1. Clark County Training Division Technical Rescue Training
Developed by VFD
Adapted by CCTD

2. Clark County Training Division Water Rescue Awareness.
T.R.T.

3. Water Rescue Awareness Objectives
At the completion of this course the student should be able to:
Identify the role of awareness level personnel.
Identify the primary priorities of technical rescue training instructors.
Identify skills and techniques used in water rescue from low to high risk options.
Identify the five components of size-up.

4. Water Rescue Awareness Objectives Continued...
Perform a risk/benefit analysis.
Perform a hazard assessment.
Identify the need for additional resources based on the scene size-up.
Implement a scene management system.
Identify surface water search techniques.
Identify swiftwater hydrology and dynamics.
Determine whether a scene requires a rescue or a recovery.

5. Water Rescue Awareness Objectives Continued...
Identify department equipment used in water and rope rescue

6. Role of Awareness Level Personnel
As of November 1998 the National Fire protection Association (NFPA) has adopted a rescue standard that addresses water rescue as one of its components
It is referred to as:
NFPA 1670 Standard for Technical Rescue

7. Role of Awareness Level Personnel Continued… NFPA 1670 Overview
The NFPA 1670 Standard should encompass nearly all of a department or agencies rescue capabilities. The intent of this standard is to establish general guidelines for the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in assessing hazards, identifying levels of operational capabilities, and establishing training documentation and response guidelines. The rescue disciplines are:
Water rescue
Rope rescue
Confined space rescue
Trench rescue
Building collapse rescue
Wilderness search and rescue
Vehicles and Machinery Rescue
Other rescue operations requiring specialized training

8. Role of Awareness Level Personnel Continued… NFPA 1670 Overview
Role Of Functional Capability
NFPA 1670 identifies three levels of functional capability for technical rescue. The three levels are:
AWARENESS - At the Awareness level the responder has the necessary knowledge to recognize and identify a problem and understand the hazards associated with a technical rescue situation. The responder will make an assessment of the situation, attempt to isolate the problem, and know how to summon assistance. Actions taken by responders at the awareness level are defensive in nature and generally should pose low or no risk to the responder. Responders at this level are generally not considered rescuers.

9. Role of Awareness Level Personnel Continued… NFPA 1670 Overview
Role Of Functional Capability
OPERATIONS - At the Operations level a responder has the skills, abilities, and knowledge of the Awareness level, and the added capacity to take limited action utilizing basic, common skills, and tools. The responder at the Operations level can make a higher level of risk assessment than at the Awareness level and take actions to stabilize the technical rescue situation and to assist technician level responders prepare for and complete rescue tasks. Actions taken at the Operations level are generally of a limited offensive nature and generally at low to moderate risk to the responder.

10. Role of Awareness Level Personnel Continued… NFPA 1670 Overview
Role Of Functional Capability
TECHNICIAN - At the Technician level a responder has the skills, abilities, and knowledge of the Awareness and Operations level, and the added capacity to take positive action with specialized tools, skills, and knowledge. Responders at the Technician level can make a higher level of risk assessment than at the Operations level. Actions taken at the Technician level are generally offensive in nature and may pose a greater risk to the responder.

11. Role of Awareness Level Personnel
The Awareness level instruction contains minimal skill components. Students will perform in a minimal capacity as rescuers. The course is designed to develop “knowledge” competencies within the areas of:
Rescue philosophy
River/flood dynamics and hydrology
Hazard recognition and mitigation procedures
Safety: self rescue - positioning - survival - panic
Scene assessment and incident size-up
Activation procedures for water rescue response
Equipment
Low risk rescue operations
Site control and scene management

12. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training Instructors
The old training axiom: “those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach” must be buried.
Rescue instructors should always be teaching state-of -the-art techniques
Instructors must continually research and develop improved material form all resources
Active involvement is the first key to being a competent instructor
Instructors shall ensure technical rescue services and training are provided in a safe, effective and efficient manner... That is our goal!

13. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training and Response
Successful rescues are a mixture of four things:
Training
Practice
Experience
Judgment
TRT

14. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training and Response Continued...
All rescues should be performed within the following rescue priorities:
SELF - Your first priority is to your own safety. Your ability to stay out of trouble and to self rescue if necessary

15. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training and Response Continued...
TEAM - Your second priority is to your team. The safety of the team should be assured before proceeding with any operation.

16. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training and Response Continued...
VICTIM - Third priority, only after ensuring the safety of yourself and the team, should you attempt to rescue the victim. self-sacrifice in rescue services is traditional and commendable… and a useless waste. Rescue instructors would rather appear as expert witnesses to testify why nothing was done, than as to why a rescuer was injured or died.

17. Primary Priorities of Technical Rescue Training and Response Continued...
FINALY - utilize the lowest risk rescue methods first, while setting up higher risk rescue methods as next alternatives

18. The Rescue Triangle
Training Equipment
Capabilities

19. Order of The Four Main Priorities That Must Be Met To Successfully Perform A Rescue
L-A-S-T
L = Locate The Victim
A = Access The Victim
S = Stabilize The Victim
T = Transport The Victim

20. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
TALK
REACH
THROW
ROW
GO and TOW
OTHER OPTIONS

21. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
TALK
Awareness/Operation Level Skill
It is often possible to talk a victim through a self rescue. This is especially true if the victim has some form of flotation

22. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
REACH
Awareness/Operation Level Skill
A rescuer can reach a victim with a flotation device, pike pole or anything you have on hand. If a victim is capable of grabbing something it is better to use an object so the victim can’t grab you directly.

23. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
THROW
Awareness/Operation Level Skill
Usually refers to a throw bag or flotation device, This skill requires practice. If your victim is in moving water you may only get one shot at a moving target

24. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
ROW
Technician Level Skill
Refers to a boat rescue. The risk involved in a boat rescue depends on the conditions present, the boat available, and the skills of the boat operator

25. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
Go & Tow
Slack Water = Operations/Technician Skill
Swift Water = Technician Level Skill
Refers to in the water contact rescues. This is relatively high risk. About 30% of all drownings each year are attempted rescues.
TRT
VFD

26. Low to High Risk Rescue Options
Other Options
Technician Level Skill
Can include technical rescue systems, shallow water crossings, and even helicopter operations.

27. The Five Components of Size-Up
Should be used in
developing your
Think - Plan - Act
Model
Facts
Probabilities
Own Situation
Decisions
Plan of Operation

28. The Five Components of Size-Up Continued...
FACTS
WHAT IS HAPPENING ?
Time of Day
Day of Week
Number of Victims
The Victims Situation,Access, Egress
Past Site History
Water Flow
And Other Known Facts
Knowing the facts will help the rescuer identify the next component

29. The Five Components of Size-Up Continued...
PROBABILITIES
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF NOTHING IS DONE ?
Determining the probable course of events allows the rescuer to make decisions about safety, resource needs and rescue methods

30. The Five Components of Size-Up Continued...
OWN SITUATION
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WITH EXISTING RESOURCES ?
Should not be confused with the FACTS component. Your own situation may be adequate for a simple victim assisted rescue but overwhelmed with multiple victims. When determining your own situation, consider:
Resources on hand
Your physical safety
What other resources are available and how timely
What training level do on site personnel posses

31. The Five Components of Size-Up Continued...
DECISIONS
CHOSE AN OPTION ?
Controllable with on-site resources
Request additional resources
Situation is a recovery - slow down the operation
Remember that initial decisions and subsequent decisions will directly relate to the outcome of the overall incident success.
ALSO
Remember that size-up is on-going for the duration of the incident and this information will mold the decision making process.

32. The Five Components of Size-Up Continued...
Plan of Operation
HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THE OPTION ?
Decisions can only be made by identifying the overall incident problems - THINK
Valid plans can only be executed using sound decisions - PLAN
Decisions determine actions - ACT
New information regarding the facts, probabilities, your own situation, results of previous decisions or the failure of your initial plan may necessitate application of “PLAN B”, be prepared!
“Plan for the worst, hope for the best.”

33. Risk/Benefit Analysis
A MEASURE OF THE PROS VERSUS THE CONS
Is the risk to the rescuers worth the likelihood of a successful rescue.
Is the anticipated rescue within the scope of the on scene personnel.
Requires an honest look at on-scene personnel and equipment.
Many rescuer fatalities are directly caused by a failure of the IC to realize that on-scene personnel were in “over their heads”.
Performing a live rescue should never overshadow the basic goal of having all rescuers go home well and healthy.

34. ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE ALL HAZARDS THAT MAY EFFECT THE INCIDENT
Hazard Assessment
ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE ALL HAZARDS THAT MAY EFFECT THE INCIDENT
As an awareness level responder your job is to recognize the hazards, to avoid them, and to obtain the resources necessary to deal with them.

35. Hazard Assessment In The Water Rescue Environment
UTILITIES
Electrical Power
Portable Generators
Natural Gas
LPG
Hydrocarbon Fuels/Oils

36. Hazard Assessment In The Water Rescue Environment
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Too many to mention - But remember, as with any emergency incident, the site or area can provide many clues to the potential of Hazardous Materials.
Look For:
Placards and labels
Container Shapes and design
Known Sites
Quantity and physical characteristics of material

37. Hazard Assessment In The Water Rescue Environment
CONFINED SPACE
By definition many flood related water rescues can be evaluated as confined spaces because of the engulfment hazards of the associated water.
Many rescuers drowned after the Mexico City Earthquake due to broken sewer and water pipes filling the basements with water and debris.

38. Hazard Assessment In The Water Rescue Environment
ENVIRONMENTAL
Are obvious but may be more difficult to avoid than any other hazards
Rain
Snow
Flood Water
Heat
Cold
Working and moving about the scene may become more hazardous as slips and falls become more frequent and equipment is much more difficult to handle.
Care must be taken to provide adequate shelter, food and rest to the rescuers.

39. Hazard Assessment In The Water Rescue Environment
FLOWING WATER
Water flowing down a gradient is deceptively powerful. Only rescuers with a thorough understanding of moving water can appreciate the hazard involved.
When encountered it is usually best to take no action and call in resources with the expertise to mitigate the situation.
Numerous would-be rescuers drown every year because they fail to assess the hazards involved with moving water.

40. Rescue vs. Recovery
If the victim is visible are they in a stable situation, will they remain so? If submerged, for how long? It is usually better to give the victim a benefit of of the doubt in a submerging.
Do the on-scene resources have the training and equipment necessary? If not, as difficult as it may be, the rescue professional MUST wait for rescuers with appropriate level of training and equipment.
Can a reasonably safe rescue attempt be performed?
Is our response being driven by physical and emotional feelings and not education? There is a direct correlation between heightened emotions and rescuer fatalities.
These guidelines are given for your consideration but there is no substitute for solid judgment on the part of the responder.

41. Water Rescue Site Management
RIVER ORIENTATION
RIVER LEFT -The left side of the river looking down stream.
RIVER RIGHT - The right side of the river looking down stream.
River Left
RIVER
FLOW
River Right

42. Water Rescue Site Management
ZONES
For the safety of all personnel working in or around the rescue incident the following ZONES shall be used to control entry
COLD ZONE – Outside Hot and Warm Zones – Safe Area
WARM ZONE – Within 10 feet of water or inside a rescue craft
RIVER
HOT ZONE
In the water

43. Hydrology and River Dynamics
AWARENESS LEVEL DEFINITIONS
Eddy - Horizontal reversal of water flow where the pressure of current along an obstacle (such as a rock) causes the water behind the obstacle to reverse flow up stream.
Point Last Seen (PLS) -The point where the victim fell in the water or where they floated from site. The actual location where the victim was last seen. The PLS determines the point at which there will be no searching upstream.
Probability Of Detection (POD) - A location where locating the victim is highly likely due to natural or man-made choke points in the current, such as strainers or large eddys.

44. Hydrology and River Dynamics
AWARENESS LEVEL DEFINITIONS
River Right - The right side of the river looking down stream
River Left - The left side of the river looking down stream
Strainer - Buildup of debris such as rocks and logs which restrict downstream flow. Dangerous due to underwater currents/undertows which may cause entrapment and drowning.

45. HYDROLOGY and RIVER DYNAMICS
Deep (fast) B A
FLOW
Shallow (slow) D F
HYDROLOGY and RIVER DYNAMICS
A….. Downstream “V”
B….. Constriction
C….. Rock Fence
D….. Feeder Stream
E….. Eddy
F….. Confluence
….. Eddy

46. Map Showing HIGH PROBABILITY OF DETECTION LOCATIONS
FLOW
HIGH
POD
Map Showing
HIGH PROBABILITY OF
DETECTION LOCATIONS

47. Self-Rescue and Personal Safety
SWIMMING POSITIONS
Although moving water entry by Awareness level personnel is to be avoided, Awareness level personnel should have an understanding of what to do in the event they are suddenly thrown into the current. They must understand the swimming positions and under what conditions each should be used.
They Are:
Basic or Defensive Swimming
Offensive or Aggressive Swimming

48. Self-Rescue and Personal Safety
SWIMMING POSITIONS continued…
Basic or Defensive Swimming Position
Once in the current:
Swimmer should roll onto the back.
Both feet pointing down stream.
Heals should be kept slightly lower than the buttocks. As they contact rocks, swimmers can flatten out to slide over shallow rocks or use feet to fend themselves off.
Use hands to control direction.

49. Self-Rescue and Personal Safety
SWIMMING POSITIONS continued…
Offensive or Aggressive Swimming Position
Once in the current the defensive swimming position may not be adequate to propel a swimmer to a safe area, then an offensive stance must be undertaken.
Swimmer rolls onto belly.
Swims hard, using free style or crawl stroke while kicking hard with feet.

50. Self-Rescue and Personal Safety
Foot Entrapments
In floods and swiftwater, victims and rescuers can become entrapped or vertically pinned.
The possibility exists in any stream, river or channel.
The victim or rescuer puts their feet down and the force of the water pushes their feet or bodies into rocks or debris piles.
The force of the water pushes the victim over downstream.
Only the most fortunate are capable of holding their heads up until help arrives.

51. Self-Rescue and Personal Safety
FOOT ENTRAPMENTS continued...
FLOW
Not until you are safely in an eddy should your feet be put down from the defensive swimming position

52. Throw Bag Rescue
Take position on shore in full site of person to be rescued, with rescue bag in throwing hand and the line held in opposite hand.
Aim the line to land the bag directly across the swimmer’s chest. Throw underhand with a smooth, steady action.
Brace yourself! Swing the swimmer to shore avoid passing the rope behind your back or being on a downstream bite of the line.
Position rescuers downstream to either retrieve the swimmer or repeat a rescue throw.
Maintain visual and voice contact with swimmer.

53. Moving Water Throw Bag Rescue
Take position on shore in full site of person to be rescued, with rescue bag in throwing hand and the line held in opposite hand.
Aim the line to land the bag directly across the swimmer’s chest. Throw underhand with a smooth, steady action.
Move ahead of the victim; pull the victim to shore.
Pull victim towards shore, steadily, with light pressure, as rescuer tries to stay ahead of victim moving with current.
Maintain visual and voice contact with swimmer.

54. Awareness level equipment used in the water environment
Personal Flotation Device
Throw Bag

55. Awareness level equipment used in the water environment Continued...
If the rescue is beyond Awareness Level personnel skills, the most valuable piece of equipment is...
the “RADIO”, used to call for necessary help and resources.

56. Technician level equipment used in the water environment
Dry Suit
Helmet
Whistle
PFD
Gloves
Throw Bag
Booties
Fins

57. The 15 Absolute Rules of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue
1. Always wear a personal flotation device within 10 feet of waters edge.
2. On rivers always deploy upstream spotters above the location of the rescue operations, both sides if possible.
3. Scene priorities are always self-rescue first, the rescue and security of fellow teammates second, and the victim last.
4. Never put all your eggs in one basket; always have a backup plan.

58. The 15 Absolute Rules of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue
5. On rivers, always have multiple downstream backups.
6. Always keep it simple.
7. Always use the right equipment.
8. Never put your feet down if swept away and swimming.
9. Never count on the victim to help in his own rescue.
10. Never tie a rope around a rescuer.
11. When tensioning a line across the river to be used for in-water safety or walking stream crossings, never tension the line at a right angle to the current.

59. The 15 Absolute Rules of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue
12. While tensioning a line across the river, never stand inside the bight, and always stand on the upstream side of the rope.
13. Once the victim is contacted, never lose him.
14. Given the choice between a fire helmet and no helmet in the warm and hot zone, always go with no helmet.
15. Always be proactive.