PREVIEW OF NFPA SWIFTWATER RESCUE AWARENESS TRAINING PRESENTATION

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To provide First Responders withBasic knowledge concerning the characteristics & dangers of moving waterSpecific information regarding the hazards associated with rescues from moving waterInformation regarding basic equipment & skills necessary to accomplish shore based & self rescue from moving waterOverview of First Responder support roles or extended Search & Rescue Operations

COURSE GOALS

Basic Knowledge TerminologyTheory/Duties of First ResponderSafetyDispatch

BACKGROUND

Roughly 5,000 deaths annuallyDrowning deaths usually occur within 30 to 70

feet from shore & are over in less than 1 minute

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 5 years of age1/3 of drowning's are would be rescuers

PRE-INCIDENT PLANNING

FamiliarityTypes of waterwaysHazardsPhysical featuresPre-determined rescue sitesAnchor points

SWIFT WATER

Can be found inRiversCreeksWashesFlood control

channels

PREVIEW OF

SWIFTWATER RESCUEAWARENESS

POWERPOINT TRAINING PRESENTATION

STILL WATER

Can be found in LakesPondsRetention Basins

SWIFT WATER CHARACTERISTICS

PowerfulRelentlessPredictable

POWERFUL

Water weighs 62 Lbs per cubic foot8 Lbs per gallonMass obeys the laws of physicsMoving water has tremendous energy

PHYSICS

FORCE=Mass X Velocity2

Velocity PoundsOn Legs

Pounds On Body

5 ft/S=3.4 MPH 16.8 33.610 ft/S=6.8 MPH 67.2 13420 ft/S=13.6 MPH

269 538

TURBULENT WHITEWATER

Up to 60% of air=loss of buoyancy

WATER FLOW VOLUME

Depth X Width X Velocity 10 X 50 X 5 ft/Sec = 2500 Cu/Ft/Sec

10 ft

50 ft

VELOCITY INCREASES PASTOBSTICLE & NEAR LINE

Eddy line

Still or slow water

Slow water

Fast water

HELICAL FLOW

Slow moving water along shore circulates with water in main channel

Pulls people from shore out to main channelCan undercut dirt or sand banks that can lead to

collapse

STRAINERS

Avoid the strainer or climb over it, or you may drown if you become entangled

HOLE

MOVING WATER

CURRENT VELOCITY (MPH)

LEGS(lbs)

BODY(lbs)

SWAMPED BOST(lbs)

3 16.8 33.6 168

6 67.2 134 672

9 151 302 1512

12 269 538 2688

LOW HEAD DAM

FACE

BACKWASH

BOIL LINE

OUTWASH

LOW WATER CROSSING

Pre-plan areasAssess vehicle stability1ft of water depth will

displace 1500 lbs. from total weight of vehicle

REACH

Extend object to victim from shorePaddleLadderPike poleInflated hose

VICTIM RESCUE

Reach or throw onlyDo not attach rope to yourselfUse throw bag

Do not forget the speed of the waterDeploy downstream diagonal linesPendulum victim to shoreTreat for hypothermia

ROW

Photo by KOMU news

FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY

Use PFD and throw bag if within 10’ of waterDeploy upstream spotters (debris & surge)Deploy multiple downstream recovery pointsDo NOT wear structural firefighter turnout gear

or helmet

WEAR APPROPIATE PPE

Water Rescue vs. FF Turnout Gear

DRY SUIT

Photo by Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright

FOOT PROTECTION

Light weight & keep feet warm

Tennis shoes with wool or neoprene socks

Wet suit booties or specialized water boots

Photo by Lisa Risager

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