Swift Water Technician Manual Flashcards
Dry suit vs Wetsuit
Both provide thermal protection
-Wetsuit is more resistant to wear and tear while providing buoyancy
-Drysuit provides more thermal protection but can fill up with contaminants and water if damage occurs
what type of footwear should never be worn in or around the water
Turnout boots or steel toed
Whats the most important piece of equipment when working near the water
PFDs
what PFD should first responders wear
Type III or V with minimum of 15lbs of floation
what type of PFD should a technician wear
A Type III opr V with between 15-22lbs of floation and a built in “Live Bait Strap”
what type of helmets should be worn
Light weight with self draining. Fixed brim helmets should not be worn
Question #1: Explain river right and river left
Right side of river looking downstream and left side of river looking downstream
We avoid north/south/east/west because the river is always changing and this is the clearest form of communication
Question #1 back up: why do we use river right and river left
We avoid north/south/east/west because the river is always changing and this is the clearest form of communication
Question #2: Explain Upstream and Downstream
Upstream is where the water is coming from and downstream is where water is going
Question #3: What is an eddy
An eddy is an upstream current that forms behind a surface object in the river, or behind a bank or curve in the river
Question #3 cont: How do we identify an eddy
It can be identified by circular or swirling water behind an object, where the flow of water is opposite than the main current
Question #3 Cont: What is an eddy fence
the line between the upstream and downstream currents in an eddy
Question 4: What is an offensive and defensive ferry angle
A ferry angle is placing an object (body or boat) at 45 degree angle to the current vector forcing the current to push that object in a desired direction
Question 4 Cont: what is offensive ferry angle
Aggressive swimming posture on stomach
Question 5: What is a strainer
a build up of debris, a fallen tree, a man made object like chain link fence or any object that can trap objects in the water but allow water to flow through
Question 6: What is a hydraulic
formed by water pouring over an obstruction. A low pressure area is formed on the back side of the object. Water is drawn from downstream to fill this void.
-The recirculation of water frequently traps victims and debris. Known affectionately as “keeper,”
“stopper,” or “maytag”
Question 6: What is a hydraulic (hole)
Also known a s a hole, a hydraulic is reverse current that tends to hold or trap a buoyant object
Question 6 cont: what are the different types of holes/ hydraulics
There are 3 main types: (starting most dangerous)
1. Frowning hole
-the current will push and hold an object in the center
2. Classic hydraulic
-found at base of low head dam or bottom of gradient change in river
3. Smiling hole
-strong at center but decreases on sides making it easier to get out
Question 7: What is a tension diagonal
a secured line between 2 points with a minimum angle of 45 degrees or greater to the current vector
-downstream end is anchored to the direction the subject or rescuer needs to travel
Question 8: What is helical flow
The corkscrew flow of the water between the shoreline and main current
-identified by swirling motion on banks of river
Extra Questions #1: What is laminar flow
“the layered flow of water which is slower on the bottom and the sides, and faster towards the center and the surface”
Extra Questions part 1 continued: How do we identify laminar flow
Laminar flow can be identified by smooth parallel layers of fluids without mixing
standing wave
pillow
found at upstream side of obstacles. Water pushes up into a higher mound on the
upstream side of the obstacle, which forms a cushion pushing away objects like boats from
it. These are also known as “cushions
low head dam
man-made obstruction with a sustained reversal that extends from one
side of channel to the other. When a low head dam has sufficient water flow, a continuous
“hole” may extend across the downstream side of the feature.
downstream V vs upstream V
A upstream V indicates an ubstruction and points upstream
Downstream V has point downstream and is safe path
put in point vs take out point
arizona crossing
What are these
Eddy
A and B- Eddy Lines and Eddy Fences
C- downstream current/laminar flow
What is this
A: Hydraulic
B: Boil
what is our order of operations
Primary Operation:
-COMMUNICATION
-FLOATATION
First responder:
-REACH
-THROW
Swift water:
-ROW
-GO
-TOW
Specialized:
-HELO
