1. Safe Working Near Water

2. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Aims & objectives
Identify risks
Identify features in and around water
PPE
Throwbags
Scene management
Post incident
TB/SWNW

3. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Identifying risks
Slips, trips, falls
Drowning
Entrapment
Impact injury
Hypothermia (x26 faster than air)
Waterborne infection
Most slips, trips & falls start at waters edge and end up in water
Entrapment limb or whole body i.e. strainer
TB/SWNW

4. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Features sea
Shoreline features
Depth
Submerged objects
Waves / currents / tides
Floating debris
Water temperature, contamination, clarity
Water users
TB/SWNW

5. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Rip current
TB/SWNW

6. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Features rivers
Stoppers
Strainers
Weirs
Submerged objects
Floating debris
Eddies / eddy fence
Bank / channel
Flow rate / volume
Depth
Water temperature, contamination, clarity
This list is not exhaustive
TB/SWNW

7. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Weir / Stopper / Water Clarity
TB/SWNW

8. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Strainer / Water Clarity / Debris
TB/SWNW

9. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Strainer / Water Clarity / Debris
TB/SWNW

10. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Eddy
TB/SWNW

11. Safe Working Near Water
PPE helmets
Outer shell resists impact & abrasion
Impact absorbing liner
Light weight
Chin strap
Snug fit to cover forehead & temples
NO Ambulance helmets?

12. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
PPE clothing
Protection & warmth (ambulance uniform?)
High visibility, water / wind proof
Wetsuits / drysuits
Foot wear – protection & warmth & grip
Keeping WARM & DRY
TB/SWNW

13. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Throwbags
Nylon & cordura shell with polythene flotation
8mm floating polypropylene rope
Various lengths
High visibility
Free line principle (Knots=snag hazard)
TB/SWNW

14. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
Scene management
PPE – ambulance helmet unstrapped
Contact relevant agencies ASAP - fire CG
3 metre rule – cordon area
Priorities - self, colleagues, casualty
Make contact with casualty ASAP & never rely on casualty to help
TB/SWNW

15. Safe Working Near Water
Scene management
Do not enter water & be aware of being pulled in
Keep it simple
Contingency plans
Upstream spotters & downstream support
Never tie a rope around a rescuer

16. Safe Working Near Water
4/25/2017
Safe Working Near Water
The rescuer
Don’t enter the water
Talk contact, assess, encourage & direct
Reach branch, knees bent, feet apart, low
Throw throwbag
Next stages - row, go & tow, helo
(other services required for these stages)
TB/SWNW

17. Safe Working Near Water
Throwbag deployment
Stable position & in view of casualty
Bag in throwing hand, free line in other hand
Shout - rope / line
Aim bag at swimmer & throw
Underarm, overarm or side throw
Brace yourself & pull swimmer to bank

18. Safe Working Near Water
The swimmer
Don’t panic! Shout for help
Lie on back, feet downstream, bend knees, bottom above heels, look ahead – never put feet down (defensive swimming)
Look for eddy / slack water
Avoid strainers
Catch throwline, hold line against chest & over shoulder & remain on back

19. Safe Working Near Water
Post incident
Self & colleagues?
Equipment? inspect throwbag, wash & dry (not in direct sun / heat) visually inspect monthly
Document
Review & debrief

20. Safe Working Near Water?