June Fire Scenario -- Water Rescue

[Dalmation90]

Ok, so maybe this isn't a fire...but after today's *hot* memorial day parade (Ok, the uniforms are short sleeve...but those mostly polyester pants have got to go!) I was thinking it would be nice to go for a swim, which brings up this month's scenario.

Out for a fun holiday afternoon, some local teenagers are on the river. One of them dives in, which was kinda foolish, because it's been a dry spring and the river level is already down...and you never quite know where exactly where or how deep the pockets are.

So out gets toned the local fire department (that would be you).

On arrival, you find that his friends got him to an island about a hundred feet from shore. He's unconcious, but alive, and that's about all you know right now about his state. The river can be walked across at this point to the island...it's knee deep, maybe a little deeper here and there...type of thing you could walk across with a backboard, but do really want to?

Ok, folks,
What's your action plan?

Do you carry any special equipment (life preservers, rope, hose-filled-with-air, boats, etc.) you would use?

Do you have enough resources, or do you have to special call extra help?

Anything else interesting to add?

Play hard. Have fun. Stay safe.
Matt

[mfgentili]

Diving accident? Immediately think neck/C- Spine injury. Bring equipment to immobilze ie. cervical collar, board, straps etc. You should ask yourself what caused the unconciousness, a head injury or near drowning? Therefore oxygen also a must if victim is having difficulty breathing. Inflatable boat/raft (10' Zodiac type) would be preferable for transport of victim across river rather than wading since footing is unsure on any river crossing regardless of depth. At least if the victim is immobized in some type of raft there is no danger of dropping him and risking further injury. The danger to rescuers would come from the river crossing so they should be equipped with life jackets and safety lines. Don't ever underestimate the power of moving water. Many drowning deaths have occurred in streams and rivers with less than 3' of water depth. Usually caused by falling and getting trapped under water or striking head. Looking forward to other ideas.

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mfg

[Ledbelly]

Matt- You must have come up with this one just to tease me! I think Mike covered everything I would be able to think of....since there isn't a river around here! http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif Seriously...our water rescue situation is pretty precarious: the only "equipment" we would have are ropes and/or hoses, aside from the EMS equipment and only one member of the department has ANY serious training, course he came from a part of Texas where there are rivers. The reason I mention this is because we are prone to have flash flood conditions with as little as 1/2" of rain...many of the major streets get all but impassible and there a several drainage ditches (maybe one quarter size of the ones you see in LA)that catch the runoff and certainly show some whitewater. We have been out numerous times to (attempt to?) check vehicles that get in the draws. Having taught water rescue (almost an oxymoron out here) to several rookie schools, I feel that I am better aware of the hazards but still at a loss for equipment/tactics. A "routine" water rescue for us would be from a pool and as mentioned, Mike covered those aspects well.(Cspine, backboard, etc.) I apologize for twisting the scenario around to a swift-water angle and thanks for letting me ramble! In short, I'd probably be calling you guys for help....

lw

[Ledbelly]

Matt- You must have come up with this one just to tease me! I think Mike covered everything I would be able to think of....since there isn't a river around here! http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif Seriously...our water rescue situation is pretty precarious: the only "equipment" we would have are ropes and/or hoses, aside from the EMS equipment and only one member of the department has ANY serious training, course he came from a part of Texas where there are rivers. The reason I mention this is because we are prone to have flash flood conditions with as little as 1/2" of rain...many of the major streets get all but impassible and there a several drainage ditches (maybe one quarter size of the ones you see in LA)that catch the runoff and certainly show some whitewater. We have been out numerous times to (attempt to?) check vehicles that get in the draws. Having taught water rescue (almost an oxymoron out here) to several rookie schools, I feel that I am better aware of the hazards but still at a loss for equipment/tactics. A "routine" water rescue for us would be from a pool and as mentioned, Mike covered those aspects well.(Cspine, backboard, etc.) I apologize for twisting the scenario around to a swift-water angle and thanks for letting me ramble! In short, I'd probably be calling you guys for help....

lw

[Ledbelly]

Matt- You must have come up with this one just to tease me! I think Mike covered everything I would be able to think of....since there isn't a river around here! http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif Seriously...our water rescue situation is pretty precarious: the only "equipment" we would have are ropes and/or hoses, aside from the EMS equipment and only one member of the department has ANY serious training, course he came from a part of Texas where there are rivers. The reason I mention this is because we are prone to have flash flood conditions with as little as 1/2" of rain...many of the major streets get all but impassible and there a several drainage ditches (maybe one quarter size of the ones you see in LA)that catch the runoff and certainly show some whitewater. We have been out numerous times to (attempt to?) check vehicles that get in the draws. Having taught water rescue (almost an oxymoron out here) to several rookie schools, I feel that I am better aware of the hazards but still at a loss for equipment/tactics. A "routine" water rescue for us would be from a pool and as mentioned, Mike covered those aspects well.(Cspine, backboard, etc.) I apologize for twisting the scenario around to a swift-water angle and thanks for letting me ramble! In short, I'd probably be calling you guys for help....

lw

[T.D / 1122]

Good reply "Mike".. it's always good to hear a "SAFE" course of action!.. Very well put! Under the ideal conditions that would be the route I would take!

If you Read into the scenerio it could go a thousand different ways! Especially if you consider that the only pt. info that is given is that the person dove in, and is now unconcious! Sure it's kinda obvious what seems to have happened, or is it? Did the person really hit their head? Or is it some kind of medical condition that caused the unconsciousness? Always get the facts before you act! None the less I would recognize it as a load & go situation.. If the boat was present or close by I would transport via boat to the shore. If not, and the Medic unit was on location already... considering the injuries, and if the manpower was there..(everybody with life jackets of course) I would have one or two firefighters walk the line of travel scanning for hazards (rocks under water, holes, ect.)Then I would have four personnel carry pt. across on back board....that's only if we're talking slow water that is knee deep... depending on how fast the water.. a boat is a absolute, not an option, but then again swift water rescue is a completly different baby!
What are your thoughts on the "Miller Board"?.. Anybody used them? Would this be a good purchase?

Safety for firefighters as well as the victims we encounter is an absoulute in our line of work, and should always be "ACHEIVED" rather than "CONSIDERED".. Now on the same token.. (not taking away from safety).. keeping the scene time to a minumum is also crucial in this case!



[This message has been edited by T.D / 1122 (edited June 02, 1999).]

[BURNSEMS]

A miller board with a S.K.E.D.and flotation collar is a great combination for Water Rescue. It may be a little aggresive but a Tyrolene Traverse would work well in that situation as long as the proper equipment is available and you follow all the recomendations as posted earlier.

[Ledbelly]

G-g-guess I was stuttering while I was typing...no wonder it took so long after I hit submit. Three replies?! Moderator...please feel free to delete two of the posts from Ledbelly.

[jsouza]

Marine rescues are pretty straightforward, this one even more so. Stations 2 and 3, with Marine 1 and Marine 3. M1 is a 13' Whaler, M3 is a 17' Whaler. M1 launches as close as possible to the incident (our town is mainly 2 peninsulas jutting into Mount Hope Bay), M3 launches from the town boat ramp. Have the ambulance meet one of the boats at the launch point, stablilize the vicitm and transport.

When I saw water rescue, I was thinking you were going to throw a sinking 35' sailboat with 15 drunken partiers on board 200 yards off shore at us....anyone got a plan of attack for that one?

[jpm]

hey matt
well here we go, a couple of boots show up wearing thier bunker gear .they both get plinked in the ear and told to take it off. p.p.e and water don't mix. p.p.e. gets thrown on truck for next call.rescue truck pulls boat,its about 14 foot long maybe 12 with a flat bottom and flat hull with an 8 hp. crew is a driver , officer, e.m.t. and the two boots with red ears.on scene rescue gets as close to water as possible. we throw in the boat, backboard,collars,trama kit ,o2 and a blanket.hump the boat to the water.we put on are p.f.d.s.pump gas bubble three times,make sure trottle is on start, pull choke, pull cord motat sputters,push in choke and start motar,.sailing sailing here we come. two boots stand on shore looking stupid with red ears. e.m.t. packages ex swimer. put him in the boat trunkless and with blanket on him .if boat is to heavey only two firefighters will go back.on shore ambulance has shown up.they have the ac on full blast they also get plinked in the ears.about this time chief shows up with his shorts on and pale white legs drinking a coffe. yes yes he gets plinked in the ear also.

stay low stay safe

[RAL]

MATT- First you need to measure the current, 100 yards of travel in 1 minute equals 1 knot. Next get your swimmers and rescue lines down river in place. Take your jump kit, o2, back board and collar. Also bring some floats. We have a small Zodiac so we would use this but since it is shallow it would be walked over or paddled. I would also be calling for a helo in our area.

Note if this is at night light up the area before anyone enters the water. Also put chem lights on your victim and personnel. Under situation would I tie the victim to the boat. If your boat flipped then you have just made things worse. Also I prefer not only a visual scan for obstructions but also using a hiking stick. This is what the military uses for patrols in swamps and wet areas.

Also remeber the draft on your boat, you will look silly if you get it stuck.

[Dalmation90]

Hey jpm...don't remind me of bunkers & water...brings up bad memories http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Last fall had a mass casualty drill, auto accident by the river...one of the victims was on a steep river bank...
Chief even asked if I needed a rope to get down, and I said no...did manage to muckle down and get myself secured against a tree and began assesment. Being short handed, and I was now safely against a tree, Chief went away to check on other stuff.

I took my New Yorker helmet off and put it on the bank...and proceded to see it roll down and into the river...

Look at "patient"...look at helmet drifting down stream...look at "patient"...look at helmet...tell patient "Well, since you're not really hurt, I'll be back in a minute!"

Slow moving river, still had to wade out to my waist(Can you say Wet bunkers?) to retrieve helmet...not a happy camper having to climb hand over hand about ten feet up the bank in soaking wet bunker pants to get back to the patient.

Anyway, as more people showed up, we ended up throwing down ropes that me and my helper got tied off to so we could package the patient...but everybody had to listen to me bitch about being wet for the rest of the drill http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

One lesson learned...I probably should have put on a life vest before going onto the bank since you never now when you'll end up in the water!

[e33]

You are lucky you didnt really become a victim. This is why we as rescuers need to have an awareness level understanding of all situations we may encounter. Working near the river bank should be handled similar to working in the river. At no time should anyone have any type of turnout gear on anywhere near the banks. The rescues we see in Moorehead City and similar ones on tape of firemen in canoes wearing turnout gear illustrate this phenomenon. Good way to raise the victim toll.

We as the rescuer are the #1 most important person on any scene, followed by our partner, our fellow workers, uninvolved bystanders and finally the victim is the last priority...its their problem, not yours...important to remember!

As always, be safe and dont become a statistic.

[Dalmation90]

<snip>At no time
should anyone have any type of turnout gear on anywhere near the banks <snip>

Never speak in absolutes and never get on a high horse over humorous stories...or you might never be able to fight a car fire on a boat launch or setup suction hose on 10 below zero night!

The problem wasn't the turnout gear in my story -- it was the lack of putting on a PFD! And it's a humorous little story to make an important point.

As a related aside...I was talking with a new Lieutenant the other day, and though I can't remember how it came up, his eyes suddenly opened wide and said, "You know, we should carry life vests on the engine for the operator's to wear!" Which makes sense, since the engine is usually at a river/pond a half mile or so from the scene, with only one or two guys, and typically it takes a while to adjust the suction before you're happy with it...Does anyone else out there actually have their crews on drafting pumpers put on PFDs? I know it sounds kinda of crazy at first glance (you know, the 200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress thing)...but then again, it makes a tremendous amount of sense!

Matt