Ice RescueOrientation & Annual Refresher Training

Motivation

If we don’t intervene successfully, survival is unlikely.

“The victim has demonstrated the ice is dangerous’”

Are you ready to safely perform an Ice Rescue?

Ice Rescue Video

NPFA 1670 – Ice RescueOperations level – Rescuers who will be shore-based

• Recognize the unique hazards associated with ice rescue operations.• Identify water and ice characteristics.• Operate surface support equipment used in cold water or ice rescue operations.• Procure the necessary equipment to perform ice rescue operations.• Recognize and deal with a victim’s hypothermia.

Technician level – Rescuers who will enter the water • Self-rescue unique to ice rescue.• The reach, throw, row, and go rescue technique unique to ice rescue.• The use of watercraft, specialty craft, and specialty equipment unique

to ice rescue.

Overview Fundamentals of Ice

Equipment used in Ice Rescue

Victim Rescue Operations

Medical Considerations

Practical Exercises

Working Fire Video

Volume 04-6

Ice Rescue - Part 1

17 minutes

Fundamentals of Ice

Frazil Ice – is the first type of ice to form.It is composed of disk-shaped crystals

suspended in the water. The crystals forma thin, oily, or opaque-looking film thatfloats to the surface. As the temperaturedrops, crystals clump together to form a

solid sheet of ice.

Fundamentals of Ice

Clear Ice – is new ice formed during along hard freeze. It can be blue, green, or black, due to the color of the water

seen through the ice. This is the strongest ice formed.

Fundamentals of Ice

Candled Ice - is a milky, whitish gray ice that indicates deteriorated

clear ice. The structure breaks down along its crystalline borders as it melts. Although this ice can still be thick, it is also very weak.

Fundamentals of Ice Influencing factors:

Freezing and Thawing Cycle Formed in static or dynamic waterway (pond or river) Ice is 15% weaker if in a current Snow on top of ice is an insulator, breaks down ice faster Ice melts around shore first because the land mass is an

insulator

Fundamentals of Ice Ice Strength:

2” Thick - One person can walk on 4” Thick - Group of people can walk on 5” Thick - Supports a snowmobile 8-12” Thick - Supports a car

Ice does not form or maintain uniform thickness.

DO NOT JUDGE ICE SAFETY ON THICKNESS ALONE!

Equipment Water Rescue Equipment

Helmets, Throw bags

Ice Rescue Suit Equipped with a built-in harness A highly buoyant (USCG Type 5), completely

waterproof body enclosure made of 100% closed-cell neoprene.

Pike pole, Trash hook, Ladder, Ice awls, Ropes

Size – Up ConsiderationsEnvironmentWhat are the weather conditions?What type(s) of ice are present?Are there hydraulics or other water hazards?What will we do to mitigate the hazards?What is a safe distance to keep people back from the area?

PatientWhat is the nature of the accident?Location of the patient – distance from shore?How many people are involved? Injuries? Is this a rescue of a live person or a recovery of a body?

Size – Up Considerations

EquipmentWhat equipment will be required to mitigate the incident?Where is this equipment stored?

PersonnelWhat special skills are required for the incident?Who are the personnel with these skills?

What considerations would you note during your size up of this incident?

Weather – snowing

Distance from shore / location of patient

Ice conditions / open water

Vehicle access (distance to roadways)

Shoreline / footing

Access

Condition of patient / are they able to help themselves?

Number of patients / witnesses

What type of equipment is needed?What skilled personnel are needed?

Rescue Operations First Due

Size-up Location and access information for other responding units Question Witnesses

Number of patients Last point scene

Ice construction and strength Water dynamics Assess need for additional equipment and resources

Size-up Report to Responding Companies

Rescue Operations First Due

Action Plan Risk Benefit Analysis = Operational Mode

Rescue Recovery

General objectives Establish hazard zone and remove untrained rescuers Establish cold zone (direct LPD to set security lines) Find, rescue and transport victims

Make Assignments

Rescue Sequence Talk Attempt to calm the patient, describe to them what it is that you want them to do

(stay together, stop moving around, hang on to the ice, look at you, swim towards shore)

Reach Working from shore, the responder can use anything that is available to reach out to

the patient: a branch, pike-pole, ladder, inflatable hose, etc. These options are relatively low risk because the rescuer stays within the safety of

shore.Throw Throwing a rope out to the patient is also relatively safe for the rescuer, because the

responder stays on shore.Row Using boats or other similar equipment, rescuers advance onto the ice or water to

get closer to the patient.Go Any rescue where the responder gets wet, is considered a Go Rescue and is the

highest risk option. Go rescues should be carried out after all other options have been considered ineffective / unsuccessful.

Firefighter Safety

“Row” and “Go” techniques are carried out by technician level personnel. Awareness level responders are only involved with rescue to the extent that they assist with on-shore activities. An awareness level responder should NEVER enter the water or venture onto the ice.

Multiple Victims are Common

Working Fire Video

Volume 04-7

Ice Rescue – Part 2

20 minutes

Only trained rescuers should be within15 feet of the water

Self – Rescue with Ice Awls

Go – Tethered Rescue

Don Ice Rescue Suit

Shore team dons PFD’s and appropriate PPE (No Turnouts) Rescuer clips into rope with ice awls and a pike pole

Shore teams anchor rope on shore

Rescuer advances onto ice and spreads weight evenly across the surface by staying low with knees bent

Rescuer approaches the victim from the side or behind. Do not place weight onto the ice shelf in front of the victim

Rescuer slides into the ice hole behind the victim

Rescuer places carabineer (first knot) around the victim and back onto rope (creates a cinch)

Rescuer signals shore crew ‘OK’ to pull

As shore crew pulls, the Rescuer assists the victim out of the holeShore crew retrieves Victim and Rescuer and provides care

Cutting Ice

Slide the cut ice under the ice shelf

Medical ConsiderationsEvaluate the victim’s ability to respond

Observing and testing the victim's ability to respond will help determine the

method or technique of rescue and the necessity of medical treatment

following the rescue. The rescuer should visibly and verbally evaluate the

victim‘s responses. Talk to the victim—can he speak clearly? Are his hands

holding onto the sheet of ice nearby, or has he lost all movement? The

rescuer should stay acutely aware of the victim's ability to respond, note

any changes in the status of those responses, and be ready to change the

operational plan appropriately. A rescuer should establish contact with the

victim, maintaining constant verbal contact throughout the rescue. By

maintaining this contact, the rescuer can aid the victim in encouragement,

as well as assessing the victim's ability to aid in his own rescue.

Medical ConsiderationsHypothermia

Hypothermia is a decrease in the core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.

Watch for the “Umbels” - stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness

If shivering can be stopped voluntarily = mild hypothermia

Ask the person a question that requires higher reasoning in the brain (count backwards from 100 by 9’s). If the person is hypothermic, they won’t be able to do it.

If shivering cannot be stopped voluntarily = moderate – severe hypothermia

If you can’t get a radial pulse at the wrist it indicates a core temp below 91-86 degrees

Medical ConsiderationsHypothermia

Treatment Remove the patient from the cold environment. Avoid further heat loss by removing wet clothing, replacing with dry

blankets and insulating material. Take special attention to cover the patient’s head.

PASSIVELY re-warm the patient within a warm environment. If available administer warmed oxygen (wrap oxygen hose around a

heat pack). IV fluids should be kept warm prior to administration (they should

not be above 98 degrees).

Review Questions What is the strongest type of ice? How many inches of ice will support a group of people? What equipment is needed to perform an ice rescue? Must a PFD be worn with an ice suit? What are the factors to consider during an ice rescue? What is the rescue sequence for an ice rescue? How should the rescuer approach the patient in the water? What is hypothermia? How is a patient rewarmed when pulled from the ice? What is the “umbels”?

Practical Exercises

Don ice rescue suit

Throw rope bags

Cut the ice with an axe

Cut the ice with a chain saw

Self-rescue without ice awls

Self-rescue with ice awls

Practical Exercises

Go – Tethered RescueTie rescue rope with carabinerApproach victim with a pike pole (8 foot minimum)Speak to victim during approach Rescue victim

Practical ExercisesSubmerged Victim Rescue

Probe water with a pike pole to locate victimEnter water with pike pole to locate victimSecure victim with rescue ropeRemove victim from the water

Are You Ready?