TB 099 - River Rescue - First Responder Flashcards
What are the three main waterways
Los Angeles river, the San Gabriel, the Rio hondo
On an annual basis in the United States, approximately ____- _____ people die in water related emergencies.
6,000 to 9,000
The most alarming part of this statistic is the fact that up to _____ of these drownings are “would-be” rescuers.
One third
Within Los Angeles County, on an annual basis there are an average of ___swiftwater rescue incidents which are handled by some form of first responder personnel.
60
How many types of rescues are there and what are they
2
Land rescues (first responders) and in water rescues( swift water)
We must remember that ____ ____ is the priority. Rescue of our _______ is second, and the rescue of the _____ is the final outcome.
Self rescue
Teammate
Victim
A list of the swiftwater rescue options from low-risk to high-risk is:
Communication
Floatation
Reach
Throw
Go
Row
Tow
Helo
This grouping is then broken down into the following:
1. Primary Options, all levels
2. First Responder Options
3. Swift water Team Options
4. Specially Trained Personnel
- COMMUNICATION, FLOATATION
2.reach throw
- Row go tow
- Helo
COMMUNICATION:
Once victim is located they should be directed to assume a defensive position which is?
Floating on their back feet facing downstream
COMMUNICATION:
The victim shall then utilize a ferry angle (angling their body __ degrees against the current with the head pointing toward the “target” river bank).
45 DEGREES
What does floatation for victims provide for rescuers?
A visible “marker”
An option which has proven itself to be extremely versatile in the river rescue setting is the
Tension diagonal line
The tension diagonal is generally a rope which is tensioned across a channel at a downstream angle of no more than __ degrees to the current flow or vector
45 degrees
Tension diagonal line:
should be emphasized that this need not be a ____ _____ system
High tension system
The ideal height of the tension diagonal line is?
Just off the water
The deployment of the ___ ____ relies on the positioning of a tensioned diagonal line From which it is suspended
Rescue net
Once attached to the diagonal line, the net is controlled by
4 taglines
In the ______ or “____” position the net is held completely out of the water to prevent entanglement with objects floating downstream.
Waiting or “ready”
The two ____ ____tag lines are used to move the net laterally over the water in coordination with an upstream spotter who directs net movement relative to victim position in the river.
Top side
The two _____-_____ tag lines are used to control the net in the water.
Bottom side
From the ready position, the net is dropped into the water on mutual command when the victim is still_____-_____ seconds upstream.
5-10 seconds
The preferred hose for this evolution, inflated fire hose, is __-__feet (maximum) of ___ inch firefighting hose.
50-100
2 1/2
The female end of the hose should be capped or plugged (utilize________
2 1/2’’ double male with cap
The ideal inflation pressure is
50-60 psi
Inflated fire hose may be filled in the same manner as a “water-gun” extinguisher, either with the Maxi-Force Air Bag _____ or from the _____ _____ _____
Regulator
Apparatus air tanks
Once the hose is filled it may be placed into the ready position, suspended from the downstream side of a bridge/overpass approximately
One foot above the water
In the event that the channel width is greater than 50 feet, a ______ may be used to tie off the end of the hose allowing greater flexibility in reaching center channel.
Lifeline
The use of ________ has been proven to be one of the most versatile rescue techniques as is evidenced by the highest number of rescues per year.
Throwbags
avoid areas of bad footing, such as
Cliff edges, tops of boulders, and loose debris
The “_____” shall be attached to a tether, since his mobility upstream or downstream is not necessary.
Thrower
The “______” shall be tied off to a belay system This gives him the ability to move upstream or downstream to catch the victim pendulumming in at variable lengths.
Catcher
an ______- throw which will spool the line out across the victim’s chest has proven to be most effective.
Underhand
An alternate method of “throw” rescue involves the use of
Rescue ring buoys
It should be emphasized that any time immediate rescue is not taking place, ______ should be given to the victim.
Floatation
The most reliable method for this is the observer (on a bridge) to drop the ring buoy where?
directly to the victim.
Protective gear is mandatory for rescuers within how many feet of the water
10 feet
Head Protection:
Lightweight helmets without a fixed brim, self draining with a chin strap
Floatation: Personal Floatation Devices, (P.F.D.’s) with a minimum rating of
ClassIII/V
Footwear: Light Footwear Recommended, i.e., tennis shoes, wetsuit booties. ABSOLUTELY NO
Turnout boots
Thermal Protection: Lightweight Layering. ABSOLUTELY NO
Turnout clothing or ems jackets
An upstream current that forms behind a surface object in the river, or behind a bank or curve in the river.
Eddy
The line between the upstream and downstream currents in an eddy.
Eddy fence
A buildup of debris, a fallen tree, or a man-made object such as a chain link fence which traps objects in the water, but will allow water to flow through.
Strainer
A water pattern formed by a large volume of water flowing over a fixed object.
Standing wave
Formed when water barely passes over an object. An eddy still forms on the downstream side.
Pillow
A “V” of water that is caused by the convergence of a downstream water flow.
Downstream v
V” pointing upstream caused by the downstream flow of water around an object. Considered to be a dangerous downstream path.
Upstream V
Where the water is coming from.
Upstream
Where the water is going.
Downstream
The right side of the river (looking downstream).
River right
The left side of the river (looking downstream).
River left
The layered flows of water which are slower on the bottom and sides, and faster toward the surface.
Laminar flow
A circular, rolling flow of water near the banks which forces water midstream.
Helical flow
