Chapter 1
Basic swift water rescue and related
medical considerations
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Enabling Learning Objectives
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5.
Given a multiple choice question, the student will identify the
7 reasons why rescues fail according to the class materials.
Given a list of the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, the
student will list them in order of appearance according to the
class materials.
Given a multiple choice question, the student will identify the
field treatment for hypothermia and cold water near drowning
according to the class materials.
Given a fill-in the blank question, the student will list the 4
resources for locating hazards according to the class materials.
Given a fill-in the blank question, the student will list the 4
water levels at which a hazard survey should be performed
according to the class materials.
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Why Rescues?
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Popularity of river sports
Lack of response agencies training, equipment,
and swiftwater understanding
Sense of saving someone’s life
Heavy rains can lead to flooded cities, towns,
farmland. These persons may need rescuing.
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Why Rescues Fail
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Show Movie—Binghamton Fire Dept.
Popularity of river sports today, increasing every year.
Skilled vs. Unskilled
Rivers in Ohio are relatively safe except during periods
of high flow.
Drowning Season
Cold water
Rescuers usually end up in need of rescues due to poor
skills, knowledge, poor planning, improper equipment.
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FAILURE
F –Failure to understand the
nature of moving water.
A –Additional medical
problem not considered
I – Inadequate rescue skills
L – Lack of teamwork
U – Underestimating
logistics of rescue site.
R – Recover and rescue tried
without distinction.
E – Equipment not
mastered
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Rescue vs. Recovery
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Searches vs. recovery
Search Dog use in water recovery
Night searches
Point last seen
LAST—Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport
POD-Probability of Detection
Probing “obvious” locations
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Emergency Care For Victims
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Consider Local Protocol
Remember that they are hypothermic, even in
summer
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Hypothermia
Definition: Decrease in core body temperature.
Three levels of Hypothermia
1. Mild-- 95° and up , conscious, alert, vigorous shivering
2. Moderate—90-94°, diminished shivering, cannot
respond to questions.
3. Severe—86-90°, cannot respond, semi-unconscious,
may appear intoxicated dilated pupils, no cardiac or
respiratory output.
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Field Treatment of Hypothermia
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Treat for shock, cover, elevate feet, head.
Remove wet clothes- Treat gently, take off clothes,
use scissors if necessary.
Cover– use blankets, Do not rub extremities
excessively.
Move– to warm environment, do not warm to fast or
drink, warm liquid.
Can not drink caffeine, alcohol
5. Use heated O2
Transport to medical facility.
Show movie Air Florida
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Cold Water Near Drowning
Description– A cold protective response which enables a
person to survive for a prolonged period of time who
otherwise would have drowned.
Contact with the cold water produces a series of body
responses called the “mammalian dive reflex”
This reflex shuts off blood to extremities and routes the
blood to vital internal organs.
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Survival factors for cold water near drowning
victims.
1. Amount of time person is underwater: the shorter ,
the better.
2. Water temperature less than 70°: the colder, the
better.
3. Age: the younger, the better.
4. Facial immersion: the response seems to be a
reflex triggered by facial contact.
Treatment
Maintain uninterrupted and “perfect” CPR
Transport immediately to medical facility
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Help and Huddle hypothermia
protection
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Accident Scene Preplanning
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Accident Site Evaluation
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Topographic maps
Google Earth
Historical Documents
Look at locations during high, low, and flood stages
Practice of Rescue Techniques
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Practice at known problem locations
Practice with less persons, different jobs, train like it is a
rescue situation
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Hazard Identification
and
Risk Assessment
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Hazard Identification, surveys
Feasibility of conducting operations
Internal and external resources
Documentation of hazard identification
and risk assessment
Annually—update hazards and contacts.
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INTERVIEWING
WITNESSES
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Objectives for interviewing
witnesses.
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Determine what happened.
Determine nature of the incident.
Determine number of victims.
Determine location of victims: “Last-seen-point”.
Determine type of resource and amount of resources
needed.
Start the incident documentation process.
Start the “evidence” collection process.
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Do not forget to size up the scene and
make sure the scene is safe!
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Remember that a witness being
interviewed may have been involved in
the incident!
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Interview process.
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The initial interview should be rapid: Ask who was
involved or saw what happened?
Interview these people quickly:
What happened?
How many people are involved?
Where did you last see them?
Tell them not to leave! Make sure they are in a safe
location!
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Make certain they do not need medical attention!
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The initial rapid interview along with
your scene size up should allow you
to determine:
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Nature of incident.
Type of team needed for response.
Amount of resources needed.
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Once ICS has been established
and the response plan implemented:
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Assign someone to interview the witnesses.
The person assigned should have training and
experience in interview and interrogation skills
and knowledge of witness and survivor
psychology.
A law enforcement resource may be beneficial
for this task.
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Remember:
If witnesses being interviewed were
involved in the incident – they may
withhold information that may
incriminate themselves or others!!
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Interview steps:
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Separate witnesses.
If witnesses are allowed to remain together,
each witness may “pollute” the other witnesses
memory of the event.
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Interview steps:
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Care for their physical and emotional needs:
The victim may be a friend or family member.
They may have never seen anything like
this before.
They may be cold and wet.
They may feel like they should have done something.
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Interview process:
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Make sure they do not leave!
Make sure they do not attempt a rescue on their
own.
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Interview process:
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Gather the witnesses information:
Name.
Address. (Local and Permanent)
Date of birth.
Social security number.
Home phone and cell numbers.
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Remember:
Many of the water locations are designed for
recreation use.
Witnesses may be from out of the area.
Make sure you ask where they can be currently
contacted and when they intend to return home!
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Interviewing process:
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Take witnesses back to where they were when
the event occurred.
Use reference points to help pin point locations.
The use of reference points is critical in
determining last seen points.
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Interview process:
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By using reference points we can “triangulate”
last seen points.
Do not forget to record and label points of
reference.
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Interview process:
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Before and during the interview process look for
physical evidence.
For physical evidence that is floating, make sure
you document and record location, wind
direction, and time of discovery.
Make sure you use proper evidence collection
and documentation procedures.
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Interview process:
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Make sure all points of reference and physical
evidence are recorded on a scene sketch.
Use audio and video devices to help capture
verbal statements.
Once a verbal statement is taken, have the
witness complete a written statement.
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Remember:
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Not only are we interviewing witness to help
locate the victim – every thing we record and
collect may become evidence for a criminal or
civil case.
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Interview follow-up.
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Make sure witness have your contact
information.
Encourage them to contact you if they
remember more information.
Do not hesitate to re-interview them to clarify
and gain additional information.
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Interview follow-up
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Follow up with witnesses.
Let them know the outcome of the event.
Let them know that the information they
provided was useful in your efforts to help the
victims.
When appropriate, publicly recognize witnesses
for their help.
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