Water rescue is any incident that involves the removal of victims from any body of water other than a swimming pool. Floods are the most common of all natural disasters and gener- ally cause greater mortality than any other natural hazard. Show Hazards Associated with Water Rescue
Safety of a Rescuer – “Throw, Don’t Go”Jumping in the water to rescue a victim is the last resort. Avoid getting into a dangerous situation. Your safety is priority. Water Rescue PPEWet suits/dry suits/exposure suits Thermal protection PFDs include a whistle, knife, strobe light, or light stick worn by all personnel in or near water or on a boat Lifelines, helmet, gloves Rescue Plan of Action & MethodsFirst unit on scene sizes up the situation and determines the number and condition of patients. If rescue is deemed necessary, consider the need for additional personnel and equipment. Secure the immediate area to prevent an increase of victims. Assess hazards, location, and number of victims. Before com- mencing extraction, yell clear and simple instructions to the victim. Ensure firm footing and remember the victim is in duress and may pull rescuers into the water. REACHStep 1: Reach with an outstretched arm, leg, or other tool (long stick/scarf/clothes) from a crouched or lying position.
WADEStep 2: Test the depth with a long stick before wading in and then use the stick to reach out. Hold on to someone else or the bank. THROWStep 3: Throw rope bags, life rings, and floats - anything that will float (this is only effective when the subject is cooperative) ROWStep 4: Use a boat if you can use it safely. Do not try to pull the person on board in case they panic and capsize the boat. Continuously monitor situations that could adversely affect the rescue, such as a rise in water, top loads, suspended loads, or shifting of rescue vehicle. Once the victim has been removed to a safe area, medical personnel should be on scene to evaluate and transport to the hospital if necessary. Safe Swimming PositionIf you get swept away, assume the safe swimming position and navigate with ferry angle. (Image)
Awareness Level Personnel (Resident) may:
Sectorization of Rescue OperationUpstream group: Responsible to watch for and advise of any obstacles and hazards that may hinder the rescue operation. Downstream group: Prepare to rescue victims and rescu- ers that may be swept downstream. All members in this group should have a throw rope bag in hand and deploy on both sides to the bank. River right/left group: Responsible for rigging the opposite end of a rope rescue system. Rescue group: Responsible for developing an action with command. Once action plan has been developed, rescue group will execute plan in the safest possible manner. Rescue CommunicationsWhistle Commands
Hand Signals
Technique for Mechanical AdvantageVector pull: By attaching one end of the rope to an anchor and the other to the pinned object, the rope can then be pulled near the mid-point in a sideways direction to exert a much great- er force on the pinned object. Z drag/pulley system: Theoretical mechanical advantage of 3, giving a 3:1 haul ratio. Requires excess gear, time, and only pulls the pinned object 1 foot for every 3 feet pulled by the user. Prusik 1 provides the mechanical advantage. Prusik 2 can be used to hold the position of the rope. Prusik knot slides easily along a tight rope but jams solidly upon loading. DrowningDrowning is a process resulting in primary respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in a liquid medium. The distinction between salt water and fresh water drowning is no lon- ger important in non-fatal drowning. Both result in hypoxia and pulmonary edema. Panic causes loss of normal breathing pattern and reflex inspiratory efforts, followed by aspiration and reflex laryngospasm, hypoxemia, end organ damage, and death. ManagementVentilation is priority, unlike in cardiac arrest. If the patient does not respond to 2 rescue breaths that make the chest rise, the rescuer should immediately begin performing high-quality chest compressions. CPR, including the application of an au- tomated external defibrillator, is then performed according to standard guidelines. Cervical spine immobilization is not recom- mended unless there are clinical signs of injury or concerning mechanism, as it can interfere with essential airway manage- ment. Drowning patients can present with life-threatening arrhyth- mias. Treat according to ACLS protocols. Assess pulse for at least 1 minute before initiating chest compressions, as pulses may be weak in a hypothermic patient. Heimlich maneuver and postural drainage is no longer recommended. HypothermiaHypothermia is a core temperature less than 35 Celsius. Water does not have to be ice-cold for hypothermia or other cold-relat- ed injuries. Most water is well below human core body tempera- ture. Prolonged exposure to water may result in hypothermia. Mild hypothermia: Core temperature 32-35º C (90-95º F); result is tachypnea, tachycardia, initial hyperventilation, ataxia, dysarthria, impaired judgment, shivering, and cold diuresis. Moderate hypothermia: Core temperature 28-32º C (82-90º F); proportionate reductions in pulse rate and cardiac output, hypoventilation, central nervous system depression, hyporeflexia, decreased renal blood flow, and loss of shivering. Paradoxical undressing may be observed. Atrial fibrillation, junctional brady- cardia, and other arrhythmias can occur. Severe hypothermia: Core temperature < 28º C (82º F); pul- monary edema, oliguria, areflexia, coma, hypotension, bradycar- dia, ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation, or asystole occur. References
Every year, approximately five people lose their lives while attempting to rescue someone in trouble. While it may seem counterintuitive, your own personal safety should always be the number 1 priority in any rescue situation. Self-preservation is paramount! People in difficulty in the water are likely to be in a state of panic, fearing for their lives, and this makes the situation highly dangerous. A panicked, drowning person will reach out and, if given the opportunity, climb all over you in their attempt to stay afloat. Once this happens it is very difficult to break free, even for strong swimmers or those skilled in aquatic rescue techniques. There is a real risk of both of you drowning. Royal Life Saving encourages people who find themselves in a rescue situation to follow the 4 As of rescue:
Once a potential rescuer has recognised the situation and decided they need to act (Awareness) it is the Assessment and Action steps that become so important in ensuring your own safety while executing a successful rescue. The rescuer needs to look at the environment and consider why the person is in trouble. Every rescue situation is unique but where possible they should consider water depth, temperature, wind, waves, currents, visibility, time of day and any other potential hazards in, on or under the water. They should also consider the degree of urgency required (conscious or unconscious person), the swimming ability of the drowning person, the distance to safety, and entry and landing places. Finally, but equally important, they need to consider their own ability (knowledge, skills, fitness, judgement) with regard to the above factors. When reflecting on their own ability, they should also consider what other help may be available; for example, from bystanders and what abilities they may have. Essentially, the rescuer needs to gather as much information as possible in an appropriate timeframe, and then ask themselves one fundamental question: Can I safely perform this rescue? If the answer is ‘yes’, then a plan of Action is required. It is here that the rescuer should minimise danger to themselves by carrying out the safest form of rescue possible. Royal Life Saving teaches different types of rescue, listed here with most safe first and the least safe last:
The rescuer should consider:
Learn more about water safety, the principles of rescue and the various rescue and aftercare techniques by taking a Royal Life Saving course such as the Bronze Medallion, Grey Medallion or Pool Lifeguard. |