Water Rescue and Safety On Near Or In (PN 581) 20/20

Question 1

How Many Metres should the ‘Restricted Zone’ be from the waters edge?

Answer 1

3 metres

Question 2

Level 1 is instigated when?

Answer 2

FF’s are working within 3m’s of the edge

Question 3

If water compromises PPE (goes over boots) what level water operations should be instigated?

Answer 3

Level 2

Question 4

What are ‘The Hierarchy of Rescue’ in Level 1?

Answer 4

Talk > Reach > Throw > Wade

Question 5

What are ‘The Hierarchy of Rescue’ in Level 2?

Answer 5

Wade > Row > Go/Tow

Question 6

What do we mean by ‘Talk’ in the hierarchy?

Answer 6

Self Rescue

Question 7

In what circumstances can non SRT/FRU crew members enter the water?

Answer 7

Only as a very last resort in a critical situation where waiting would likely result in loss of human life

Question 8

At what point in the level 1 hierarchy must the incident be escalated to ‘Level 2’?

Answer 8

Wade

Question 9

What is minimum level of PPE to enter water?

Answer 9

Full fire kit, PFD and no helmet (or strap undone)?

Question 10

Should water depth be gauged and if so how?

Answer 10

Yes, ceiling hook

Question 11

What is a ‘floating safety line Supervisor’?

Answer 11

A FF who monitors the rescuer for signs of distress and withdraws them if necessary

Question 12

What are the qualifying factors that an IC should require when picking a rescuer?

Answer 12

‘Competent and Capable’

Question 13

What message should be sent if a FF enters the water?

Answer 13

Priority Message detailing actions and requesting additional resources if needed.

Depending on the circumstances the IC may need to consider an Operational Discretion Message and/or completing a Key Decision Log.

Question 14

What are the 2 contaminants detailed in this OPs note?

Answer 14

Leptospirosis / Weils Disease

and Blue-green Algae

Question 15

Is it Level 2 water opps if the water entered is still?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

When does Level 3 water opps kick in?

Answer 16

Incidents using FRK

Question 17

What does FRK stand for?

Answer 17

Flood Rescue Kit

Question 18

What does ERB stand for?

Answer 18

Emergency Rescue Boat

Question 19

The following are control measures when effecting a Rescue:

Competent and Capable Rescuer
Fully Briefed
A floating line supervisor
Rigged correctly

What is missing? (7)

Answer 19

Effective Comms
Minimum Noise
Enter slowly 
Gauge the Depth
Monitor Rescuer 
FFs replaced by FRU SRT
Priority Message

Question 20

• The maximum capacity of the rescue boat (ERB) is? *

Answer 20

7 people (650kg)

Question 21

What are the symptoms and stages of Leptospirosis in the first 10 days?

Answer 21

3-4 days flu like illness
6-7 days severe headache and conjunctivitis with a possibility of meningitis
8-10 days kidney failure an the obvious beginning of jaundice

If untreated the organisms will spread to other organs and may lead to Heart failure

Question 22

What are the 3 reasons listed that ERB’s can be useful when searching on the Thames?

Answer 22

1) Size and Manoeuvrability
2) Access under and around objects
3) Can be launched from access points other than slipways

Question 23

What are the 5 pieces of information to be sought from eye witnesses?

Answer 23

1) Number of people
2) Where they were last seen
3) Did the have Floatation Devices
4) What clothing were they wearing
5) Any local knowledge of water hazards

Question 24

There are 13 Hazards associated with WATER listed in the note, can you name 10?

Answer 24

1) Surface movement
2) Strength of Current/Flow
3) Presence of Undercurrents (eddies, whirlpools, stoppers etc)
4) Depth of Water
5) Size of the body of Water
6) Temperature
7) Water clarity
8) Pollution
9) Entrapment
10) Moving Vessels
11) Missing drain covers
12) Unexpected change of flow
13) Sluice Gates

Question 25

There are 8 Hazards associated with Water RESCUES can you name 5?

Answer 25

1) Noise and Comprised Communications
2) Poor Access, steep banks
3) Slippery surfaces and trip hazards
4) Electrical Hazards
5) Manual Handling
6) Poor Lightning
7) Panicked Casualty’s
8) Bystander pressure

Question 26

What does SRT stand for?

Answer 26

Swiftwater Rescue Technician

Question 27

What does TRA stand for?

Answer 27

Technical Rescue Advisor

Question 28

What 5 things should the FRU/TRA/IC consider following a Risk Assessment?

Answer 28

1) Location of Casualty
2) Access to Casualty
3) Stabilisation of Casualty
4) Extrication of Casualty
5) Transportation of Casualty

Question 29

In exceptional circumstances ‘Wade’ rescues may be carried out by Firefighters. What remaining 3 types of Rescue can only be carried out by FRU SRT’s?

Answer 29

ROW
GO
TOW

Question 30

** A Tactical Rescue Adviser (TRA) will attend at what level of Water Incident? **

Answer 30

? Tbc