Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program

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NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION

• Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program

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Course Outline

• Introduction
• Ice Rescue Process
• Ice Formation
• Hypothermia
• Team Strategies Equipment
• Ice Rescue Equipment
• Underwater Recovery
• Self rescue
• One Rescue-Carabineer
• Rescue with rescue poles
• Exam

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Introduction

• There are over 6700 lakes and more than 8000
  kilometers of coastline in Nova Scotia as well as
  an abundance of ponds,rivers, and other
  waterways.
• The potential for individuals to come in contact
  with waters which become ice covered during the
  winter months is particularly high.

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1984 - 1995 Fatalities in Nova Scotia.Office of
the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner

• 12/84 F-6 First Lake Sackville
• 12/84 M-6 First Lake Sackville
• 12/84 M-12 Big Pond
• 02/86 M-67 Liverpool
• 12/86 M-38 Pugwash
• 12/88 M-51 Lunenburg Co.
• 01/90 M-30 Seal Cove
• 01/90 M-47 Seal Cove
• 03/91 M-22 Glace Bay

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1984 - 1995 Fatalities in Nova Scotia.Office of
the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner

• 12/91 M-10 Timberlea
• 01/93 M-15 Cole Harbor
• 05/93 M-04 Argyle Head
• 05/93 M-79 Ladle Lake
• 11/94 M-49 Lizard lake
• 01/95 M-32 Jim Horne Lake
• 02/95 M-22 West River
• 02/95 M-72 Lake Charlotte
• 01/97 M-46 Nine Mile River

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Introduction

• The knowledge and skills achieved through this
  ice rescue program require regular review and
  practice.
• It is strongly recommended to review and practice
  your skills before the start of the ice rescue
  season.

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Introduction (Contd )

• There are seven principles which must be well
  understood to ensure that rescue attempts do not
  spell
• FAILURE!!!!!

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Failure

• Failure to understand ice characteristics.

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Failure

• Additional medical considerations due to cold
  water.

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Failure

• Inadequate training in rescue techniques.

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Failure

• Lack of team work.

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Failure

• Underestimating the logistics involved.

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Failure

• Rescue and recovery approached without
  distinction.

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Failure

• Equipment not mastered.

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Basic Ice Rescue Training
Ice Rescue Process
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Ice Rescue Principles

• Emergency services who train their members can
  minimize the risk and create more positive
  benefits for their agency such as
• Increased safety for rescuers.
• Greater chance of successful rescue.
• Better public relations within their community.
• Decreased liability.

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Ice Rescue Principles

• A good knowledge and understanding of the
  conditions specific to ice rescue make the
  critical difference in a rescue attempt.
• Trained rescuers can save more victims in a
  manner that reduces the risk of them becoming a
  victim themselves.

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Ice Rescue Process

• Successful ice rescues are based on a recognized
  logical process inherent to any rescue operation.
  
• There are five basic steps.

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Ice Rescue Process Steps

1. Evaluate scene conditions.
2. Evaluate victims condition.
3. Assess personnel and equipment.
4. Develop an operational plan.
5. Continual evaluation of the rescue process.

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Evaluate Scene Conditions (Step 1)

• Proper scene evaluation is critical to any rescue
  operation.
• SIZE UP begins the moment you hear the crack or
  splash and a team member is in.

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Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsEnvironmental
Conditions

• Temperature, wind, rain and ice conditions can
  influence operational decisions during a rescue.
• Knowledge of ice conditions and strength can help
  the rescuers choose the safest plan for rescue.

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Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsLocation and
Condition of Victim

• The victims location is essential to accessing
  the victim as well as determining their
  condition.
• When a victim is within sight of shore the rescue
  team can determine, by observation, the stage of
  hypothermia.
• This can help you choose the appropriate
  equipment and resources to do the rescue.

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Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsLocation and
Condition of Victim

• A victim who has slipped beneath the ice or water
  creates a more difficult situation.
• The point on the ice or in the water where the
  victim was last seen (Last Seen Point) becomes
  crucial and must be preserved once it has been
  determined.
• This information is crucial for the R.C.M.P dive
  team, for them to deploy their team effectively.

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Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsContact With
Bystanders or Witnesses

• Ask the following questions
• How long victim has been in the water?
• What were the circumstances of the accident?
• What was the last seen point?

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Evaluation of Victims Condition(STEP 2)

• Many rescue techniques rely on the victims
  ability to grasp and hold onto an object with
  their hands.
• The rescuers ability to determine if the victim
  can aid in the rescue will help dictate which
  rescue technique will be used.

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Assess Personnel and Equipment (Step 3)

• A well trained team will be able to operate much
  more efficiently, using techniques that are the
  safest and most current for the rescue at hand.

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Assess Personnel and Equipment (Step 3)

• Equipment must be evaluated in terms of safety
  and availability.
• Never count on just one piece of equipment being
  the perfect tool.
• Try to ensure that there is an assortment of
  equipment at the scene.

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Operational Plan Development(Step 4)

• Rescuers must utilize the best techniques based
  on the situation at hand.
• To accomplish this they must have an operational
  plan.
• The best plans are simple and flexible. Always
  have plan B ready just in case the original
  plan does not accomplish the goal.

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Operational Plan Development(Step 4)

• While making the assessments which leads to an
  operational plan, the incident commander must
  conduct a risk/benefit analysis.
• This is a must do for every rescue operation.

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Never risk the life of a rescuer to try to save
that which cannot be saved!
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Continual Evaluation of the Rescue Process (Step
5)

• Conditions during a rescue never remain static.
  They can change at any moment.
• Constantly check whats happening against your
  goal.
• The incident commander and team members must be
  able to adapt to any changes that occur.

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REMEMBER!!!!

• Ultimately each rescuer is responsible for their
  own safety and have the right to say NO GO

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Basic Ice Rescue Training
Ice Formation
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Ice Formation

• Most people have little knowledge of ice
  formation.
• As a result, we may be called upon to perform an
  Ice Rescue.
• Ice formation information will help us to decide
  on safest techniques to use to conduct a safe and
  successful rescue.

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What happens as water temperature drops?

• Vertical circulation continues until water is
  isothermal at 4 degrees Celsius.
• As water drops below 4 degrees it loses density
  and remains at the surface.
• Ice expands 9 when freezing and becomes less
  dense than the water below it.
• As ice forms, a thermocline develops right below
  it (0 to 4 degrees).

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As Ice Forms...

• Depth of water and the weather conditions
  determine depth of thermocline.
• The water below the thermocline remains
  isothermal. (same temperature throughout)

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Vertical Circulation
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Thermocline
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Types of Ice

• Fresh water ice is all the same...isnt it?
• No, there are different types of ice formations.

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Frazil Ice

• Frazil Ice is the first ice formed. This looks
  like disk shaped ice crystals that form a thin
  film which floats on the surface of the water.
• When frazil ice forms in water with movement it
  clumps together forming pancake ice.

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Clear Lake Ice
Frazil Ice
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Frazil Slush

• Is ice which forms in water that has too fast a
  current to allow solid freezing.

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Pancake Ice

• Is circular free floating ice 30-300 centimeters
  in diameter. It is flat with raised edges due to
  pieces bumping together.

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Pancake Ice
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Clear Ice

• Is newly formed ice which is transparent.
• It is formed by long periods of below freezing
  temperatures.
• Its color is due to the color of water below
  reflecting through the ice.
• This is the strongest type of ice.

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Clear Lake Ice
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Snow Ice

• Is formed when water saturated snow freezes on an
  ice sheet.
• Appears opaque or milky, has a low density, is
  porous.
• Considered very weak ice.

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Candle Ice

• Is ice that is breaking down due to melting
  conditions.
• Has an appearance that resembles candles bundled
  together.
• Is most often found during late winter/early
  spring conditions.

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Anchor Ice

• Forms around submerged objects such as rocks,
  docks or shallow river bottoms.
• Can release as the object warms from the suns
  radiant heat.
• Can cause jams or navigational hazards.

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Floe Ice

• Is free floating ice chunks 3 feet or wider.

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Pack Ice

• Is formed by floe ice piling up and freezing
  together due to wind or current.
• Can have weak spots where the floes freeze
  together.

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Layered Ice

• Is formed by different types of ice and snow
  freezing and re-freezing.
• It has a layered or, striped appearance.

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Brackish Ice

• Is ice that forms in coastal rivers and estuaries
  that have a salt concentration between that of
  salt and fresh water.
• Brackish ice formation takes longer due to a
  lower freezing point of the salt water.
• Brackish ice is 50 weaker than clear lake ice.

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Ice Strength

• Ice strength cannot be determined by look.
• Make a quick evaluation of strength at the scene,
  but dont waste time studying the ice.
• Assume all ice at scene not safe.
• Understanding factors will allow rescuers to go
  safely.

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Contributing Factors for Ice Strength

• Ice thickness
• Do not base ice safety on ice thickness alone!
• Wind
• Water
• Snow
• Slush

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Contributing Factors for Ice Strength

• Air temperature
• Water Body Depth and Size
• Current
• River ice is approximately 15 weaker than lake
  ice!
• Chemistry
• Water Level

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Contributing Factors for Ice Strength

• Obstructions
• Inlets and Springs
• Wildlife

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Current can weaken ice.
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Ice thickness may be affected by water depth,
current or wind.
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Where is it safe??
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Where is it safe??
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Ice Safety
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Ice Safety

• The only absolute in ice safety is to stay off of
  the ice!

i.e. - The only absolute in woods safety is to
out of the woods.! never drive a car live in
bubble etc
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Relative Strength of Ice

• 
  
  
• P 50 T2
• P Safe load in pounds
• T Thickness of clear ice in inches.
• Note This guide line applies to clear solid lake
  ice with no other strength reducing factors and
  is used to calculate short term loads in motion.

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Formula Factors to Add

• For river or brackish ice double the required
  number of inches. River ice is only 85 as
  strong as lake ice salt water ice is only 50
  as strong.
• If water is trapped between layers of ice,
  calculate only the thickness of the top or outer
  layer to determine strength.

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Remember

• Ice requires constant cold temperatures to
  support its maximum load. Sudden rises in
  temperature will weaken ice.
• If the temperature falls suddenly to its original
  point the ice will re-freeze but not necessarily
  to its original strength.

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Maximum Load Table
Ice Thickness Maximum Load
2 inches (5cm) One person walking
4 inches (10cm) A group walking One person fishing
5 inches (12.7cm) A snowmobile
8 inches (20.3cm) A car
10-12 inches (25.5-30.5cm) A light truck
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Preventative Strategies

• Rescue teams should preplan potential hazard
  sites during open water season map all
  pertinent facts.
• Areas of importance include inlets, outlets,
  large obstructions, dams, intakes or outlets from
  industrial plants access points to the shore.
• Check with local conservation officials for any
  known problem areas.

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Basic Ice Rescue Training
Hypothermia
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Torso Reflex Cold Shock

• Torso Reflex, or inhalation response
  uncontrollable gasping is an automatic
  physiological reaction resulting from sudden
  immersion into cold water. It will occur within
  30 seconds and can be subsided within 3 minutes.

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Prevention of Torso Reflex

• To prevent torso reflex, the rescuer should
  ALWAYS cover their nose and mouth with their
  hands as they fall into cold water.
• The rescuer should also enter backwards if at all
  possible.

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Hypothermia

• Hypothermia is a condition which occurs when the
  temperature of the core of the body falls below
  35 degrees Celsius.

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Hypothermia

• During an ice rescue operation the rescuers must
  be capable of recognizing the signs of
  hypothermia in the victim and in other rescuers.
• Hypothermia will affect the victims ability to
  respond and/or assist with their own rescue.

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Stages of Hypothermia

• The body passes through distinct stages as
  hypothermia affects the body.
• The rescuer must be able to recognize these
  stages so that they can determine what the victim
  is cable of doing towards self rescue.
• A victim in moderate hypothermia would be unable
  to grasp and hold onto a rope that is thrown to
  them.

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Mild Hypothermia

• Body Core Temperature above 95F (35c).
• Symptoms conscious, alert, shivering vigorously
  breathing fast.
• Capacities of Victim frightened but coherent,
  able to understand instructions and able to reach
  for help and hold on.

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Moderate Hypothermia

• Body Core Temperature 90 to 95F (32 to 35c).
• Symptoms confusion, shivering and pupils
  beginning to dilate.
• Capacities of Victim confusion may see the need
  to reach for help but be unable to do so.

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Severe Hypothermia
Body Core Temperature 86 to 90F (30 to
32c). Symptoms no shivering, rigid muscles,
pupils dilated, appears drugged or
drunk. Capacities of Victim will not respond to
instructions, has no control of movements, barely
conscious or unconscious.
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Severe Hypothermia
When the core temperature falls below 86F
(30c), the victim may exhibit an unconscious
stare, greatly diminished breathing, be stiff all
over and resemble a dead person.
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Patient Considerations

• No matter which stage of hypothermia the victim
  is in, the key is to handle them as quickly and
  gently as possible.
• Do not waste time seconds count.
• Prevent the victim from expending any energy
  during the rescue and once on shore.
• The victim must conserve energy to prevent the
  hypothermia from worsening.

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Victim Care

• DO
• Handle the victim gently.
• Remove wet clothing.
• Dry the victim quickly.
• Wrap the victim in insulating materials such as
  blankets for protection from the elements.
• Keep equipment warm and dry.

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Victim Care

• DO NOT
• Rub or massage the extremities.
• Give alcohol or other stimulants.
• Apply external heat sources directly to the skin.
• Allow smoking.

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Victim Care

• Improper handling and treatment could result in a
  condition known as afterdrop.
• Afterdrop occurs when cold blood rushes from the
  extremities back to the victims heart, lungs and
  brain causing a secondary cooling of these organs.

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Cold Water Near Drowning

• Near Drowning is defined as survival, at least
  temporarily (24 hours), from near-suffocation due
  to submersion.
• Cold water is water that is less than 21c.

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Near Drowning

• These principles apply to any near drowning, not
  just those in cold water.
• The difference between warm and cold water is
  that in long submersions (greater then 6
  minutes), the chance for survival in warm water
  is much less than cold water.
• The colder the water, the better the chance for
  survival.

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Near Drowning Treatment

• Anyone submerged long enough to be unconscious
  and/or require CPR should be resuscitated.
• If you do not know how long the person has been
  under the water, attempt resuscitation.
• There is no difference between freshwater and
  salt water near drowning in regard to first
  responder care.

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Near Drowning Treatment

• CPR must be started immediately.
• Treat for Hypothermia.
• Assess carefully for associated injuries.

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Factors Affecting Survivability

• Victims Age
• Submersion time
• Water temperature
• Victims Struggle
• Injuries or Illness
• Quality of Basic Life Support
• Cleanliness of the Water

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Victims Age

• The younger the victim the greater the chance of
  survival.

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Submersion Time

• The shorter the time under the water the better
  the chances.
• Times of less then one hour (?) are considered
  more favorable.

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Water Temperature

• The colder the water the better.
• Any water less then 21c (70F) is considered
  cold water near drowning.

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Victims Struggle

• Victims who do not struggle as they drown burn
  up less oxygen energy reserves and are more
  likely to survive.

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Injuries Illness

• Any trauma will lower the survivability.

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Quality of Basic Life Support

• Improperly performed CPR decreases the chance of
  resuscitation.

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Cleanliness of the Water

• Sediment pollution in the water will result in
  complication to the lungs and decrease the
  likelihood of survival.

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Survival Time in 0c

• PFD 10 - 15 mins
• Mustang Suit 30 mins
• Wet Suit 60 mins
• Dry Suit Several Hours (depending on the amount
  of clothing worn underneath)
• Ice rescue Suit Several Hours

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Basic Ice Rescue Training
Team Strategies Equipment
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Response Plan Review

• Every SAR team should have a response plan that
  includes procedures for calling in other
  resources such as a dive team. (recovery)
• A safety session should be conducted annually
  during the ice rescue season.
• The review should look at the teams level of
  preparedness and cover the following key points.

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Personnel

• The majority of rescues can be accomplished with
  a few well trained, properly equipped rescuers.
• Personnel who lack proper or up to date training
  will limit the ability of the team to conduct
  efficient, successful rescues.

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Additional Resources

• These may include
• Dive rescue team
• ALS medical team
• Fire Service
• Law Enforcement
• Coast Guard
• Military

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Equipment

• Equipment should be evaluated by the following
  criteria
• Safety
• Effectiveness
• Ease of use
• Durability
• Availablility

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Ropes

• Water rescue ropes of at least 3/8 inch 2000
  lbs or greater tensile strength.
• Bright visible color.
• Floating.
• The rope that we use is 3/8 spectra rescue line,
  16.9 feet per pound, 4400lbs breaking strength.

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Carabiners

• Assorted aluminum locking and non- locking.
• Ice Rescue carabiners.

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Personal Equipment

• Ice Picks , Crampons, Knives etc..

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Throw Devices

• Water rescue throw bags
• Line throwing guns
• Flotation buoys

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Operational Considerationsfor Ice Rescue

• Always Use the S.A.N.E. approach
• S simple, step by step
• A always have adequate backup
• N never take chances
• E eliminate the beat the ice attitude

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While on a search..

• Your fellow searcher goes through the ice into
  the water.
• Upon arrival you must immediately re-evaluate
  conditions and decide on a rescue technique
• 1. Self-Rescue 2. Reach
• 3. Throw 4. Go

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The following action must be taken!

• Establish a victim contact.
• Appoint one person to keep in constant
  communication with the victim.
• Try to talk the victim out of the water
  (Self-Rescue).
• Call for additional resources.
• If the situation allows it, the incident
  commander should summon any agencies or special
  teams needed.

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Remember!

• The rescuers chosen to go out on the ice should
  always have the final decision as to whether they
  go or not!

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Never force a rescuer into a situation that they
are uncomfortable with!
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Ice Rescue Hand Signals

• Tapping your head means GO
• Arm Straight in the air STOP

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Never tether the rescuer to their back.
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Self Rescue

• All rescuers must be skilled at saving themselves
  before attempting a rescue.
• Victims may be talked through a self rescue.
• Ice awls and proper technique essential.

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Self Rescue Technique

• Swim to the edge of good ice.
• Put your forearms on the ice.
• Get your body horizontal.
• Use frog like kicks to push yourself out.

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Self Rescue Technique

• You should lift with your arms but only straight
  up, this will help you get over the edge as you
  kick.
• Dont try to pull your self out with your arms
  they will only slip off.
• The idea is to keep yourself low and use the frog
  kick to push yourself onto the ice.

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(No Transcript)
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Reach

• This simple technique is used when the victim is
  close to shore.
• Devices available include
• Pike poles.
• Ladders.
• Tree Limbs.
• Clothing.

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Throw

• Commonly used equipment includes
• Water rescue throw bags
• Line guns
• Flotation buoys
• Life rings

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Go

• Extreme caution must be exercised as this plan
  places the rescuer at the greatest personal risk.
• With this type of rescue the rescuer must direct
  physical contact with the victim.

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Go

• For maximum safety the rescuer requires the
  following equipment.
• Proper thermal protection.
• Flotation.
• Safety line.

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One Rescuer- Carabiner

• Dress in layers with safety line.
• When moving across ice keep low.
• When approaching victim use a roll technique and
  hold the tethered line above head to avoid
  entanglement.

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One Rescuer- Carabiner

• Attach line to victim by using carabineer and
  loop in line.
• Once hook up is complete the rescuer gives the
  O.K. signal by placing hand on head.
• Rescuer and victim are pulled back to shore.

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Underwater Recovery

• When people slip under the ice it makes it very
  difficult to retrieve them. The following points
  must be followed to make the job a little easier
• All personnel in the boat must wear P.F.Ds.
• Make sure that the last seen point is marked.
• Watch any current tend to work down current.

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Underwater Recovery

• Move boat in in a grid pattern so that under the
  boat the bottom is searched.
• Make sure that the RCMP or an ice dive team is
  responding to the scene.

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Underwater Recovery

• A sunken human body usually will be within a
  distance not more than 1 1/2 times the depth of
  the water.
• Example If the water is 20 (6m) deep, a body
  should be no more than about 30 (9m) from the
  last seen point.

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Summary

• Keep the rescue as simple as possible.
• Dont give up if they slip below the ice,
  remember people have lasted for extended times
  frames under cold water.
• Remember your safety.
• Treat the victim as quickly and gently as
  possible.
• And remember dont spell FAILURE.