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9/17/2014 1 River Safety River Safety Essentials of Essentials of Waterways of Racine County Area • Total 792 sq mi (2,051 km 2 ) • Land 333 sq mi (862 km 2 ) • Water 460 sq mi (1,191 km 2 ), 58.0% Number of Lakes 21 Number of Lakes 21 Area in Lakes 3,919 acres (6.12 sq miles) Rivers & Creeks White, Des Plaines, Fox, Pike, Root, Honey Creek, Hoosier Creek, Husher Creek, Eagle Creek, Hoods Creek Major Watershed Fox River (West), Lake Michigan (East)

Essentials of River Safety - Racine, Wisconsin · River Safety Essentials of Waterways of Racine County Area ... You cannot learn swiftwater rescue from a book, video, or a lecture

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River SafetyRiver SafetyEssentials ofEssentials of

Waterways of Racine County

Area

• Total 792 sq mi (2,051 km2)

• Land 333 sq mi (862 km2)

• Water 460 sq mi (1,191 km2), 58.0%

Number of Lakes 21Number of Lakes 21

Area in Lakes 3,919 acres (6.12 sq miles)

Rivers & Creeks White, Des Plaines, Fox, Pike, Root, Honey Creek, HoosierCreek, Husher Creek, EagleCreek, Hoods Creek

Major Watershed Fox River (West), Lake Michigan (East)

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2010 NOREASTER Mar-10 10,090 $194,747,831 $19,301

TORRENTIAL RAIN - TN Apr-10 4,108 $228,927,788 $55,727

TORRENTIAL RAIN - NJ Mar-11 1,872 $36,427,635 $19,459

MID-SPRING STORMS Apr-11 4,304 $143,553,113 $33,353

LATE-SPRING STORMS Jun-11 2,416 $133,023,350 $55,059

Major Floods in the Past Four Years

EVENT DATE POLULATION AFFECTED DAMAGE EST. PER PERSON $

HURRICANE IRENE Aug-11 44,138 $1,329,010,346 $30,110

TROPICAL STORM LEE Sep-11 9,795 $451,565,578 $46,102

TROPICAL STORM DEBBIE Jun-12 1,791 $42,655,904 $23,817

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC Aug-12 11,975 $542,741,753 $45,323

SUPERSTORM SANDY Oct-12 128,055 $7,711,386,062 $60,219

IL FLOODING - APRIL 2013 Apr-13 3,354 $86,139,402 $25,683

COLORADO FLOODING - SEPT 2013 Sep-13 1,700 $64,608,173 $38,005

Chicago UnderwaterDES PLAINES, IL - APRIL 19: Bicycles sit in floodwater outside an apartment building April 19, 2013 in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling floodwater from the Des Plaines Riverfrom the Des Plaines River which is expected to crest at a record 11 feet later today. Record-setting rains and rising rivers have caused wide-spread flooding in many Illinois communities. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Chicago UnderwaterDES PLAINES, IL - APRIL 19: Octavio Castillo paddles a boat down a flooded street to reach the home of his cousin on April 19, 2013 in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling floodwater from the Desbattling floodwater from the Des Plaines River which is expected to crest at a record 11 feet later today. Record-setting rains and rising rivers have caused wide-spread flooding in many Illinois communities. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

State of Emergency in Racine County Due to Flooding

County Executive Jim Ladwig has just declared a state of emergency in Racine County because of the flooding and extended rainfall – April 18th, 2013th

The declaration follows the rainfall over the past week, and continuing today, that p g yhas led to flood watches and warnings.

"We met with Racine County municipalities this morning to evaluate the current situation and we continue to take proactive steps to lessen the impact of potential flooding along the rivers,” said Jim Ladwig in a statement. “County staff continues

to monitor the situation closely and we are prepared to do everything we can to support local municipal efforts.”

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A fast current makes it hard to navigate the waters of the Root river on Luedtke Avenue.

Spring Street and Chicago Street in Racine during the Flood of '08

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The Root River at Racine, WI was at record 11.3 feet at 9:30 am Monday June 9th, 2008. The highest level ever recorded previously was 8.54 feet in 1961. Many basements were flooded and some residents were forced to evacuate.

The 2007 Midwest flooding was a major flooding event that occurred in the Midwestern United States in the third week

Summary of Casualties and Damage

StateCounties affected

FatalitiesEstimated Damage

Illinois 7 2$22.8 million

Indiana 1 0 $5 million

of August 2007. Iowa 1 $8 million

Minnesota 7 7$179 million

Ohio 6 1$241 million

Wisconsin 5 3 $93 million

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• The River Environment• Personal Preparation• Rescue Philosophy

LECTURE CONTENT

• Water Hazards & Hydrology• Entrapment • ReachRescue Philosophy

• Scene Management• Medical Issues• Equipment• Throw Ropes

Reach• Throw• Row• Go • Communications

Swiftwater rescue is an extremely hazardous activity. You cannot learn swiftwater rescuefrom a book, video, or a lecture no matter how good. There is no substitute for professionaltraining and experience. It is your responsibility to get professional, hands-on training inthese areas before attempting to use the techniques and equipment described in thisawareness level seminar in an actual rescue. All techniques and procedures in this seminarshould be thoroughly practiced in a safe environment before they are attempted under fieldconditions. Even so, there remains a risk of death or serious injury when using them . Thisrisk must be accepted by the attendee.

Neither the presenters of this information or their respective agencies assumesNeither the presenters of this information or their respective agencies assumes responsibility or liability for death or personal injury resulting from the use or misuse

of information presented in this awareness level class

Swiftwater rescue is a dynamic field. New techniques, equipment, and materials will becomeavailable that cannot be discussed in this seminar, nor does this seminar attempt to cover alltechniques or situations. It is the responsibility of the attendee to remain current of newdevelopments and techniques in the field.

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• One of the most dynamic and dangerous areas of Special Operations

• Difficult to train for the real thing

O l• Our goal 

– Knowledge

– Skills

– Come home safe

• Personal Ability• Swimming Ability• Water Comfort & Confidence• Fitness, Conditioning and Warm Up• Safe Paddle and Boat Handling• Safety and Rescue Considerations• Personal Equipment

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Hypothermia

Rescuer With No Thermal Protection

Temperature   Useful Work  Unconscious

40 degrees 7.5 minutes    30 minutes

50 degrees 15 minutes    60 minutes

60 d 30 i t 120 i t60 degrees 30 minutes    120 minutes

P i ki Vi tiPanicking Victim• Several rescuers die every year because they did not recognize the signs of panic and made contact with the victim, only to becontact with the victim, only to be overpowered by the panicky victim.

• Never allow a victim that is in a state of panic make contact with you.

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• We Will Do Our Best to Save Savable Lives

• Remember We Did Not Put That Person Ri kat Risk

• We Owe It to Ourselves and Our Families to Come Home Safe

In general, use the fastest, lowest risk and least complexmethod of rescue consistent with the situation.  Insure your own safety first, then that of your team mates, then 

that of the victim.

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Basic Rules of Swiftwater Rescue

1 Self Rescue FirstSelf Rescue First

22 Teammate SecondTeammate Second

33 Victim ThirdVictim Third

Basic Rules of Swiftwater Rescue

DON’T Wear turnouts or other bulky service clothing.  Heavy, water‐soaked clothing makes swimming difficult and gives little thermal protection in the water.  Wear a wet or drysuit for thermal and physical protection while in the water.

DON’T Enter moving water except as a last resort.  Any rescuer who enters moving water – in a boat or by swimming – greatly increases his 

l i k l l Thi i i ll t f t i d l hpersonal risk level.  This is especially true of untrained personnel, who often have to be rescued themselves

DON’T Tie yourself to a rope if you do go in the water.  A safety tether may seem like good idea when entering a flooded stream but quite often the line snags or a tethered rescuer gets swept off his feet, pushed underwater, and held there by the force of the current.

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Basic Rules of Swiftwater Rescue

DO Wear a life jacket.  A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is the most important piece of personal protective equipment for rescues in or near (10ft / 3 m or less) moving water.  Choose a snug‐fitting US Coast Guard Type III or V designed for whitewater boating or rafting with 25‐30 lbs of floatation.  Avoid horsecollar (Type II) PFD’s for swiftwater use.

Get appropriate training before an incident.  There is no substitute for hands‐on, swiftwater specific training given by competent instructors

DO

Risk Assessment

Try to talk to the victim into self‐rescue

Attempt a shore‐based rescue first; then

a boat‐assisted rescue; then

a boat‐based rescue; and as a last resort an

a in‐water or swimming rescue

Helicopters are a high‐risk option and should be   considered only if other methods have failed or   are not possible

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• Locate, access and assess, stabilize and transport• Prioritizing the rescue• Most rescues performed quickly, without a formal structure.• Larger group and longer rescues often need structure• Incident Command structure – divisions & groupsIncident Command structure  divisions & groups• Develop a plan and a backup plan• Complete the rescue without compounding the situation• Communication (hand and whistle signals)• No free lancing!

• Perform medical care to the level of your training• Don’t make the situation worse.• Obtain more training; calling 911 is rarely an effective immediate option.p• Rescuers should be familiar with common medical problems.• CPR and wilderness first aid skills are essential for rescuers.

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• Protection from rocks and water• Thermal protection• Personal Rescue Gear• Group Rescue GearS i l E i• Survival Equipment

Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

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Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

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Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

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Personal Equipment

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

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Personal Equipmentq p

• PFD  Personal Flotation Device

• Helmet, Water Rescue

• River Shoes

Whi tl• Whistle

• Knife

• Thermal Protection

• Strobe or chemical light

• Selection based on rope material, diameter and length• Advantages and disadvantages of traditional bags, waist bags, coiled lines.• Care of the rescue rope• Rope SafetyRope Safety• Throwing and Recovery Zones• Types of Throws• Factors impacting an accurate throw• Receiving the Rope

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• Rivers are powerful, predictable and persistent• Subjective vs. objective hazards

Poor Judgment can Be Fatal River Hazards don’t Care if you don’t recognize them Flooding Dramatically increases risk

• Water reading• Eddies and Eddy Lines• Waves• Hydraulics

• Strainers• Horizontal Lines• Undercut rocks, broaching rocks• Foot entrapment risks

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Friend orFriend or…

…or Foe!!

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• WATER MOVING DOWN A GRADIENT • RESPONDS TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE

STREAM CHANNEL IN PREDICTABLE WAYS

• Rivers

• Creeks

• Most Canals • Lakes

• Ponds

• Washes

• Flood Control Channels

• Retention Basins

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Characteristics of SwiftwaterCharacteristics of Swiftwater

• Powerful

• Relentless

• Predictable

PowerfulPowerful

• Water Weights 62 Pounds Per Cubic Foot

• That Mass Obeys the Laws of Physics

M i W t H T d E• Moving Water Has Tremendous Energy

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R l tlRelentless

• Unlike the Surf, the Force of Swift Water Does Not Let up

• We Have Very Little Control Over the River

• If You Are Trapped or Pinned You Have a Very Poor Chance of Survival

Predictable

• A Knowledgeable Rescuer Will Be Able to Read• A Knowledgeable Rescuer Will Be Able to Readthe River and Predict With Certainty Where Both Safety and Danger Lie

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LaminarandHelicalHelical 

Flow

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Eddy’s

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• Foot Entrapment

• Stationary Objects

• Panicked Swimmer

• Low Head Dams

• Strainers

– Trees & Logs

F • Hypothermia

• Debris / Loads

– Fences

– Vehicles

• Bends

• Undercut Rocks

Low Head DamsLow Head Dams

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Escape RouteEscape Route

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Strainers

• The Most Dangerous Hazard on the River

• Anything That Water Flows Through but

Strainers

• Anything That Water Flows Through but a Person Wont

• Avoid It or Climb Over It or You Will Drown

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Climb over Strainers

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Foot Entrapment

Undercut Rocks

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Stationary Objects

Bridge abutments

Unlike natural rocks, which usually cause an upstream pillow, bridge abutments offer little hydraulic cushion, making pinning more likelyhydraulic cushion, making pinning more likely

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FloodDebrisFloodDebris

LoadsLoads

• Top Loads – things that float

• Suspended load – heavy objects that can’t float but move with the current; morefloat but move with the current; more dangerous because they can’t be seen

• Bottom Loads – stationary and non‐stationary objects on bottom; can cause foot entrapment

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Vehicle BehaviorVehicle BehaviorCars on paved surface tend to move, more likely to roll. Gravel surface tends to scour

gravel around tires causing vehicle to settle in

Reach – Throw – Row ‐ Go

Reach a stick, pike pole or  ladder to the victim

Throw him a throw line or rope.

Row out to the victim in a boat

Go directly into the waterfor a swimming rescue.

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• Essential self‐rescue tool• Safe eddy rule, don’t try to stand in swift current• Defensive and aggressive swimming• Defensive to aggressive transitionsC i dd li• Crossing to eddy lines

• Ferry techniques• Swiftwater entries• Handling strainers, holes and drops

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• Safe eddy rule• Swim instead of fighting for marginal footing• Water depth, water speed, and bottom conditions affect performance.M i i b l• Maintain balance

• “Look with your toes”• One person with paddle/prop• Two person

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• Often fastest and easiest technique for boaters, but potentially high risk.• Many uses for boats• Ferries for people and equipmentT l i f h l• Tool to sprint for help

• Paddle recovery• Boat recovery• Self rescue• Swimmer rescues and assists

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Boat CommunicationsBoat Communications

Crew Signals to Shore ControlCrew Signals to Shore Control

1 whistle blast = move boat1 whistle blast = move boatin direction indicated byin direction indicated byin direction indicated byin direction indicated bycaptain’s raised paddlecaptain’s raised paddle

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