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SWIFTWATER RESCUE
Swift Water Rescue (also called "whitewater rescue") is a subset of
technical rescue
that involves the use of specially trained personnel,
ropes
and
mechanical advantage
systems often much more robust than those used in
rope rescue
because of the added pressure of moving water. The main goal is to
use or deflect the water’s power to assist in the rescue of the
endangered person(s), as in most situations there is no easy way to
overcome the power of the water.
RESCUE OPERATIONS
As a Swift Water Rescue Scene evolves, the Incident Command System (ICS)
will emerge. ICS is a national
protocol
used for managing emergencies. Initially created for use by the
United States Forest Service
and
United States Bureau of Land Management
to manage
wild fires,
ICS has become the benchmark by which all disasters are managed in
the United States. "ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response
organization providing a common framework within which people can
work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple
agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to
give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the
problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents."[1]
All rescue operations demand vigilance with regards to safety. ICS
provides that a Safety Officer be present to monitor and address all
safety issues. One of these issues pertains to the incident scene.
ZONES OF OPERATION
The immediate area of operations at the incident is divided into
three zones of operation, "Cold", "Warm", and "Hot". Certain
requirements regarding training and Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) exist for personnel operating within these three zones. The
Cold Zone is considered to be anything greater than 10 feet from the
water's edge. Awareness Level personnel shall approach no closer
than this zone. The Warm Zone begins 10 feet from the water's edge,
and ends at the water's edge. Personnel operating in the Warm Zone
shall be trained to the Operations Level, and must wear a properly
fitted and secured Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
The Hot Zone refers to any and all activities taking place in the
water. These activities shall be performed by personnel trained to
the Technician Level, provided they are wearing a properly fitted
and secured PFD.
RISK ALGORITHM
In order to provide for the safety of both the rescuer and victim, a
low to high risk
algorithm
has evolved for the implementation of various rescue methods in
Swift Water Rescue. Under times of stress, the implementation of
this algorithm helps to prevent a rescuer from endangering himself
and the victim, thus providing a sound, step by step approach when
effecting a rescue. As the algorithm progresses, the danger and
threat to rescuer and victim increases. The algorithm is, "Talk",
"Reach", "Throw", "Row", "Go and Tow", and "Helo". While it is
safest to talk a victim into performing a self-rescue, there exists
a substantial increase in danger once a rescuer enters the water.
"Talk" refers to the dialogue that takes place between the rescuer
and victim, and includes the rescuer directing the victim in methods
of self-rescue, such as swimming to shore. If unsuccessful, the
rescuer will attempt to "Reach" with an object, such as a tree
branch, paddle, or pole, to the victim, so that the victim can be
pulled to safety.
LAMINAR FLOW
Since the
laminar flow
of a moving body of water carves the path of movement, it
experiences friction caused by resistance along the shallows and
outer or higher banks, and travels at a slower speed at the edges
than the center. Therefore, a rescuer often has the opportunity to
wade along the banks of a moving body of water to more easily "talk"
to, or "reach" the victim. 80% of moving water rescues are effected
using
throw bags
and other throw devices.
A rescuer can "throw" a throw bag or other throw device from a boat,
stable platform, or dry land, or may elect to wade into the shallows
and then initiate a throw. "Row" includes, but is not limited to,
all forms of boat-based operations. This includes a boat on a
highline tyrolian with a midpoint drop and two and four point boat
on tether systems.
LIVE BAIT RESCUE
In certain situations, such as an unconscious patient, one might "Go
and tow" the victim back to shore. Unlike all previous methods of
rescue, the rescuer now enters the water in a swimming capacity.
This method of rescue is also referred to as a "live bait rescue",
where the rescuer swims to the aid of the victim while tethered to a
team member at an anchor point, very much like bait on a hook at the
end of a fishing pole. For example, a parent with children trapped
in a vehicle in flowing water that needs to extricate and control
scared or injured children on to the roof of the vehicle (there is a
greater than 50% chance of dying in a vehicle that is flooded). If
that platform (car, rock, bridge, roof etc.) becomes unstable or
begins to succumb to rising water, that rescuer may need to tow a
victim to the shore, eddy or pre-planned egress point. Towing
rescues are extremely difficult and require training with a
practiced rescuer as a victim. Actual tows with scared, hypothermic,
exhausted, injured or panicked victims are extremely difficult and
dangerous for both parties and should be left to rescuers well
versed in proper rescuer/victim communication, holds and swimming
techniques. When a victim is not accessible from any of the previous
rescue methods, resources permitting, a helicopter rescue may be
attempted. A helicopter, or "helo", is a stable rescue platform from
which a variety of rescue methods can be initiated. While the
helicopter must be equipped for rescue work, the crew must be
equipped, trained and well practiced in the art of swift water
rescue
