Ice Rescue

Tragedy On The Ice...

Benefits of Ice Rescue Training Increased safety Increased safety Increased potential of successful rescue Increased potential of successful rescue Positive public image Positive public image Decreased liability exposure Decreased liability exposure

Ice Rescue Process Evaluate scene conditions Evaluate scene conditions Evaluate victim’s condition Evaluate victim’s condition Access manpower and equipment Access manpower and equipment Develop operational plan Develop operational plan Ongoing evaluation of rescue process Ongoing evaluation of rescue process

Evaluate Scene Conditions Environmental conditions Environmental conditions Location and condition of victim Location and condition of victim Contact with bystanders and witnesses Contact with bystanders and witnesses Time of incident Time of incident

Evaluating Victim’s Condition Victim’s ability to respond Victim’s ability to respond Other possible injuries Other possible injuries Prevention of further injury Prevention of further injury

Manpower and Equipment Number of rescuers Number of rescuers Skill and training level of rescuers Skill and training level of rescuers Equipment availability Equipment availability

Developing an Operational Plan Keep it safe and simple (KISS) Keep it safe and simple (KISS) Have a back-up plan in place Have a back-up plan in place

Ongoing Evaluation of Rescue Process Rescuer safety is the primary concern Rescuer safety is the primary concern Risk/benefit analysis Risk/benefit analysis

The ongoing evaluation of a rescue is not static. It is a dynamic process. Ongoing Evaluation of Rescue Process

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Ice

Vertical Circulation Water column becomes isothermal at F (4 0 C) Water column becomes isothermal at F (4 0 C) Vertical circulation occurs at different times within the same body of water Vertical circulation occurs at different times within the same body of water Cold Water Warm Water

Ice Formation Ice forms from below Ice forms from below Thermocline temperature 32 0 F (0 0 C) Thermocline temperature 32 0 F (0 0 C) Ice is 9% less dense than water at 32 0 F (0 0 C) Ice is 9% less dense than water at 32 0 F (0 0 C) ICE THERMOCLINE

Frazil Ice

Clear Ice

Snow Ice Layered Ice

Polarized Cross Section Snow Ice/Clear Ice

Candled Ice

Polarized Cross Section CandledIce

Pack Ice

Crack Ice

Pressure Ridge

Ice strength Never judge ice strength by appearance alone!

Open-Water

Shore Melt

River Ice

Obstructions

Ice Strength Guidelines Thin IceMaximum Load 2 inchesOne Person Walking 4 inchesOne Person Fishing/ Group Walking 5 inchesSnowmobile 8 inchesCar 12 inchesLight truck P = 50 T 2 P = load bearing capacity T = Ice thickness

Victim’s Condition

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Evaluating Victim’s Condition Victim’s ability to respond Victim’s ability to respond Other possible injuries Other possible injuries Prevention of further injury Prevention of further injury

Causes of Hypothermia Decreased heat production Decreased heat production Increased heat loss Increased heat loss A combination of both A combination of both

Types of Hypothermia Acute (sudden onset) Acute (sudden onset) Sub-acute (slow onset) Sub-acute (slow onset)

Stages of Hypothermia MildModerateSevere Conscious & oriented Conscious but disoriented Unconscious ShiveringShivering stops Muscle rigidity Victim able to assist Victim may not be able to assist Victim unable to assist

Patient Care Control ABC’s Control ABC’s Gentle handling Gentle handling Prevent further heat loss Prevent further heat loss

Drowning and the “Golden Hour” Cold Water Near Drowning Cold Water Near Drowning Hypothermia Hypothermia Mammalian Dive Reflex Mammalian Dive Reflex

Factors Affecting Survivability Age Age Submersion Time Submersion Time Water Temperature Water Temperature Water Quality Water Quality Victim Struggle Victim Struggle Injuries Injuries Available BLS Available BLS

Manpower & Equipment

Response plan Determined a response plan prior to an ice rescue emergency Determined a response plan prior to an ice rescue emergency Response plans prepare the team for the winter season Response plans prepare the team for the winter season

Preparing Your Team Training Training Equipment Equipment Response Response

Coordinate Pre-planning With These Agencies Dive Rescue Team Dive Rescue Team Medical Control Medical Control Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services Fire Service Fire Service Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Other agencies Other agencies –(Water Control, Rope Rescue Teams, Helicopters, etc.)

Ice Rescue Equipment Should Be: Pre-planned Pre-planned Pre-rigged Pre-rigged Accessible Accessible

Ice Rescue Equipment Selection Safe and effective Safe and effective Easy to use Easy to use Durable Durable

Ice Rescue Suits Offer Thermal protection Thermal protection Buoyancy Buoyancy

Team equipment

Developing An Operational Plan

Use the SANE approach S - Simple, step-by-step approach A - Always have adequate back-up N - Never take chances E - Eliminate the “Beat the ice” attitude

Communication! Establish Victim Contact Immediately!

Safety You are there because the ice is unsafe… Don’t become another victim!

The safest rescue is the one where everyone stays warm and dry.

Operational Plans Self-rescue Self-rescue Reach Reach Throw Throw Go Go

Reach Method

Throw Method

Go Method

Rigging with an Ice Rescue Sling

Modified “Reach”

“Go” using an ice rescue board

“OK”

Floating litter

Always have a back- up rescuer dressed and ready to assist the primary rescuer.

Row Method

Tools

Ongoing Evaluation of Rescue Process RISK BENEFIT

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? Questions