Scope

The module introduces water rescue equipment including its safe and effective use to selected search and rescue personnel who respond to water and flood incidents.

It progressively develops the student to be confident in and around water. As well as learning how to read the water, the student will practice non-buoyant rescues including wading rescues and self-rescue techniques appropriate to the risk, bank-based rescues,
and shallow water crossings.

The session will also provide an awareness of unstable surface hazards such as mud and ice which may also be encountered at water and flood incidents.

Aim

To train responders to identify their limitations and safely and effectively use appropriate water rescue equipment, whilst operating near or in moving water appropriate to the limits of a non-buoyant rescuer. Delivered in a minimum of fourteen hours over a minimum of two days.

Pre-requisites

This module can be delivered as a standalone course.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate water rescue scene management and dynamic assessment of risk: understand the limitations of the water rescue wading responder capability; rescue team organisation; communication systems including hand, audible and radio; hazard recognition and preplanning; risk and incident zones; incident management structure; team roles and responsibilities.
  • Identify and apply the role of the Water and Flood First Responder within the incident management structure: incident management structure; team health, safety and welfare.
  • Apply a working knowledge of hydrology and associated hazards: recognition of water features and their impact.
  • Have an understanding of search procedures in the water environment: when and how to search; types of search, deployment of teams; sectors, point last seen and areas of possible detection.
  • Identify and use appropriate PPE: types of PPE; donning and doffing; care maintenance and inspection; record keeping.
  • Demonstrate self-rescue from water.
  • Understand and apply relevant rescue techniques: talk, reach, throw; first responders to only demonstrate talk, reach, throw.
  • Have a working knowledge of specialist rescue equipment within team: inflatable adjuncts.
  • Demonstrate techniques for movement in shallow water: supported crossing (poles/tethers); 1-2-3 person teams; wedge and line
    astern; casualty crossing.
  • Demonstrate casualty management issues specific to the water environment: medical problems associated with water; in-water spinal care considerations; managing the non-compliant casualty.
  • Identify and explain an understanding of the hazards and implications associated with: entrapment – supporting tag lines, use of cinches.
    • Mud and ice – characteristics, medical issues, extrication techniques, contamination
    • Locks and sluices – characteristics, design/hydrology, specific rescue techniques
    • Vehicles and objects in water – behaviour, hydrology, access and stabilisation techniques with flood rescue equipment and safety considerations.
    • Animals – hazards and safety protocols
  • Identify and explain the additional hazards and difficulties associated with working in darkness and reduced visibility and application of suitable control measures: equipment issues; lighting; additional marking requirements; audible signals.
  • Raft/sled: use of sled as an evacuation device during wading operations, not used as a platform for water and flood first responders to work from or on as a means of movement.
  • Search: awareness of search techniques and capabilities.
  • Flood: awareness of flooding and associated hazards; pollution; location and incident specific hazards; topography