Working in partnership to make Dorset safer

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Technical Rescue Water Rescue Operator Course
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Working in partnership to make Dorset safer
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AIM
To train personnel in water rescue techniques to
operator level as approved by our training
provider.
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OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course the student will be
able to-

• Demonstrate the aspects necessary for scene
  safety.
• Identify features and hazards associated with
  moving water.
• Perform all types of rescue using the Rescue
  formula.
• Demonstrate techniques for using a boat.
• Demonstrate techniques for mud rescue.
• Operate safely in water of varying levels and
  speed of flow.

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PPE
Each member of the Technical Rescue team that may
be required to enter the risk zone will wear

• Woolly Bear undersuit
• Drysuit
• Canyoneer or Animal Rescue boots
• PFD (including knife, whistle and tether)
• Neoprene gloves
• Water Rescue helmet (operator yellow, supervisor
  white)
• Neoprene hood (may be discarded in warm weather)
• Lightstick (during periods of poor visability or
  darkness)

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PPE
For personnel working bankside, the minimum PPE
required is

• Technical Rescue PPE (orange)
• Technical Rescue Boots
• Water Rescue helmet
• Lifejacket
• Water Rescue gloves
• Alpine harness (where appropriate)

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Any Questions??
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HYDROLOGY
Moving water is

• A powerful force

• A constant and predictable force in specific
  flow conditions.

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HAZARDS AND FEATURES
Contamination
Floating Debris
Strainers
Weirs and Stoppers
Rocks and Underwater Objects
Eddies
Foot Entrapment
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TERMINOLOGY
Cushion
Eddy
Backwash
Re-circulation, Hole or Stopper
Boil Line
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TERMINOLOGY

• River Right

• River Left

• Outwash

• Helical flow

• Laminar flow

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PRE-RESCUE CONSIDERATIONS
Prior to a rescue attempt, the following must be
considered

• Upstream safety
• Downstream safety
• The Rescue Formula
• Line Safety Officers
• Safety swimmer
• Exit points
• Back up plan
• Safety briefing
• Casualty handling

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CASUALTY HANDLING

• CONSIDER THE CASUALTY A HAZARD THAT POSES GREAT
  DANGER

• Make the approach
• Shout
• Line or Float
• Contact
• Swim

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CASUALTY CARE
Cold water immersion can result in

• Cold water reflex
• Swimming fatigue
• Hypothermia
• Drowning

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CASUALTY CARE
Types of drowning

• Freshwater drowning
• Saltwater drowning
• Dry drowning
• Secondary drowning

TREAT AND MONITOR FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS
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Any Questions??
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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• Vehicles tend to float for up to one minute then
  sink, slide or roll.
• This gives the occupants an opportunity to
  escape.

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• Vehicles may become embedded in soft material.

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• Water pressure may push down the upstream side
  of a vehicle.

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• If the vehicle is being held by an obstruction,
  approach from downstream.

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• Vehicles on their side may roll and should not
  be approached from upstream.

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• Pre-entry considerations

• Locate vehicle
• Maintain contact
• Contact witnesses

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RESCUES FROM VEHICLES

• During a rescue

• Mark the vehicle
• Use a tether or winch for stabilisation
• Approach on a tether
• Open doors on downstream side
• Do not open upstream doors
• Break windows where necessary
• Replace casualties with rescuers

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Any Questions?
Dorset Fire Rescue Service HQ Peverell Avenue
West Dorchester Dorset DT1
3SU www.dorsetfire.co.uk 01305 252600