Water Rescue Awareness Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

Objectives: Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Recognize the need for water search and rescue based upon the complexity of the incident Define and implement the assessment phase of the operation Identify the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water operations Implement site control and scene management Recognize the general hazards associated with water incidents and the procedures necessary to mitigate these hazards within the general search and rescue area Determine rescue or recovery profile(S) Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents Pasco Fire Department 9.2.3 Organizations operating at the awareness level at water search and rescue incidents shall implement procedures for the following: Recognizing the need for water search and rescue Implementing the assessment phase Identifying the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water operations Implementing site control and scene management Recognizing general hazards associated with water incidents and the procedures necessary to mitigate these hazards within the general search and rescue area Determining rescue versus body recovery The assessment phase is defined by NFPA 1670 3.3.10 – The process of assessing the conditions, the scene, and the subject’s condition and ability to assist in his or her own rescue. (Size Up) Water Rescue Awareness

Pasco Fire Department WAC 296-305 Water Rescue Awareness 296-305-05101 Written standard operating procedures shall be established consistent with the following levels: Awareness Level – This level represents the minimum capability of organizations that provide response to technical rescue incidents 296-305-05103 Training shall be provided to correspond to the operational level of the fire department. All fire departments shall be trained to the awareness level; members which will be expected to perform at a higher operational level shall be trained to that level. 295-3-5-05113 (5) Organizations choosing to operate at the awareness, operations or technician level for water rescue incidents must meet the requirements of this section and the nonconflicting portions of chapter 9 of the 2009 edition of NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents. (ii) All employees involved in water rescue shall be trained in water rescue techniques and wear Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, Type III, minimum. Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

Standard Operating Guideline’s Pasco Fire Department Standard Operating Guideline’s Pasco Fire Department 30-6.7.1 – Water Search and Rescue This SOG shall apply to all Pasco Fire Department personnel responding to and operating within a Water Rescue Incident or Training Environment. 30-6.7.2 – Personal Floatation Devices and Personnel Safety involving water incidents This guideline is established to meet the intent and requirements of water rescue as defined by WAC 296-305-051130(5)(a) and Chapter 9 of the 2009 edition of NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents Water Rescue Awareness

Pasco Fire Department Definitions Water Rescue Awareness Awareness Level Actions taken by the responders at the Awareness Level are defensive in nature and should pose no risk, or a low level of risk to the responder. This level represents the minimum capability of organizations that provide response to technical rescue incidents. Operational Level Actions taken at the Operational Level are of limited offensive nature and generally at a low or moderate risk to the responder. This level represents the capability of organizations to respond to technical rescue incidents and to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply limited techniques to support and participate in technical rescue incidents. Technical Level Actions taken by the responders are offensive in nature and may pose a high level of risk. This level represents the capability of organizations to respond to technical rescue incidents, to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply advanced techniques specified to coordinate, perform, and supervise technical rescue incidents. Pasco Fire Department NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents A.4.1.10.4 – In all types of search and rescue incidents, the potential exists for extenuating circumstances that would require expertise beyond the normal capability of the organization to operate safety. Examples of these situations include, but are not limited to, the following: (5) Water Search and Rescue – Depth, current, water movement, water temperature extremes, or severe environmental conditions (e.g., snow and rain) Water Rescue Awareness

Water Rescue Size Up Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Scope, Magnitude, and nature of the incident (complexity) Location and number of victims Risk/Benefit Analysis Separation, isolation, security, and interviewing of witnesses Hazards – disrupted or exposed utilities, standing or flowing water, mechanical hazards, hazmat, explosives Access to the scene Environmental Factors Resource assessment Rescue/Recovery Water Rescue Awareness

Water Rescue Incident Complexity Operations Level – is determined by The method of victim entrapment Operations are conducted only from the shore -or- Are conducted from any watercraft used by the organization Pasco Fire Department Technician Level – is determined by Any water rescue in which technical rope skills are needed Operations in which the rescuer must enter the water The complexity levels are determined by NFPA 1670 sections 9.3.5 and 9.4.9 Water Rescue Awareness

Examples Include: Rivers, Streams, Canals, Pools, Lakes, Gravel Pits, Surface Water Pasco Fire Department Examples Include: Rivers, Streams, Canals, Pools, Lakes, Gravel Pits, Storm Drain Systems Water Rescue Awareness

Incident Causes……….Most Likely Pasco Fire Department Changes in Weather Overconfidence No Personal Floatation Device(s) Cramps Submerged Debris Collision of watercraft Most incidents are preventable – many are caused by simply under-estimating the situation. Water Rescue Awareness

Swift Water Pasco Fire Department Water that is moving at a rate greater than one knot [1.85 km/hr (1.15 mph)] – NFPA 1670 3.3.160 Some Parts of the Yakima River Columbia and Snake Rivers Some Irrigation Canals Water Rescue Awareness

Water Hazards Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

Hydraulics Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Water weighs 62 pounds per cubic foot. Mass obeys the laws of physics, moving water has tremendous energy. A knowledgeable rescuer will be able to “read” the water and predict with reasonable certainty where the dangers lie. Water Rescue Awareness

Eddy Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Eddy An eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. Pasco Fire Department Eddy The moving fluid creates a space devoid of downstream-flowing fluid on the downstream side of the object. Fluid behind the obstacle flows into the void creating a swirl of fluid on each edge of the obstacle, followed by a short reverse flow of fluid behind the obstacle flowing upstream. Water Rescue Awareness

Outwash/Backwash Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Boil Line Outwash Backwash Water Rescue Awareness

Current Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Slower moving water tends to be at the outside of the channel and on the downstream side of the bend. Water moving down a gradient responds to the configuration of the channel in predictable ways Slower moving water tends to be at the bottom water layer of the channel. Water Rescue Awareness

Water Temperature Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness The Body cannot maintain its temperature in water that is less than 92 degrees F. Heat loss occurs 25 times faster in water than in air Immersion often leads to hypothermia Pasco Fire Department Hypothermia can lead to The inability to self-rescue The inability to follow simple instructions The inability to grasp a line or floatation device A sudden immersion may lead to laryngospasm or drowning. Research completed in 2007 to determine the impact of hypothermia in swift water rescue situations found that water between 70-79 degrees F resulted in an 8% fatality rate due to hypothermia. In water under 59 degrees F, 40% of accidents were fatal and the risk of death significantly increases with lower temperatures. 60% of boaters die in water between 50 and 68 degrees F. Water Rescue Awareness

Strainers Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Partial Obstructions that filter water Downed trees, gratings, mesh Creates unequal force across itself People become pinned by the waters force Pasco Fire Department Have the victim attempt to swim over the object DO NOT put your feet on the bottom of the channel Water Rescue Awareness

Low Head Dams Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Dangers Low Head Dams are control structures used on channels. They partially block the waterway and “back up” the water behind them. They are self-regulating and allow water to just spill over the top as levels increase. Pasco Fire Department Dangers Strong current just beyond the downstream face of the dam Water flow is recirculating (which drops down sharply down the face of the dam, rises, then returns to the face of the dam as a backwash – and quickly drops down again. PFD’s will not provide sufficient flotation to prevent the user from being drawn under Water Rescue Awareness

Obstructions Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness An up stream V pattern flow usually indicates the presence of an obstruction or submerged hazard. Water Rescue Awareness

Undercuts Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Undercuts are usually found along steep or vertical banks. Current flows faster in undercuts. Water Rescue Awareness

Underwater Hazards Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Underwater hazards can range from natural (submerged trees, channel bed plants, etc.), to biological (fish, sea life) to man-made (see above). Many of the hazards could be classified as strainers (water will go through, but people will not). Entanglement or entrapment are common rescue problems with submerged hazards. Water Rescue Awareness

Contamination Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Water pollution and contamination is said to be the leading cause of illness world wide. In the United States, it has been reported that 45% of assessed stream miles, 47% of assessed lake acres, and 32% of assessed bay and estuarine square miles are classified as polluted. There are three categories of water pollution: Point source pollution – contaminants that enter a waterway through a discrete conveyance, such as a ditch or a pipe. Non-point source pollution – diffuse contamination that does not originate from a discrete source Groundwater pollution – a spill of contaminant on soil which may not create point or non-point source pollution, but may contaminate the aquifer below. Water Rescue Awareness

Turbidity Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Turbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. Pasco Fire Department Causes of Turbidity – Phytoplankton Sediments from soil or bank erosion Resuspended sediment from the bottom of the channel Waste discharge Algae growth Urban Runoff Turbid water indicates less visibility to dive team members and less ability to locate underwater hazards. It also indicates the need for decontamination. Water Rescue Awareness

Identify Last Seen Victim Location Pasco Fire Department If the victim cannot be seen on the surface of the water, we need to identify a Last Seen Point (LSP) to assist Dive Rescue Technicians. Water Rescue Awareness

Identify Last Seen Victim Location Pasco Fire Department Identify the number of witnesses and victims. Separate the witnesses and interview them from the spot that they last saw the victim. Attempt to “Triangulate” the location. This will be the initial search area. Water Rescue Awareness

Basic Rescue Techniques REACH Pasco Fire Department Outreached arm, leg or other tool Yell clear, simple instructions to the victim Ensure that you have firm footing Do not enter the water any deeper than knee-depth Remember that the victim is under duress and may pull the rescuer into the water Water Rescue Awareness

Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness THROW This type of rescue employs throw rope bags, life rings, and floats. This type of rescue is only effective if the subject is cooperative. Give clear and simple commands to the subject. Remember that the victim is under duress and may pull the rescuer into the water. Water Rescue Awareness

Rescue Communications Whistle Commands 1 Blast = Stop and Look at me 2 Blasts = Begin the action that we agreed upon or is indicated 3 Blasts = I need help Pasco Fire Department Arm Signals One arm raised = need help or pay attention One hand on top of head = I am OK Rope Signals 1 tug OK 2 tugs Advance 3 tugs Take up slack 4 tugs Help Water Rescue Awareness

Rescue vs. Recovery Factors to consider: Pasco Fire Department Time Submerged Age Physical Condition Known/Suspected Trauma Water Temperature Estimated Time for Rescue/Removal Water Rescue Awareness

Command and Control Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness Arrival, Size Up, and Initiate/Establish Command Recognize that this incident may extend beyond the initial operational period An IAP may need to be developed Determine Incident Complexity Operational – can the rescue be affected from the shore? If not you are in a technical rescue situation. Call for the resources. Technical – Prepare to support Dive Operations (Secure Boat Launch, Have EMS supplies readily available, prepare for decontamination) Identify and Secure General Hazards Electrical Utilities Gas, propane, fuel oil, other alternative energy sources Water Size Up (Temperature, hazards) Communications Identify and Secure Personal Hazards Trips, slips, falls, etc. PFD’s Identify Hazards that are Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health Swift water situations with currents exceeding those in which a person or watercraft can safely operate Secure the general area Controlling/limiting access to the area by unnecessary personnel Locate, Identify. Secure and Interview Witnesses Identify the LSP (Last Seen Point) Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

Uh Oh Pasco Fire Department Water Rescue Awareness

Pasco Fire Department