Swiftwater rescue
Encyclopedia
Swiftwater rescue is a subset of technical rescue
dealing in whitewater
river conditions. Due to the added pressure of moving water, swiftwater rescue involves the use of specially trained personnel, rope
s and mechanical advantage
systems that are often much more robust than those used in standard rope rescue
. The main goal is to use or deflect the water’s power to assist in the rescue of the endangered person(s), as in most situations there is no easy way to overcome the power of the water.
(ICS) will emerge. ICS is a national protocol used for managing emergencies in the United States
. Initially created for use by the United States Forest Service
and United States Bureau of Land Management
to manage wild fires
, ICS has become the benchmark by which all disasters are managed in the United States. "ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents." All rescue operations demand vigilance with regards to safety. ICS provides that a Safety Officer be present to monitor and address all safety issues. One of these issues pertains to the incident scene.
(PPE) exist for personnel operating within these three zones. The Cold Zone is considered to be anything greater than 15 feet (4.6 m) from the water's edge,. Awareness Level personnel shall approach no closer than the Cold zone. The Warm Zone begins 15 feet from the water's edge, and ends at the water's edge. Personnel operating in the Warm Zone shall be trained to the Operations Level, and must wear a properly fitted and secured personal flotation device
(PFD). The Hot Zone refers to any and all activities taking place in the water. These activities shall be performed by personnel trained to the Technician Level, provided they are wearing a properly fitted and secured personal flotation device
.
has evolved for the implementation of various rescue methods in Swift Water Rescue. Under times of stress, the implementation of this algorithm helps to prevent a rescuer from endangering himself and the victim, thus providing a sound, step by step approach when effecting a rescue. As the algorithm progresses, the danger and threat to rescuer and victim increases. The algorithm is, "Talk", "Reach", "Wade", "Throw", "Helo", "Row", "Go", and "Tow" (This change is due to the increase safety of helicopter operations and the increased deaths of rescuers in boats). While it is safest to talk a victim into performing a self-rescue, there exists a substantial increase in danger once a rescuer enters the water. "Talk" refers to the dialogue that takes place between the rescuer and victim, and includes the rescuer directing the victim in methods of self-rescue, such as swimming to shore. If unsuccessful, the rescuer will attempt to "Reach" with an object, such as a tree branch, paddle, or pole, to the victim, so that the victim can be pulled to safety.
of a moving body of water carves the path of movement, it experiences friction caused by resistance along the shallows and outer or higher banks, and travels at a slower speed at the edges than the center. Therefore, a rescuer often has the opportunity to wade along the banks of a moving body of water to more easily "talk" to, or "reach" the victim. 80% of moving water rescues are effected using throw bags and other throw devices. A rescuer can "throw" a throw bag or other throw device from a boat, stable platform, or dry land, or may elect to wade into the shallows and then initiate a throw. "Row" includes, but is not limited to, all forms of boat-based operations. This includes a boat on a highline Tyrolean
with a midpoint drop and two- and four-5point boat on tether systems.
, exhausted, injured or panicked victims are extremely difficult and dangerous for both parties and should be left to rescuers well versed in proper rescuer/victim communication, holds, and swimming techniques. When a victim is not accessible from any of the previous rescue methods, resources permitting, a helicopter rescue may be attempted. A helicopter, or "helo", is a stable rescue platform from which a variety of rescue methods can be initiated. While the helicopter must be equipped for rescue work, the crew must be equipped, trained and well practiced in the art of swift water rescue
and Canada
, surface water and swiftwater rescue is covered under National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2008 Edition. This standard contains two separate chapters that define the required knowledge, skills and abilities for surface water rescue (Chapter 11) and swiftwater rescue (Chapter 12). The use of the terms Awareness, Operational and Technician have been replaced by two levels of qualification: Level I and Level II.
According to page 12 of NFPA 1006:
Technical rescue
Technical rescue refers to those aspects of saving life or property that employ the use of tools and skills that exceed those normally reserved for fire fighting, medical emergency, and rescue. These disciplines include rope rescue, swiftwater rescue, confined space rescue, ski rescue, cave rescue,...
dealing in whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
river conditions. Due to the added pressure of moving water, swiftwater rescue involves the use of specially trained personnel, rope
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
s and mechanical advantage
Mechanical advantage
Mechanical advantage is a measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system. Ideally, the device preserves the input power and simply trades off forces against movement to obtain a desired amplification in the output force...
systems that are often much more robust than those used in standard rope rescue
Rope rescue
Rope rescue is a subset of technical rescue that involves the use of static nylon kernmantle ropes, anchoring and belaying devices, friction rappel devices, various devices to utilize mechanical advantage for hauling systems, and other specialized equipment to reach victims and safely recover...
. The main goal is to use or deflect the water’s power to assist in the rescue of the endangered person(s), as in most situations there is no easy way to overcome the power of the water.
Rescue operations
As a Swift Water Rescue Scene evolves, the Incident Command SystemIncident Command System
The Incident Command System is "a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response" according to the United States Federal Highway Administration...
(ICS) will emerge. ICS is a national protocol used for managing emergencies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Initially created for use by the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
and United States Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
to manage wild fires
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
, ICS has become the benchmark by which all disasters are managed in the United States. "ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents." All rescue operations demand vigilance with regards to safety. ICS provides that a Safety Officer be present to monitor and address all safety issues. One of these issues pertains to the incident scene.
Zones of operation
The immediate area of operations at the incident, is divided into three zones of operation, "Cold", "Warm", and "Hot". Certain requirements regarding training and personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, and in...
(PPE) exist for personnel operating within these three zones. The Cold Zone is considered to be anything greater than 15 feet (4.6 m) from the water's edge,. Awareness Level personnel shall approach no closer than the Cold zone. The Warm Zone begins 15 feet from the water's edge, and ends at the water's edge. Personnel operating in the Warm Zone shall be trained to the Operations Level, and must wear a properly fitted and secured personal flotation device
Personal flotation device
A personal flotation device is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by...
(PFD). The Hot Zone refers to any and all activities taking place in the water. These activities shall be performed by personnel trained to the Technician Level, provided they are wearing a properly fitted and secured personal flotation device
Personal flotation device
A personal flotation device is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by...
.
Risk algorithm
In order to provide for the safety of both the rescuer and victim, a low to high risk algorithmAlgorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
has evolved for the implementation of various rescue methods in Swift Water Rescue. Under times of stress, the implementation of this algorithm helps to prevent a rescuer from endangering himself and the victim, thus providing a sound, step by step approach when effecting a rescue. As the algorithm progresses, the danger and threat to rescuer and victim increases. The algorithm is, "Talk", "Reach", "Wade", "Throw", "Helo", "Row", "Go", and "Tow" (This change is due to the increase safety of helicopter operations and the increased deaths of rescuers in boats). While it is safest to talk a victim into performing a self-rescue, there exists a substantial increase in danger once a rescuer enters the water. "Talk" refers to the dialogue that takes place between the rescuer and victim, and includes the rescuer directing the victim in methods of self-rescue, such as swimming to shore. If unsuccessful, the rescuer will attempt to "Reach" with an object, such as a tree branch, paddle, or pole, to the victim, so that the victim can be pulled to safety.
Laminar flow
Since the laminar flowLaminar flow
Laminar flow, sometimes known as streamline flow, occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers, with no disruption between the layers. At low velocities the fluid tends to flow without lateral mixing, and adjacent layers slide past one another like playing cards. There are no cross currents...
of a moving body of water carves the path of movement, it experiences friction caused by resistance along the shallows and outer or higher banks, and travels at a slower speed at the edges than the center. Therefore, a rescuer often has the opportunity to wade along the banks of a moving body of water to more easily "talk" to, or "reach" the victim. 80% of moving water rescues are effected using throw bags and other throw devices. A rescuer can "throw" a throw bag or other throw device from a boat, stable platform, or dry land, or may elect to wade into the shallows and then initiate a throw. "Row" includes, but is not limited to, all forms of boat-based operations. This includes a boat on a highline Tyrolean
Tyrolean traverse
A Tyrolean traverse is a method of crossing through free space between two high points on a rope without a hanging cart or cart equivalent. This is used in a range of mountaineering activities: rock climbing, technical tree climbing, caving and water crossings. A zip-line is in essence a Tyrolean...
with a midpoint drop and two- and four-5point boat on tether systems.
Live bait rescue
In certain situations, such as an unconscious patient, one might "go and tow" the victim back to shore. Unlike all previous methods of rescue, the rescuer now enters the water in a swimming capacity. This method of rescue is also referred to as a "live bait rescue", where the rescuer swims to the aid of the victim while tethered to a team member at an anchor point, very much like bait on a hook at the end of a fishing pole. For example, a parent with children trapped in a vehicle in flowing water that needs to extricate and control scared or injured children on to the roof of the vehicle (there is a greater than 50% chance of dying in a vehicle that is flooded). If that platform (car, rock, bridge, roof etc.) becomes unstable or begins to succumb to rising water, that rescuer may need to tow a victim to the shore, eddy or pre-planned egress point. Towing rescues are extremely difficult and require training with a practiced rescuer as a victim. Actual tows with scared, hypothermicHypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
, exhausted, injured or panicked victims are extremely difficult and dangerous for both parties and should be left to rescuers well versed in proper rescuer/victim communication, holds, and swimming techniques. When a victim is not accessible from any of the previous rescue methods, resources permitting, a helicopter rescue may be attempted. A helicopter, or "helo", is a stable rescue platform from which a variety of rescue methods can be initiated. While the helicopter must be equipped for rescue work, the crew must be equipped, trained and well practiced in the art of swift water rescue
NFPA standards
In the USAUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, surface water and swiftwater rescue is covered under National Fire Protection Association
National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association is a United States trade association that creates and maintains private, copywrited, standards and codes for usage and adoption by local governments...
(NFPA) 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2008 Edition. This standard contains two separate chapters that define the required knowledge, skills and abilities for surface water rescue (Chapter 11) and swiftwater rescue (Chapter 12). The use of the terms Awareness, Operational and Technician have been replaced by two levels of qualification: Level I and Level II.
According to page 12 of NFPA 1006:
- 3.3.215.1 Level I Technical Rescuer: This level applies to individuals who identify hazards, use equipment, and apply limited techniques specified in this standard to perform technical rescue operations.
- 3.3.215.2 Level II Technical Rescuer: This level applies to individuals who identify hazards, use equipment, and apply advanced techniques specified in this standard to perform technical rescue operations.
Specialized ratings
Additionally there are more specialised ratings such as:- Whitewater Rescue Technician for the River Professional: For swiftwater/whitewater professionals, for whom rescue scenarios may be encountered on a daily basis;
- Dive Rescue - NFPA 1006, Chapter 13: Provides Level I and Level II standards for technical rescuers working underwater;
- Ice Rescue - NFPA 1006, Chapter 14: Provides Level I and Level II standards for technical rescuers working water incidents also involving ice;
- Surf Rescue - NFPA 1006, Chapter 15: Provides Level I and Level II standards for technical rescuers working in tidal or ocean water'
- Motorized Boat Operations: Teaches specialized boat handling and operation for rescue personnel and includes flood hazards and swiftwater maneuvering.