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Chapter 3Chapter 3Rescue TechniquesRescue Techniques

“The Rescue Sequence”“The Rescue Sequence”

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Enabling Learning Enabling Learning ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. Given a fill-in the blank question, the student will list in order the 5 steps of the Given a fill-in the blank question, the student will list in order the 5 steps of the rescue sequence according to the class materials.rescue sequence according to the class materials.

2.2. Given a diagram of the movable control point technique, the student will match Given a diagram of the movable control point technique, the student will match the line positions according to the class materials.the line positions according to the class materials.

3.3. Given a diagram of the tag line rescue technique, the student will label Given a diagram of the tag line rescue technique, the student will label members of the rescue team according to the class materials.members of the rescue team according to the class materials.

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Determining the Best Determining the Best TechniqueTechnique

SAFETY OF RESCURER is the #1 concernSAFETY OF RESCURER is the #1 concern Assess the sceneAssess the scene

River hazards and characteristicsRiver hazards and characteristics WeatherWeather

Assess the victimAssess the victim Rescue vs. recoveryRescue vs. recovery ConditionCondition Number of victimsNumber of victims

Available equipmentAvailable equipment Available rescue personnelAvailable rescue personnel

Number Number Skill levelSkill level

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Rescue SequenceRescue Sequence

1.1. Self-rescueSelf-rescue

2.2. Shore-based techniquesShore-based techniques

3.3. Boat-assisted Boat-assisted techniquestechniques

4.4. Boat-based techniquesBoat-based techniques

5.5. Go rescueGo rescue

6.6. HeloHelo

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Self-RescueSelf-Rescue First step in the rescue sequenceFirst step in the rescue sequence

Least dangerous type of rescueLeast dangerous type of rescue

You must determine the ability of the You must determine the ability of the victim to self rescue.victim to self rescue.

Rescuer must also be able to self Rescuer must also be able to self rescue themselves.rescue themselves.

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Self-Rescue Self-Rescue RescuerRescuer

Personal gearPersonal gear PFDPFD HelmetHelmet Wet/dry suitWet/dry suit River shoesRiver shoes Neoprene glovesNeoprene gloves Wicking clothing Wicking clothing

fleece, wool, etc..fleece, wool, etc.. Base layer clothingBase layer clothing Knife, WhistleKnife, Whistle

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Self-RescueSelf-RescuePosition in CurrentPosition in Current

Defensive Swim – Defensive Swim – float float on back with feet up, on back with feet up, toes out of water.toes out of water.

Use feet to fend off Use feet to fend off obstructions.obstructions.

Use hands to position Use hands to position body 45 degrees to the body 45 degrees to the current in ferrying current in ferrying position.position.

DO NOT stand up in DO NOT stand up in current. Doing so will current. Doing so will risk foot entrapment. risk foot entrapment.

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Self-RescueSelf-RescuePosition in CurrentPosition in Current

Aggressive Swim – strong, Aggressive Swim – strong, forceful crawl stroke on forceful crawl stroke on stomach.stomach.

KeepKeep body 45 degrees to body 45 degrees to the current in ferrying the current in ferrying position.position.

Keeping head out of water, Keeping head out of water, aggressively swim to shore aggressively swim to shore or away from hazard.or away from hazard.

DO NOTDO NOT stand up in stand up in current. Wait until you get current. Wait until you get to the shoreline or calm to the shoreline or calm water.water.

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Aggressive Forward Aggressive Forward SwimSwim

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueSolid ObstructionsSolid Obstructions

In defensive swim, In defensive swim, plant feet high on plant feet high on obstruction and push obstruction and push off and around.off and around.

DO NOT let feet slide DO NOT let feet slide down or under the down or under the surface of the water surface of the water and risk foot and risk foot entrapment.entrapment. Foot Position

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueSolid ObstructionsSolid Obstructions

If you are in a boat and If you are in a boat and hit a solid obstruction hit a solid obstruction sideways, LEAN sideways, LEAN TOWARD the obstruction TOWARD the obstruction to prevent capsizing.to prevent capsizing.

If you end up in the If you end up in the water, make sure you water, make sure you position yourself position yourself UPSTREAM of your boat. UPSTREAM of your boat.

Canoe

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueStrainersStrainers

If you cannot avoid the If you cannot avoid the hazard, aggressively hazard, aggressively swim at the strainer.swim at the strainer.

Just before hitting, lunge Just before hitting, lunge and pull yourself on top and pull yourself on top of the strainer using a of the strainer using a scissor kick to give scissor kick to give upward momentumupward momentum

DO NOT allow legs or DO NOT allow legs or feet to dangle. They may feet to dangle. They may be swept under taking be swept under taking you with them.you with them.

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueEddiesEddies

Eddies Are Your Friend. Eddies Are Your Friend. They provide good They provide good resting spots.resting spots.

To enter, backstroke into To enter, backstroke into eddy OR roll over and eddy OR roll over and swim using crawl stroke.swim using crawl stroke.

NO NOT stand up until NO NOT stand up until you can no longer swim you can no longer swim and are at shore.and are at shore.

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueCurrentCurrent

Rotational Capsizing Force- result of Rotational Capsizing Force- result of crossing a strong current differential, crossing a strong current differential, such as when entering or leaving an eddy.such as when entering or leaving an eddy.

Current acts against the keel and side of Current acts against the keel and side of the boatthe boat

To compensate, operator should lean To compensate, operator should lean down-currentdown-current

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueCapsized BoatsCapsized Boats

Stay upstream Stay upstream of the boat.of the boat.

Aggressive Aggressive swim toward swim toward shore.shore.

Remember 45 Remember 45 degree angle.degree angle.

Read Read downstream downstream river hazards.river hazards.

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Self-RescueSelf-RescueVictimVictim

Talk the victim into self-rescueTalk the victim into self-rescue

Give instructions and Give instructions and encouragementencouragement

H.E.L.P positionH.E.L.P position

Huddle PositionHuddle Position

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Shore Based RescuesShore Based Rescues

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Shore-Based RescueShore-Based Rescue Second rescue in rescue sequenceSecond rescue in rescue sequence Rescuer stays safely on shoreRescuer stays safely on shore Rescuer extends an object out to Rescuer extends an object out to

victim and brings them to safetyvictim and brings them to safety Rope-throw bagRope-throw bag PFDPFD Pole, stickPole, stick Inflated fire hoseInflated fire hose MARS poleMARS pole Cargo NetCargo Net

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Shore-Based RescueShore-Based RescueThrow BagsThrow Bags

Line can be Line can be

thrown to a victim thrown to a victim using throw bags using throw bags or coils.or coils.

Lines can be used Lines can be used to set up to set up stabilization and stabilization and snag lines for foot snag lines for foot entrapments.entrapments.

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Shore-Based RescueShore-Based RescueFire Hose RescueFire Hose Rescue

Hose is rigid and Hose is rigid and buoyant when filled buoyant when filled with air.with air.

Inflated fire hose can Inflated fire hose can be extended to victim.be extended to victim.

One fifty foot section One fifty foot section can support up to 10 can support up to 10 adults.adults.

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Line GunsLine Guns

CommerciaCommercially made lly made line guns.line guns.

Homemade Homemade line guns.line guns.

Shore-Based RescueShore-Based RescueVertical RescuesVertical Rescues Technician SkillTechnician Skill

This course will not instruct you in vertical rescuesThis course will not instruct you in vertical rescues

Used for vertical approaches from objects such as bridge piers and cliffs.

Rescuer is lowered using lower-haul system.

All vertical rescuers must be NFPA rope technician level..

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Boat-Assisted RescueBoat-Assisted Rescue

Third rescue in rescue sequenceThird rescue in rescue sequence This rescue uses a boat to transport This rescue uses a boat to transport

rescuers and gear for positioning but rescuers and gear for positioning but the boat is not used for the actual the boat is not used for the actual rescue technique.rescue technique.

Once the persons and gear are set, a Once the persons and gear are set, a shore-based rescue is initiated.shore-based rescue is initiated.

Snag line and Stabilization rescues may Snag line and Stabilization rescues may be boat assisted depending on river be boat assisted depending on river width and access to the far shorewidth and access to the far shore..

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Boat Assisted RescueBoat Assisted RescueTag LineTag Line

This technique is used at a hydraulic, This technique is used at a hydraulic, works well in swiftwater to stabilize works well in swiftwater to stabilize victim and ferry PFD to stranded victim.victim and ferry PFD to stranded victim.

Technique works well if the distance is Technique works well if the distance is less than 300 ft wide and there is access less than 300 ft wide and there is access to both ends.to both ends.

Shore line cannot be steep, or densely Shore line cannot be steep, or densely covered with brush or treescovered with brush or trees

Rescue may be shore-based if narrow Rescue may be shore-based if narrow enough to simply throw lines across river. enough to simply throw lines across river.

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Boat Assisted RescueBoat Assisted Rescue Two lines (200-300ft) are clipped to a Two lines (200-300ft) are clipped to a

flotation device.flotation device.

Rescuers and one of the attached line bags Rescuers and one of the attached line bags is taken to the far shore.is taken to the far shore.

Once lines and rescuers are set, the Once lines and rescuers are set, the flotation device is pulled into the water flotation device is pulled into the water along the dam using the two lines.along the dam using the two lines.

The device is then worked back and forth The device is then worked back and forth across the face of the dam until contact is across the face of the dam until contact is made with victim.made with victim.

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Boat Assisted RescueBoat Assisted RescueTag LineTag Line

Face of Dam

Boil

VVictim is Rescued !

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Snag line rescuesSnag line rescues

Similar to tag line Similar to tag line rescue.rescue.

Uses submerged Uses submerged line rather than line rather than line above the line above the water. water.

Used to stabilize Used to stabilize victim, to un-do a victim, to un-do a foot entrapment.foot entrapment.

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Boat Based RescuesBoat Based Rescues

Fourth rescue in the rescue sequenceFourth rescue in the rescue sequence

Boat is actually used perform the Boat is actually used perform the rescue and makes direct contact with rescue and makes direct contact with the victim.the victim.

Examples include: two boat tether, Examples include: two boat tether, movable control point and direct movable control point and direct pickup of victim, etc…pickup of victim, etc…

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Flip lines Flip lines

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Four Line Tether MethodFour Line Tether Method Lines are attached, typically two or four, to move the boat from side to side and up and down on the river. Tenders move dynamically up and down river as needed. This works best in slower, low cfs water. A minimum of personnel are needed to perform. This system is quick to set up and utilize. Highlines may be utilized to effect boat assisted and boat based rescues. Additional tag lines and mechanical advantage lines may be utilized as needed.

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Two Line TetherTwo Line Tether

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How to get victim into boat How to get victim into boat once rescuedonce rescued

Loop stepLoop step Blanket RollBlanket Roll Stirrup stepStirrup step Double BounceDouble Bounce Cargo netCargo net OthersOthers

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Boat Based RescueBoat Based RescueHigh Line SystemHigh Line System

This technique can be used when rescuers This technique can be used when rescuers must work upstream from a hazard.must work upstream from a hazard.

The boat may utilize its motors to reach the The boat may utilize its motors to reach the victim rather moves by a line system.victim rather moves by a line system.

A static line is first set up across the river. A static line is first set up across the river. A system of lines, pulleys, and carabiners are A system of lines, pulleys, and carabiners are

then set up and connected to the static line then set up and connected to the static line and boat to move it both side to side and up and boat to move it both side to side and up and down to reach the victim.and down to reach the victim.

Control of the lines are maintained by Control of the lines are maintained by rescuers on one shoreline.rescuers on one shoreline.

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High Line SystemHigh Line Systemwith tetherwith tether

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HighlineHighline

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ReviewReviewRescue SequenceRescue Sequence

1.1. Self Rescue Self Rescue

2.2. Shore BasedShore Based

3.3. Boat AssistedBoat Assisted

4.4. Boat BasedBoat Based

5.5. Go RescueGo Rescue

6.6. HeloHelo