Water Rescue Flashcards
Ice/Cold Water Rescue?
Engine and Ladder
E33W/ L9W
Entry into water or onto ice?
LAST RESORT
-determined that water entry rescue is NOT safe for a SURFACE rescue unit, IC should request Rescue
Cold Water REscue Suit has?
considerable buoyancy
Member trained in the suit ?
PRIMARY RESCUER
-lifeguard or trained scuba should be considered
- NOT a good practice to assign primary water rescuer as a riding position(use former lifeguard, swimmer, etc)
- DETERMINE AT ROLL CALL
Times we should NOT enter water?
- water/weather conditions-riptides, sweep, heigh of waves
- Location of victim-how far/reached safely?
- Skill level of rescuer-can rescuer reach victim or will rescuer become victim
- NIGHT OPS-members should not be allowed past line of sight from shore…portable lights should be used
members wearing Bunker Gear?
submerged under 1 minute(with or without SCBA)
-times reduced by member who panics
BUNKER GEAR DOES NOT FLOAT
Cold water exposure?
-intense shivering
-loss of coordination
-mental confusion
cyanotic/low pulse
Treatment?
- remove victim to WARM SHELTER
- transport carefully to prevent heart and stress
- DO NOT MASSAGE OR RUB VICTIM
- remove wet clothing/wrap in blankets
- cold water victims look dead
Hypothermia?
- body heat loss occurs 25 times faster in cold water than air
- body temp. drops below 98.6- 7 to 15 minutes
- below 90 degrees- non ambulatory to unconscious
Mammalian Dive Reflex?
- MDR
- oxygen conserving mechanism
- protects from inhalation of water into lungs
- more pronounced in YOUNG VICTIMS,
COLDER WATER, YOUNGER VICTIM, better chance
Tides?
- 4 tides/24 hours—2 in (high)/2 out (low)
- slack tide - 45 minutes between high/low
- Rip tides/currents-tide going out-primary source of stress-SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE
-Sweep tides-run PARALLEL to shore/WAVES DIAGONAL— going out more pronounced
Rescuers should enter water?
UPSTREAM of SWEEP
Each ice/cold water rescue unit has?
2 gear bags- primary /secondary rescuer
they contain PFD-PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE
Ice Awls? set of 2
secured to each suit- mobility
200 foot tether reel?
- small carabineer secured at end
- large ice carabineer placed in line on tether rope 4 feet from small carabineer -Butterfly knot
Stainless Steel stretcher?
4 points lifting bridle…can be used 4 or 2 pt. position
LSR
2 to 1 mechanical advantage for victim rescue - utility rope for drill
WATER SAFETY UNITS
RESCUE COORDINATOR?
OFFICER- located where they can observe
4 FF Engine- will ASSUME SPOTTER ROLE also, until additional unit arrives
-take THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA
WATER SAFETY UNITS
SPOTTER?
FF or Company Officer (single 4 man unit)- shall be positioned KEEP SIGHT of victim..may used apparatus/aerial/tower ladder
Primary Rescue Team?
Primary Rescuer-Don CWS- ONLY MEMBER WHO WILL APPROACH AND COMMUNICATE WITH VICTIM
Primary Tether- assist in donning of CWS and attach tether line to the suit’s harness…feed and control tether..pull rescuer and victim to safety
Secondary Rescue Team?
Secondary Rescuer- DON CWS- tethered to 2nd line in stand by position
Secondary Tether- assist 2nd rescuer in donning CWS-ensure 2nd tether line attached
All members except_____ will have HT’s?
primary/secondary rescuer- shall WEAR PFD’S
Arrive on Scene?
communicate with victim and see if they could self rescue
-CONFIRMED victim needs to be rescued, notify DISPATCH and request ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
3 methods..?
Reach-victim is AMBULATORY and can assist in their own rescue…use hook/pole or other device extend to victim
Throw- reach not feasible..throw rope to victim…victim should wrap rope around their arm..victim assists
Go-NON AMBULATORY- (victim UNABLE TO ASSIST) or too far from shore…LAST METHOD- most dangerous
Primary rescuer?
ONLY MEMBER to Approach and COMMUNICATe WITH VICTIM
All tether persons should wear?
PFD
WATER RESCUE?
tether line attached to REAR of suit- D-RING
(ice-front)
-water rescue torpedo attached to front of suit’s harness
-hold torpedo both hands/kick–pass torpedo to victim
Reaching ambulatory victim?
reach under victims armpits and place torpedo on victims chest and hold onto torpedo (rescuer)
ICe rescue procedure? WATER RESCUE UNIT
Reach Method- rescuer wearing CWS with pole or hook and throw rope…tether attached to FRONT of harness
-use reach from SAFE AREA
Throw method-dominant hand throws bag over and past victim- have victim wrap rope around their arm
Go- REQUIRES MEMBERS TO OPERATE ON ICE SHELF
-TETHER LINE front of chest
PFD worn OVER CWS–ONLY WITH ICE RESCUE
for non-ambulatory-reach around..rescuer enters water…need fins…carabineer in one hand/tether line in the other..approach victim from side or back
Stretcher procedures?
placing a victim on stretcher- BOTH RESCUERS
-victim brought to stretcher
victims head is loaded into END OF STRETCHER with floatation collar
-secure victim:
top strap - under armpits/across chest
middle strap-across waist
bottom-under one leg/over other leg
portable ladder and utility ropes to assist..LADDER HOOKS if possible..secure utility rope to top rung of ladder, then substantial object
-LsR- 2 to 1
bring VICTIM TO STRETCHER..upon retrieval of victim, stretcher passed down
Communications?
ONE hand a top of rescuers head- ready to be pulled to shore
one arm waving-stop pulling
Surf?
Rescue coordinator-Officer
Spotter-FF or Officer (4 man single unit)
Primary rescuer-don PFD/fins/equipped with torpedo-FIRST MEMBER TO APPROACH VIC
Secondary rescuer-don PFD and fins-tether line or tethered surf board..depending on water conditions
Tether ff-assist rescuers in donning equipment-feeds line-pulls to safety
Line rescue:
Victim Ambulatory-hand torpedo
Non Ambulatory-grab from rear
either way–await Secondary Rescuer(tether line and harness..not surfboard)
Surf Board:
secondary-tether attached to surf board and paddles out
both rescuers load victim on surfboard (surfboard used, IT MUST BE TETHERED)
-remove from waves before medical treatment..including spinal immobilization
Notes: Primary rescuer come to STOP, before approaching victim
Primary rescuer enters water WALKING backwards
Inflatable hose can be filled using ?
-Fast Pak
-apparatus
-SCBA
(not O2 tank)
YELLOW fittings spanner tight PRIOR to inflation
Inflatable hose should be secured using?
LSR
STRAIGHT LINE- fewer victims
LOOP- MORE VICTIMS
T OR F…LOOP INCREASES BUOYANCY
TRUE
each length of 2 1/2” hose holds approx 10 people
-more than 2 lengths can be used for larger operations
Inflation times:
SCBA- 45 minute cylinder-5 lengths-2.5 minutes
apparatus - 2 lengths - 20 seconds
apparatus is FASTER at inflation
TIDES:
4 Tides in 24 hours—2 are coming in (HIGH) and 2 going out (LOW)
RIP Currents are primary source of distress–occur when tides are going OUT
-Sweep tides -run PARALLEL to the beach…more pronounced going out
WAVES run DIAGONAL
How to escape a Rip current?
SWIM PARALLEL to shore
Rescue should enter water ?
UPSTREAM OF THE SWEEP …this will pull rescuer towards the victim
Rinse and air dry ropers and suits AFTER EACH USE….
ice and cold water equipment inspected JAJO-january, april, july, october
jan/july–suit removed and hung on broad shouldered hanger for 48 hours
-zipper lubricated
store unit with zipper open position
-do not use SOLVENTS
use soap water (dish soap)
Tech sErvices
WATER SAFTEY UNITS…
- remaining engine/ladder and battalions that are NOT water rescue units.
- these companies have WATER SAFETY KITS
- they can operate from ‘the shore’ alone, as well as assist Water rescue units and scuba trained companies
WATER SAFETY KIT..
- personal flotation device (2)
- yellow water rescue fittings (1 set)
- spanner wrenches (1 set)
- fittings carry bag
- throw rope in bag
- life ring
- life ring tether line
- WSK carry bag
Personal flotation device…
- -quick release harness
- FRONT-locking buckle wth pull cord release
- REAR-harness is an O-RING for attached tether line
THROW ROPE..
-75 feet of buoyant nylon rope and pre tied loop on the end to secure to members hand
PIMARY RESCUE TEAM/water safety unit..
PRIMARY RESCUE IN PFD, tended by member controlling tether line
SECONDARY RESUCE team /water safety UNIT..
additional rescuer PFD, also tended by member controlling tether line…PRIMARY OBJECTIVE is ENSURE SAFTEY of PRIMARY RESCUE TEAM, but they are permitted to enter water for SECOND VICTIM
WHO will DON PFD’S…
members SELECTED AT ROLL CALL–don before getting on apparatus
Confirmation of victim to be rescue..
NOTIFY DISPATCH and request additional resources
Three methods of rescue…WATER SAFETY UNIT
REACH
-THROW
GO
REACH…
- considered ANY long object at scene (outstretched hand, ladders, hooks, pole, inflatable water rescue hose -straight line,)
- victim instructed to grasp object, if victim is physically unable to assist in the rescue, ATTEMPT TO CONTROL VITCIM WITH TOOL OR OBJECT
- the reach method should not be abandoned, even after a water rescue unit is on scene
-may use HORIZONTALLY EXTENDED TL OR AERIAL
inflatable water rescue hose…
-attach fittings to a length of 2 1/2” hose and fill it with air
-straight line or loop
-each length approx 10 people
-
THROW…
- -used in conjunction with reach method or when reach is NOT FEASIBLE, involves throw bag and /or life ring with tether line
- remove loop and place on NON throwing hand, dominant hand throws bag
- throw bag OVER and PAST VICTIM
- have victim wrap rope around their arm and hole rope, pull to safety
GO….
- LAST method to water SAFETY units
- ONLY UNDER EXTREME LIFE SAFTEY EMERGENCIES in which a member of unit equipped with only a water safety kit shall enter water
- member should have feet protected, wear shoes or bunker boots (NOT BUNKER GEAR)
pfd with tether rope..
- notify dispatch that FDNY personnel is entering the water
- properly donned PFD
- properly tethered using LSR or 75’ throw rope attached to O RING ON THE BACK OF THE PFD using the snap hook
- enter water with LIFE RING
- if victim is ambulatory, pass victim LIFE RING
- IF VICTIM is non ambulatory, grab hold from rear and keep victims head above water
- rescuer signals to tether team
if tether line becomes tangled, ff can pull quick release and this will release tether line
Water RESCUE UNIT…
TWO GEAR BAGS with following equipment: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RESCUER -water safety kit -binoculars -megaphone -stokes -stokes flotation collar -CWS -3 -fins -mask -snorkel TETHER ROPE 200 FEET flotation sling atlas life belt PFD (2 IN SAFETY KIT) ICE AWLS WATERPROOF flashlight -personal strobe lights
Primary rescue (water rescue )
- -don CWS
- TAKE TORPEDO to the vicinity of victim
- establish and maintain communication with victim
primary tether..
- attach tether line to suits harness
- DON PFD
- if member to be lowered , don atlas life belt
Secondary rescuers…
-don SECOND CWS and be tethered in stand by position
secondary tether …
-don PFD and attach tether line
ALL MEMBERS , except.———–will be equipped with HT
primary and secondary RESCUER
-primary /secondary tethers (HT and all members near father shall don PFD
REACH/THROW same for WATER RESCUE/SAFETY UNIT..
GO method for water RESCUE:
-rescuer shall never enter water without torpedo
-go method is used as soon as properly equipped members are on the scene and the victim has not been rescued
-most dangerous
-if victim is more than 200 feet from shore (need multiple tethers lines )
-use reach of rescue torpedo, hand victim torpedo BEFORE you approach them
-primary rescue only rescuer to communicate with victim
Upon reaching a NON amBULATORY victim, rescuer reaches under the victims armpits and places torpedo on victims chest and holds onto TORPEDO
When deciding on method of victim removal..
rescuer should consider head, neck, or spinal injuries
POINT OF EXIT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SAME AS POINT OF ENTRY
USING STOKES BASKET..
-bring VICTIM to stokes basket near point of exit
-may need more than one rescuer to place victim in stokes
-use 2:1 mechanical with ladder and LSR if needed:
TOP RUNG anchor point for 2;1
–flotation collar at head/stokes lowered feet first
–working end of rope passed through small carabineer on –the bottom of stokes 1/3 of way down from head
–primary rescue will guide the head of the stokes between beams of ladder
COMMUNICATIONS:
- ONE HAND on top of head -READY TO BE PULLED TO SHORE
- ONE ARM waving in the air–STOP PULLING
MOST IMPORTANT consideration:
SAFETY of FDNY personnel
request from ____direction of tide..
MARINE UNIT
verify eta of marine unit
USE OF 800 MHZ
MONITORING NYPD SOD channel
victims and members who enter water should be ..
EVALUATED BY EMS
-consider need for DECON ENGINE whenever members enter the water
RINSE and AIR DRY all ropes and suits and carabineers ..
AFTER EACH USE AND DRILL
INSPECT all water /ice rescue equipment..
JAJO JANUARY APRIL JULY OCTOBER
REMOVE suit from bag and hang on broad shouldered hanger for ..
48 hours
JANUARY AND JULY
- treat zipper with CANDLE WAX
- open and close zipper 2-3 times
- store suit with zipper in OPEN position
if suit becomes contaminated or soiled with oil..
scrub with MILD SOAP (dish soap), rinse with fresh water
-do not use solvents
damaged equipment sent to TECH SERVICES
WATER SAFETY UNITS /ICE RESCUE..
REACH: if victim is unable to grab/control with tool -hand -ladders -hooks /poles- -inflatable water rescue hose THROW--victim is ambulatory employed simultaneously with REACH (same method as water rescue )
GO: NOT RECCOMENDED for any unit without a CWS to enter the water
