ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPT TRAINING MANUAL Section Truck Module Page 1 of 8 Water Rescue Procedures Revised

Transcription

1 Truck Module Page 1 of 8 WATER RESCUE PPE Personnel involved in a Water Rescue will utilize proper personal protective equipment, in compliance with the manufacturer s recommendations for operations, care, and maintenance. Safety equipment should also be available for each victim being rescued. Personnel should always prepare for and monitor physical and physiological demands of the rescuers in addition to the victims. With the possible exception of certain Code X rescues and searches, Escondido personnel will only conduct shore based rescue efforts in swift water. See EOM and Truck Module sections and Objectives Identify and use of proper safety clothing. List three methods of communication. Recognize and treat medical conditions. Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment Personal Flotation Device (PFD): The personal flotation device is the most important piece of equipment. Every rescuer must wear a PFD. The correct fit of a PFD is determined by donning the jacket, extending the arms above the head and exhaling while someone pulls the jacket up. If the jacket slides up, it is loose and the straps need to be readjusted. If the jacket cannot be stopped from slipping do not use that jacket. The minimum amount of flotation for Swiftwater is 15 ½ lbs. The U.S. Coast Guard approved type III & V jacket meets or exceeds this requirement. (Victim PFD s are recommended for all water rescue events.) Helmets: Light, foam padded helmets that are designed to drain water are required. At no time should any rescuer wear a helmet that has a bill on it. Given a choice between a fire helmet and no helmet, always go with no helmet. Thermal Protection: This is a major factor in the survival of the rescuer. This can range from a 3 mm. Wetsuit with gloves and booties to a full-body dry suit with a thermal liner. Rescuers should consider that most rescues are in stormy weather with cold and contaminated water. Every attempt should be made to ensure rescuer warmth and protection from exposure and the environment. Gloves and Foot Protection: Neoprene gloves and booties provide the best protection for rescuers. However, leather gloves and tennis shoes are acceptable and functional equipment. Bunker boots or Steel-toed boots must never be used. Knife: A knife is essential in water rescues to prevent entanglement. The knife, must be straight bladed and attached to the shoulder of the PFD, handle down.

2 Truck Module Page 2 of 8 Whistle: A whistle is necessary for communicating in situations where a voice cannot be heard. A non-ball, plastic whistle must be attached to the PFD. Throw bag: Similar to a structural drop bag, a throw bag contains 50 to 75 of 3/8" floating rope attached to the inside of the bag. The bag should not have any metal fittings or fasteners. Optional for Coastal and Neighboring Departments Fins: SAR fins, or equivalent, have been used by the coastal departments, as well as, our local swiftwater rescue teams. These fins have the ability to fit over rescue booties and shoes or just used with bare feet. Provide good thrust and easy to adjust for max performance. Mask, Snorkel: Mask and snorkel combos have been placed on select units on coastal units. Masks and snorkel come in several different designs and should be durable under all conditions. Rescue Tube / CAN: Rescue tubes and CANs have been used by lifeguards for years. These tools may be added to local fire department water rescue compliments, as they are already on select apparatus in the zone. Misc. Equipment: Additional equipment may be needed to perform safe and effective rescues. Items such as waterproof flashlights, headlamps, or Cyalume light sticks are very effective. Light sticks or strobe lights attached to PFD s during night operations will assist in accountability as rescuers can easily locate someone who is swept into the current. Mask, snorkel, fins, and rescue buoy (can) are an option for coastal departments. Personal Protective Equipment: Rescuer safety is paramount and personnel shall utilize the proper protective equipment appropriate for the rescue incident. Minimum PPE for land base operations should be an approved PFD, water helmet, gloves and appropriate footwear. Whistle, knife and strobe attached to PFD are optimal. Firefighting turnouts, wildland/structural fire helmets or other non-water approved PPE shall not be worn. Personal Flotation Device The personal flotation device (PFD) must be Class III or V jacket that is capable of providing a minimum of 15 ½ lbs. of floatation. Attached to the PFD should be a knife and sheath, as well as a strobe light. Pockets on the vest are useful for caring extra rescue equipment. A rescue whistle and

3 Truck Module Page 3 of 8 lanyard must be attached close enough to your mouth for emergency signaling. Due to department personnel body type, it is recommended to carry a minimum supply of a medium, large, and extra-large PFD s. The PFD should fit snugly. To check the fit, put on the PFD and tighten all straps and close zippers. Then raise your arms above your head and have someone lift the PFD at your shoulders. If it moves freely and almost comes off, or if the main zipper touches your nose, it's too big. Victim PDF s, for adults and children, should be added to your cache. These PFD s do not need to be rescuer type but must provide the proper floatation mentioned above. Follow manufacturer s recommendations. As a general practice, rinse PFD s in clean fresh water after each use. Rinse thoroughly if used in saltwater. Drip dry in shade. Do not store PFD unless dry. Do not place heavy items on top of PFD during storage. Inspect for damaged covering, straps, seams and buckles. Loosen straps for the next user. Swiftwater Rescue Helmet Water rescue helmets are light weight and durable. Water rescue helmets usually are one-size-fits-most and have a ratchet strap system that lets you quickly and easily adjust the fit. An adjustable chin strap ensures comfort and security. Ventilation/drainage ports let air in and water out of the durable ABS plastic shell. CE EN 1385 approved. Follow manufacturer s recommendations. As a general practice, rinse with fresh water after each use. Inspect the ratchet strap system for proper operation. Dry suit Water rescue dry suits are designed to provide protection from the elements of water and environment at the time of rescue. This barrier provides not only thermal protection, but also limits skin contact with potential harmful contaminants in the water. Dry suits are made from a three-ply laminate, having a micro denier nylon/polyester exterior fabric, a waterproof breathable barrier membrane and a tricot fabric inside layer making this surface water dry suit both waterproof and breathable. Reflective striping provides high visibility during night operations. The interior of the dry suit

4 Truck Module Page 4 of 8 features adjustable suspenders and waste band. The neck and wrist seals as well as the integrated socks or ankle seals provide a barrier from water entering sleeves or pant legs. These seals utilize a natural gum latex rubber. The rubber is surgical grade but not hypoallergenic. Donning Don dry suit per manufacturer recommendation. It s highly recommended to remove all objects from pant pockets. Duty shirts, badges, and belts are not recommended! A thermal jumpsuit must be used in all cold weather incidents and should be the only garment touching the dry suit. Note: Always pull the zipper head directly along the line of the zipper, but at a slight angle up from the fabric. This will keep the zipper from diving into the teeth or coils of the zipper. Care and Maintenance Follow manufacturer s recommendations. As a general practice, after each use, gently wash the inside of the MICRO fabric with a mild solution of hand washing or dishwashing soap. Then spray or rinse the inside and outside of the fabric with clean water. Hang dry the inside first and then the outside of the dry suit, out of the sun and away from heat. Wash the outside of the MICRO fabric with soap only when it cannot be cleaned with just water. The Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment can be removed prematurely by excessive washing, usually requiring more than 50 washings. Wash the latex seal inside and outside with a mild soap and warm water solution to remove all contamination that comes from body oils, pollution, lotions, etc. Apply a UV Tech to the cleaned latex both on the inside and on the outside of the seal. Store the suit rolled up in its bag with the zipper in the open position. Apply Zipper- Ease after each cleaning to ensure proper operation. DO NOT USE PARAFIN WAX! Inspection Test the DWR by dripping water on the outside face fabric. If the water beads up and is not soaked into the fabric, the DWR is functioning properly. If the water soaks into the fabric, clean the face fabric, dry your SROB, and then apply any one of the readily available commercial DWR treatments to reactivate the water repellency. Swiftwater Rescue Gloves Water rescue gloves are used for both water & rope rescue. These neoprene gloves have two protected layers on the palm and fingers to provide for better grip and added protection. These gloves must have a secure fit and provide

5 Truck Module Page 5 of 8 quality dexterity. Secure the glove using the Velcro strap to prevent from slippage. Rinse with fresh water after each use. Inspect stitching and Velcro. Hang dry out of the sunlight and never store damp. Rescue Knife Attached to the PFD must be a water safe outdoor knife. This knife is made with corrosion resistant stainless steel, which has a blunt utility tip blade and a form fitting, slip resistant handle. It also comes with a hard sheath that is vest mounted to the shoulder of our PFD. After use, rinse knife and sheath thoroughly with fresh water. Dry completely before storing. Inspect blade for sharpness and damage. Knife handle should be secured and free of cracks. Inspect mounting sheath for ease of operation and is secured to the PFD. Safety and Rescue Light It is a requirement that a signaling device or strobe be attached to all rescuers wearing a PFD for night operations. Attach the strobe/light to the back shoulder of the PFD, keeping the light/strobe facing away from your face. This is a flashing emergency safety and rescue light that is attached to the opposite shoulder as the knife and secured with zip ties. Keep debris and moisture from entering the inside of the battery housing. Occasionally clean and lightly lubricate the o-ring and lens cap threads. Use only silicone grease, never use aerosol spray lubricants. This light should be rinsed with fresh water after each use. Avoid getting dirt and grit in the threads of the lens cap. If this occurs, take the light apart, remove the battery and clean thread with soap and water, lubricate the o-ring and reassemble the light. Inspect the light for cracks in the lens or the body. Headlamp Headlamps allow for hands-free work in and out of the water. The department may elect to mount this headlamp on the front of the swiftwater helmet using two zip-ties. The ties are looped through the lamp base and through two vents of the helmet.

6 Truck Module Page 6 of 8 To operate this headlamp, simply turn the selector button, on the right, to your desired setting. During changing of batteries, keep clear of dust, debris and moisture before closing the battery guard. Rinse light with fresh water after each use. Inspect for damage, operational readiness and secured mounting to the helmet. **Batteries are to be removed after each use** Waterproof Radio Case During water rescue operations, it is highly recommended to use a waterproof radio case/harness. This case is 100% waterproof to a depth of 15 feet and tear-resistant. If you seal enough air inside the case, your radio will float safely if you drop it in the water. To use: Put the clamp together, twist the levers round and the case are sealed. Make sure that there is nothing caught in the seal and the material isn t folded or creased near the clamp. Rinse with fresh water after each use. Air dry out of sunlight and make sure the case is dry before storage. Do a bubble test before each use. A bubble test is done by sealing the case without a radio inside, filling the case with air and submersing the case. If bubbles appear, there is a leak and the case needs to be repaired. Throw Bag Throw bags must be provided in the water rescue equipment cache. Throw bags are highly versatile for reaching patients, attaching equipment, and using within a rope rescue system. The rope itself is 3/8 and comes in lengths of 50 to 75 ; 75 is highly recommended. The bags can come with, or without, a locking D carabineer and a pocket for storage, depending on department preference. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after use. Inspection and documentation of rope should be done after each use. Inspect carabineer for damage and operational readiness.

7 Truck Module Page 7 of 8 Rescue Tube or Can Rescue Tubes or CANs are widely used throughout the water rescue community. These tools allow rescuers to provide flotation to victims, whether in pools, lakes, rivers, or oceans. The standard rescue tube is 50 in length and 6 X 4 thick, which provides approximately 44lbs of buoyancy. Attached to the rescue tube is a 66 heavy-duty towline. Rescue Can (Burnside Buoy) ranges from 28 long, weighing 3lbs, to 33 long, weighing 5lbs. On average, the Can provides 35lbs of flotation and increases with the length. The buoy has a 7 to 10 line connected to an adjustable 1 nylon strap. Check tubes and cans for excessive wear, damage, and towline defects. Rinse with fresh water, hang dry out of the direct sunlight, and store equipment dry. Mask and Snorkel Masks and snorkel come in various designs and style. A standard dive mask, with a simple flex tube snorkel that attaches to the mask, provides the necessary function for rescue. Rinse with fresh water and dry out of direct sunlight. Inspect the mask for leaks, cracks in the lens, degradation of the face seal, and straps. Snorkel should be inspected for cracks along the tube and mouthpiece functionality. Search and Rescue (SAR) Fins SAR fins are adjustable light-weight blades that allow thrust and maneuverability in all water conditions. The design allows for the fins to be worn over rescue boots/booties, shoes, and even bare foot. An adjustable buckle with a quick-release system secures the fins even in swiftwater. Rinse with fresh water and dry out of sunlight. Inspect blades for cracks, foot cover for tears, straps for damage, and the buckle for functionality.

8 Truck Module Page 8 of 8 Water Rescue PPE Revised Swiftwater Equipment Bag All equipment should be stored in a mesh duffel bag. The bag has carrying handles that allow hand, shoulder or back transport. The bag should be tear resistant mesh, which will provide natural ventilation for storing water rescue equipment. It is recommended to completely dry equipment before storing. Rinse with fresh water after each use and air dry before storing equipment. Inspect the mesh, handles and cloth for damage.