Basic Water Safety and Rescue

A Blueprint to Surviving the Water Response.

How Many of You…….

Are A Kayaker

Are A Floater / River Runner

Have Water Rescue Training

Are A Strong Swimmer

                                                                                   

Be Afraid….. Be Very Afraid

Water and flood related incidents make up 1-2% of fire department incidents in the United States

Approximately 1% of fire service fatalities are water related.

Still Waters?Moving water is more dangerous than still water.If the water speed doubles the force increases 4 timesWater can float cars in as little as foot of water2 feet of water at 6 mph will float a passenger carEven boats, PWC’s and hovercraft can be affected and flipped by moving water.

Eddy is that you?

Eddies are caused by objects in the river or by the river bankEssentially it is a backflow that travels upstreamSeek these areas when in trouble as they are relatively calm and get you our of the main current.

                                                

Low Head Dams

Also known as drowning machinesCan be both man made and naturalHave a current that sinks boats and holds objects in a circulating currentSTAY AWAY, DON’T PLAY

Strainers

Strainers are caused by river debrisThey live up to their name, what do you use a strainer for?Once caught the water force holds a person in place. Avoid them if you can. If you can’t be careful of them and don’t fall victim.

Foot Entrapments

Foot entrapments are not a hydraulic but are worsened by hydraulic forces.Swimming properly in swiftwater will help avoid this.There are rescue techniques for those who are trapped by this.

Swiftwater Swimming

In moving water standing up can be fatal and swimming face down can cause injuriesThe answer is to swim on your back with your feet downstreamTo traverse the current put your head in the direction you want to travel

Attitude, who me?

Each of the emergency services has their own mentality and equipment.Each of these has their drawbacks.We will go over each so you are aware of them and can mitigate your own attitude.