Water Rescue

Question 1

If there is a risk of personnel entering the water accidentally, who should the IC appoint?

Answer 1

Safety officer with appropriate PPE and a throw line

Question 2

When working near moving water the IC in addition to a safety officer should nominate … what?

Answer 2

Spotters up stream and down stream, equipped with throw lines. The IC should also consider ordering a FRU for extra bank side safety

Question 3

What is water level 1 operations?

Answer 3

Where firefighter work within 3m of an unprotected edge, or enter the water that is both shallow enough not to come over the boots and slow moving.

Question 4

What is level 2 water?

Answer 4

Where firefighters may have to enter (still or fast) to affect a rescue. This involves all people in water and any other incidents beyond the limits of level 1

Question 5

What is level 3 water operations?

Answer 5

Operations that involve flood response kits (FRK) where FF’s may be require work under the guidance of FRU SRT

Question 6

When will Technical rescue advisor TAR informed and mobilised?

Answer 6

Informed at level 1

Mobilised at level 2

And it is not necessary for a TAR to be present for operations to commence

Question 7

With mud, ice and partially frozen water who is equipped to perform go/tow rescues?

Answer 7

Only FRU SRT. The IC should not use untrained personnel unless the result could be loss of life.

Question 8

When working in or near water for extended periods what should be worn?

Answer 8

UV sun cream factor 50 avail on poms and found on front line appliances and FRU’s

Question 9

How often is it recommend that working on water training undertaken?

Answer 9

At least once every year.

Question 10

If there is any doubt as to what level of water operation it should be deemed as?

Answer 10

Level 2

Question 11

What is the min PPE for a FF entering the water to affect a rescue?

Answer 11

• Full firefighting PPE
• personal flotation devices

Fire helmets should be removed unless there is a danger of head injury and the chin strap should be unfasten.

Question 12

If there is a risk of personnel entering the water accidentally what should the IC do?

Answer 12

Nominate a safety officer, who should dressed in appropriate PPE and have a throw line.

Question 13

When conducting a rescue what is the hierarchy?

Answer 13

Level 1 - talk. - ff

           Reach. - ff

           Throw. - ff

Level 2 - wade. - ff/ FRU SRT

            Row.    - FRU SRT only

           Go/tow - FRU SRT only

Question 14

Sub surface rescues?

Answer 14

Sub surface rescue are considered to be too high because it involves hazards which goes beyond the capability of LFB

As a result firefighters must not attempt rescues which involve them placing their heads under water.

Question 15

During flood procedure first responders (firefighters) may be ask to get to work. What size crew, under the direction of who and watch level of PPE?

Answer 15

Firefighters should wear PPE provided as part of the FRK and work in teams of 4 (including a Cm or wm) with a designated FRU SRT acting safety officer.

Question 16

At flood water rescue incident were FRK is being used what colour helmet will

Firefighter

FRU swift water technician

TRA

Answer 16

Firefighter helmet is yellow

FRU swift water technician red

TRA white with surcoat with TRA insert

Question 17

Operating in flood water crews will be required to wade access premises or carry tasks. But what is depth of water allowed when wearing L3 PPE?

Answer 17

60cm or 2 ft in practice this is at knee height for most firefighters

Question 18

Level 3 water operations equipment

Stored a brigade distribution centre in Croydon

5 x flood response kits

In each kit are 5 boats
1 versadock raft
And how much PPE?

Answer 18

PPE for up to 20 firefighters

Question 19

Part of the FRK is flood rescue boats (5 per kit)

The boats can be powered or towed by line but it is likely that the majority of evacuations operations it will be pulled by firefighters.

How many people can be in the boat?

Answer 19

8 adults

Question 20

Following a flood event PPE should be decontaminated how and then what should happen to it?

Answer 20

Decontaminated utilising the appliances hose reel, removed and put in PPE pallet box. LM at RMC will arrange for it to be sent to a suitable location to be dried.

The HMEPO or SA are on hand to advise on level of decontamination.

Question 21

Should the initial call give an indication that people are in the water. Brigade will do what?

Answer 21

Order an ambulance but it is the IC’s responsibility to check an ambulance has been ordered.

Question 22

What is the additional danger when animals are stranded in water, ice etc?

Answer 22

The owner may take unsafe action to try to rescue.

Animals will often find their own way out without the need of assistance??? The IC should ask advice from RSPCA

Question 23

Who is responsible for body recovery from water? However if the brigade are called we should presume what? Unless? 3

Answer 23

Police are responsible for all aspects associated with the body.

The person is alive

• Unless face down for 90mins
• body has started to decompose
• pronounced dead by doctor

Question 24

Vehicle rescues from water. Where is the safest place to approach work?

Answer 24

From the side not up or down stream of the vehicle.

Question 25

When attending flooding /water related incident where a risk to life exists. Brigade will be expected to do what?

Answer 25

Remain at the scene until it is made safe or until scene safety has been handed over to responsibility to appropriate authority, e.g highways, local authority or police

Question 26

If a firefighter is required to enter the water for a rescue (FRU still not in attendance) what should be your actions?

Answer 26

- needs to have competent and capable person - all are fully briefed - a floating safety upper visor must be in place - rigged correctly - consider hose inflation kit for casualty/rescuer - effective communications between IC/safety/rescuer. Clear verbal comms. Reduce noise engine off. - enter water slowly (shock) - gauge depth (ceilings hook...) - monitor rescuer - replaced with FRU asap - send message

Question 27

If FRU SRT are to be committed to say move a HVP submersible pump. Is this a level 2 incident?

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

What should the IC order if it return out that the incident (water incident) involves ice?

Answer 28

Send a message “implement water level 2, rescue path required”

Question 29

How many swift water rescue units are there? And where is working on water equipment carried?

Answer 29

10 water rescue units Working on water equipment is carried on PL’s

Question 30

what would class as water level incident?

Answer 30

Operations where firefighters work within 3m of an unprotected waters edge, or enter water that is both shallow enough not to compromise their PPE (i.e. over the top of their fire boots) and slow moving enough that there is no foreseeable risk that they will be swept off their feet.

Question 31

When would a water related incident being classed as level 2?

Answer 31

Operations where firefighters may have to commit to water (still or moving) to affect a rescue. This includes all incidents involving people in the water and any other incidents beyond the limitations of level 1. These incidents present specific hazards and will in all but exceptional circumstances only be carried out by Fire Rescue Unit (FRU) Swift Water Rescue Technicians (SRT) who have the training and equipment to implement safe systems of work. If in any doubt level 2 should be declared

Question 32

Can a standard FF be committed to ice, mud, partially frozen water?

Answer 32

ICs must not commit untrained personnel on or into mud, ice or partially frozen water unless the situation is so critical that to await the arrival of further resources is likely to result in loss of human life. In such circumstances every effort must be made to reduce the risk to firefighters

Question 33

On arrival at a water incident, what should the IC initial actions be?

Answer 33

Gather information cordons Clearing bystanders Send an early message

Question 34

In the hierarchy of rescue, what is meant by TALK?

Answer 34

Talk (self rescue) reassure the casualty and encourage them to leave without assistance

Question 35

In the hierarchy of rescue, what is meant by REACH?

Answer 35

reach - assist the casualty out of the water with an out stretch arm or equipment such a ceiling hook, hose inflation kit

Question 36

In the hierarchy of rescue, what is meant by | THROW?

Answer 36

Throw a throw line.

Question 37

Before a firefighter (non SRT) enters the water to affect a rescue the incident must be escalated to a level 2 water operation and the following control measures must be in place?

Answer 37

• A firefighter who is considered competent and capable of performing the rescue should be identified by the IC. • All personnel must be fully briefed about the rescue procedure and the role of each individual. • A floating safety line supervisor must be in place. • Anyone entering the water must be rigged correctly and attached to a floating safety line. * Consider using inflated fire hose to provide additional buoyancy for the casualty and the rescuer. * Effective communications must be established and maintained between the IC, the rescuer and all safety personnel. • Keep noise to a minimum around the area of operations to facilitate clear verbal communications e.g. switch off appliance engines if parked close by. • Personnel to enter the water slowly to minimise cold water shock and reduce the chance of injury. Any immersion in cold water can compromise even good swimmers almost immediately. • Gauge the depth of the water before entering and if necessary, take a ceiling hook or other piece of equipment to regularly gauge the water depth. * The floating safety line supervisor is to monitor the rescuer for signs of distress and if they appear in distress or become unresponsive to withdraw rescuer immediately. * Any firefighter committed to the water should be replaced by FRU SRT as soon as practicable

Question 38

who can carry out a WADE rescue?

Answer 38

FRU SRT A wade rescue is defined as: “Where circumstances dictate, it may be necessary to enter the water and then carry out a “Reach” or “Throw” rescue”

Question 39

What should water safety officers be equipped with as a min?

Answer 39

PDF personal floatation device and a throw line

Question 40

water incidents Spotters should be positioned where? with what?

Answer 40

Spotters should be positioned upstream and if practicable on both sides of the watercourse to give advance warning of any surface hazard heading towards the scene positioning downstream safety officers dressed in full PPE (minimum Lifejacket) and equipped with throw lines. If practicable, they should be positioned on both sides of the watercourse. Both up and down stream spotters with have communication link with the IC

Question 41

A casualty removed from water should be encouraged to do what to prevent hypothermic shock?

Answer 41

Every effort should be made to keep the casualty in a horizontal position when recovered from the water and during subsequent treatment, to prevent hypothermic shock.

Question 42

All people who have entered the water should be assessed by the ambulance service for what?

Answer 42

the possible affects of hypothermia/secondary drowning.

Question 43

Who would be the responsible agency at water related body recovery incident?

Answer 43

Requests to attend this type of incident usually originate from the Police, who are responsible for all aspects associated with the discovery of a body, including recovery, documentation and notification to the Coroner. Any incident where a body is discovered should initially be treated as a crime; as such crews should make every effort not to disturb the area.

Question 44

What's the PDA for level 2 water?

Answer 44

* 2 x PA * 2 x BT (FRU) * 1 x PATH (FRU) * 1 x CU * 1 X TAR