to geography, weather, topography, or changing conditions.
___ is where the current strikes a bank or shore of a water-way at a turn.
pg 7
Outside bend
The shore can to be undercut and/or eroded with water moving at a steady pace tends to force swimmer or boat into shore.
___ is where water meets an object and pushes water above water line.
pg 7
Pillow:
Water will push off to either side with a probable eddy on the opposite side downstream.
___ is rising of water due to encountering object underwater. Not quite enough to form an upstream V or a hydraulic.
pg 7
Reaction Wave
These small bumps give us warning while operating a boat and/or swimming.
___ is the left side or river bank, looking downstream.
pg 7
River Left
___ is the right side or river bank, looking downstream.
pg 7
River Right
___ is a safe or defensive swift water swimming position, in which the swimmer is positioned on their back with feet at the surface pointing downstream.
pg 7
Safe Swimming Position
This reduces the risk of foot entrapment and allows the swimmer to defend them against smashing into objects.
This feature is evident by the points on the outside of the hole going away from you if looking at the hole from up-stream. If you mentally flip the whole up towards you it makes a smile is called ___.
pg 8
Smiling Hole:
- This hole will tend to spit a rescuer out due to the nature of its shape.
- Since there is a reversal of flow as with all hydraulics, the rescuer will be forced out the bottom of the hole to the right or left.
___ is formed at the base of a downstream V due to channeling of the water into the chute/tongue.
pg 8
Standing wave:
- These waves are key to acknowledging the presence of a chute while in water swimming.
- Depending on amount and speed of water will determine size of waves.
Object or structure that allows water to pass through but not rescuer is called ___.
pg 9
Strainer
Examples (but not limited to): trees, fencing, cars/trucks, culvert/bridges with debris accumulated on upstream side, barbed wire, and guard rails.
___ is where water meets an object that is undercut or has a narrow hole through object.
pg 9
Under Cut:
- The water will either be at water level or slightly dipping below indicating the presence of the undercut.
- These should be avoided!
- These can hold a rescuer under water and/or force rescuer into hole creating a drowning hazard.
___ is the direction from which water is coming.
pg 9
Upstream
Personnel assigned to watch for incoming hazards that can directly affect the incident is called ___.
pg 9
Upstream Spotter
Units should be located a sufficient distance upstream of the incident to afford adequate reflex time.
___ indicate an object under the water.
pg 10
Upstream V
- The speed and the depth of the water flowing over the object will need to be taken into account to determine the location.
- The object could be directly under the V or further upstream.
- Caution should be used when either swimming and/or using boat-based rescues.
Victims/patients will usually fall within specific categories in regards to ability to help themselves. This is called ___
pg 10
Victim Recognition
This allows the rescuer to visually identify the potential level of rescue needed.
Normal
- Everyday swimmer/person, no trouble following commands and assisting in own rescue
Panic
- Can follow simple commands, can usually help themselves with proper direction
Counter Panic
- Blank stare with associated inability to follow commands or assist rescuers.
- Indicative of a GO rescue where immediate assistance by trained personnel is needed
Instinctive Drowning Response (IDR)
- Identified by victim face down in water able to get head up for a breath; this victim has < 60 second survival time
4 types of water and its characteristics:
pg 11
Swift Water – fast-moving with identifiable hydraulics features.
- For the purpose of this manual, any body of water with a consistent direction of flow will be considered swift water, excluding waterways such as the lower tidal Potomac River.
Flood Water – variation of a 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.
- Examples include: ponds, lakes, reservoirs, storm water retention ponds, and quarries.
Ice – May occur in any of the above listed bodies of water when surface temperature falls below the freezing point.
list of locations where water emergencies could occur:
pg 11
Natural Locations
- Low lying land or flood planes
- Streams and rivers
- Lakes, ponds and reservoirs
Man-made Locations
- Residential neighborhoods
- Commercial properties
- Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs
- Storm water retention ponds
- Roadways and bridges
- Low head dams
- Spillways and flood control channels
- Abandoned rock quarry filled with water
Hazards and challenges associated with specific environments are:
pg 12
Dynamic Hazards (objects moving in water)
- Vehicles
- Trees
- Propane tanks
- Animals
- Clothing
Static Hazards (stationary objects)
- Signs, poles and fire hydrants
- Manholes
- Picnictables
- Intake and culvert pipes
- Vehicles
- Guard rail, fencing and barbed wire
- Structures
- Utilities (power lines, gas service lines, etc.)
- Sloped shoreline, undercut objects and other items that could entrap
Challenges
- Weather and Season
- Accessibility
- Time of day, poor visibility and darkness
- Personnel and equipment resources
- Traveltime
- Number of victims
- Animals
- Potential crime scene
___ while working is a big concern due to the stressful nature of the events.
pg 12
Hyperthermia
- 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.
___ can also rapidly impact rescuers and victims.
pg 12
Hypothermia
If personnel are not adequately protected there will be a premature end or delay in the rescue efforts.
The ___ is obtained by adding ambient temperature plus the water temperature.
pg 12
aggregate temperature
- If the aggregate temperature is less than 140F, the potential for hypothermia is dramatically increased
- High wind conditions and moving water may alter temperature variables and lead to rapid heat loss.
- Physical condition, drugs, alcohol, medications, and food intake can all increase risk.
When the aggregate temperature is less than ___ , rescuers should consider additional PPE to include dry or ice rescue suits.
pg 13
140F
Water may contain various ___ and ___.
pg 13
chemical and biological waste products
- This may be the result of saturated ground, the overwhelming of sewage and septic systems, or industrial run-off
- Gross decontamination should be performed after each entry.
- Completion of exposure reports are recommended for all entries into flood waters.
Flood water should always be considered contaminated and ___ shall be worn to protect personnel from contaminants
pg 13
dry suits
- Gross decontamination should be performed after each entry.
- Completion of exposure reports are recommended for all entries into flood waters.
Common illnesses associated with exposure to ___.
- Gastrointestinal illnesses following ingestion of contaminated water or food.
- Infectious hepatitis or aseptic meningitis from viruses in sewage contaminated water.
- Leptospirosis following exposure to flood waters contaminated by animal urine.
- Intestinal bacteria such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Hepatitis A Virus, and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid, and tetanus.
pg 13
flood waters
___ as referred to in these recommendations, are inflatable, motorized, utility boats and are available to launch from a vehicle-accessible point to a body of water.
pg 14
Boats