SWIFTWATER RESCUE TACTICS
PART 2: HIGH-RISK OPTIONS
BY GARY E. SEIDEL
In Part 1, we covered the low-risk rescue options most often used by first responders on the scene of a swiftwater rescue incident. This article presents the higher-risk options that must be used only by trained swiftwater rescue technicians and after lower-risk rescue options have proven unsuccessful.
RESCUE OPTIONS
Row. This option involves using a river rescue board, an inflatable rescue boat (IRB), and a spider boat or cataraft.
The river rescue board is a foam-type flotation device that consists of 150 to 200 pounds of flotation (ethafoam). It is approximately two feet wide, four feet long, and four inches thick and has four secured handles. The rescuer can use it to go in after the victim, or two or all four of its handles can be tethered. Rescuers, who would be on land, then can move it upstream, downstream, and side to side. Using the river rescue board to go in after the victim offers the rescuer a flotation device that will help keep him on top of the water, a device with which to reach the victim rapidly, a means for safely securing the victim, and the ability to move to the desired river bank to complete the rescue. Another option is to place a rescuer on the river rescue board while using a two- or four-point tether.
Usually rigid hulled boats or inflatable chambered boats, the IRBs commonly used for swiftwater rescues are available in various lengths, widths, and types to meet specific rescue needs. They can be paddled, rowed, or operated by motor, according to rescue needs. The IRB with oars or a motor provides the versatility that allows the rescuer to get to the victim rapidly, stay on the surface of the water, secure the victim inside the boat, and return to a safe rescue point to complete the rescue. However, the most commonly used methods of using boats in situations involving flood-control channels are the two- and four-point tethered rope systems.
Two- and four-point tethered rope systems. These methods are easy to set up, but they work in fewer circumstances and can be difficult to manage. The equipment needed is an IRB and two to four ropes at least twice the width of the river/channel at the rescue site. At least four rescuers are needed for the two-point system and six rescuers for the four-point system. One resuer leads/coordinates the evolution, one rescuer manages each line (two rescuers manage each line if only two lines are used), and one rescuer is in the boat.
The two- and four-point tethered rope systems work well in slow-moving stretches of the river that are not more than 200 feet wide. They also work best when the banks are reasonably clear of obstructions so that rescuers can maneuver the boat into position. These systems can be used in rivers flowing about 18 mph, depending on the type of anchor system used. They do not work well when numerous obstacles are along the bank or in the river.
The evolution for a two-point system: First, a line (managed by a rescuer up on the bank) is stretched across the river. Once the line is across the river, that line is attached to one side of the boat/board. Rescuers on the other bank attach a line to the opposite side of the boat/board. The rescue system is ready for maneuvering to the desired rescue position.
The evolution for a four-point system: Attach two additional lines to the rear of the boat/board. One rescuer will manage the third line. The boat/board then can be pulled over to the other bank, where the fourth line can be established. The boat/board now is ready to be maneuvered to the desired rescue position. The boat/board can be moved upstream, downstream, or from bank to bank. A rescuer also can be put inside the boat or on the board to assist victims coming downstream. The four-point rescue system is an excellent choice for low-head dam rescues.
Precautions. Some precautions must be taken when using a boat/board. Never let the boat/board get sideways: It can take on water and capsize; the additional force of the water also may make it difficult or impossible for rescuers to hold on to the rescue lines. In addition, do not attempt to use this two-point tethered rescue system in a bend or turn in the river, for the same reasons.
Spider boats or catarafts are pontoon, rowable-type rescue boats that can be used to bridge some obstacles. They have proven to be very versatile when using the four-point tethered rope system in a low-head dam rescue.
The highline tyrolean with a boat on tether allows rescuers to manage a technical system in greater velocities with more control and less physical exertion. Technical equipment, trained rescuers, and considerable time are needed to set up this system, which has been used successfully in rescuing victims from vehicles, removing stranded victims from strainers, conducting low-head dam rescues, as well as in numerous other operations.
The system requires three ropes: one rope serves as the highline, a second moves the system from side to side and allows the boat to go upstream or downstream, and the third controls the other bank for side-to-side movement.
Go and tow. Contact rescues usually become necessary when the victim–usually unable to assist because he is in a state of panic, injured, or unconscious–is past all shore-based, power watercraft, and helicopter attempts. This is called the “go” portion of the rescue option. The “tow” portion is the point at which actual contact with the victim is made.
When using the contact rescue, all precautions are necessary: Rescuers must always wear a personal flotation device; thermal protection; a lightweight helmet; and shoes, swim fins, or neoprene booties with hard soles.
The victim is initially approached from the upstream vantage point. The rescuer actually may have to chase the victim downstream by rolling over and aggressively swimming headfirst after the victim. Once the rescuer approaches the victim, the rescuer assumes the “reverse and ready” position–the defensive swimming position: on the back, facing downstream, feet in front. In this position, the rescuer is upstream of the victim and in position to protect himself in case the victim panics. Note that most victims don`t have the thermal and flotation protection the rescuer has. The rescuer, therefore, has the advantage in controlling the victim and must be prepared for the victim`s unexpected behavior.
If the rescuer doesn`t have to make contact with the victim and the victim can swim, the rescuer can stay a few feet away from the victim and talk the victim into following and listening to directions. The rescuer should encourage and reassure the victim while maneuvering him to the desired bank for extraction.
If the rescuer must contact the victim, an adjunct rescue device, such as a rescue board, lifeguard rescue can/tube, or some other type of flotation should be used. In this way, the victim will have something other than the rescuer to hang on to.
Once the rescuer makes contact with the victim, he must get the victim in the “tow” position–on his back with his feet downstream. The rescuer will be in the same position, except that he will be upstream of the victim and in an excellent position to control and manage the victim.
The next challenge is for the rescuer and victim to get to shore. One method for doing this is the “ferry-angling” concept, in which the rescuer holds onto the victim`s shoulder that is opposite the bank for which they are headed. This now places the rescuer in a 45-degree angle with his head pointing toward the bank he`s moving toward. Kicking will help the rescuer reach the bank, where he can complete the rescue.
Helicopter. Helicopter rescues in swiftwater incidents necessitate a well-trained pilot and helitac crew. This rescue option is considered a last resort unless a professional, trained air operations unit is part of the rescue organization/department, in which case the helicopter may be used at any time after the reach and throw methods have failed. In this rescue option, dangers presented by power lines, channel hazards, bridges, etc. must be evaluated. The most important factors involved in this rescue approach are the training and judgment of the pilot, crew, and swiftwater rescue team. Clear communications and backup rescue options must be established in case trouble occurs.
One rescue option used in cases in which a conscious victim is floating in the river/channel or a stationary victim can be picked off involves the use of a seat device, basket, or ring buoy. The item is lowered to the victim, who then assists himself into the seat, basket, or buoy. The victim then is moved over to a bank, where the rescue can be completed. If lifting of the victim is necessary, then the victim is lifted only as high as is necessary to safely place him on land. The reason for this is to reduce injury should the victim fall out of the rescue device.
The tethered rescue pick-off involves lowering a helitac rescuer down to the victim with a hoist or short haul line. The helicopter pilot positions the helicopter above the victim. The helitac rescuer is lowered to the victim and secures the victim to the haul line via a chest strap. Again, the pilot will lift the helitac rescuer and victim only as high as necessary to reach land. (This option can be used to recover a victim in moving water as well. The same operational procedures apply.)
This last option is used when a swiftwater rescue technician is in the water. Any time a rescuer enters the water, he should don a seat harness so that he can be removed from the water via the helicopter. In this option, a hoist cable or haul line is lowered to the rescuer, who secures the cable to the seat harness. The victim is secured to the rescuer via a chest strap. Now, the rescuer and victim can be safely removed from the water and lowered on land.
Personal watercraft. Hovercraft or air boats are highly maneuverable in some river rescue situations. Agencies that have used them point out that a high degree of skill is needed to use them in swiftwater rescues. Therefore, rescuers must be given specialized training before they use them for rescue operations.
Personal watercraft–small, agile boats powered by an inboard two-cycle engine with jet propulsion–have proven to be very versatile for swiftwater rescue incidents. During the rescue, the operator and rescuer can concentrate on the victim and not have to worry about a propeller. Personal watercraft are totally self-contained and very maneuverable but require a place to launch and a minimum of two feet of water in which to operate. They draft very little water, which makes them ideal for river/ flood-control channels.
Personal watercaft give the operator and rescuer the ability to select the optimum rescue site regardless of shore access and also allows the operator and rescuer to equalize the speed of the rescue craft with that of the victim–reducing the chance for traumatic impact during the rescue. They also assist in reducing the victim`s exposure time in the river/channel. Once the victim is rescued, the operator can select the best area for bringing the victim to shore.
One of the most common options when using personal watercraft is the two-person rescue method. One rescuer operates the powercraft while the second rescuer serves as the “rescuer.” The powercraft has a specially designed little basket or rescue board attached to the rear. The rescuer can ride in the litter basket or on the rescue board, grab the victim, and safely place him in the litter basket/on the rescue board. The rescuer then straddles the victim while the operator looks for a place to complete the rescue. Note: When using power watercraft, two boats should be used for each rescue in case one craft encounters problems or is unable to retrieve the victim.
This rescue option also necessitates specialized training before use in a rescue. Training covers areas such as the responsibilities of personnel, emergency operating guidelines, launching procedures, maintenance procedures, and post-rescue operation procedures.
DETERMINING THE RESCUE METHOD
For our purposes, there are only two rescue categories: land-based rescues (talk, flotation, reach, throw) and in-water rescues (row, go, tow, helicopter, watercraft).
To determine which rescue method to use, first consider the following information:
Victim(s) status: This important factor will provide information on whether the victim is conscious or unconscious.
Geographical considerations: channel velocity, channel size, type of channel, vertical drops, low-head dams, obstacles/hazards, access to channel, and rescue points.
Rescuer considerations: Number of rescuers on scene, training level and qualifications of rescuers, equipment on scene, time factor in setting up rescue options, rescue option limitations or restrictions, and water/ visibility restrictions.
As you arrive on-scene, ready your company for a low-risk, land-based rescue option. After you have been provided with accurate information on the victim(s)` status and time element, and after reviewing your prewater plans, you can establish additional rescue options.
There is no one, absolute way to perform any type of rescue. This two-part series has exposed you to a variety of ways for handling swiftwater rescue incidents. Keep in mind, however, that you need to ensure that the lowest-risk rescue options are used first while setting up the higher-risk rescue options as the next alternatives.
To successfully complete a swiftwater rescue, first locate the victim, assess the rescue options available, reach the victim, and rescue the victim. Successful rescues are a culmination of rescuers working together as a team. To maintain an efficient and effective team for swiftwater rescues, keep in mind that these types of rescues require a mixture of training, practice, experience, and judgment. These articles have only touched on the training elements. To be proficient in swiftwater rescues, skills must be continually practiced. n
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An untethered rescue board acts as a flotation device for the rescuer.
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(Top) The four-point boat tether is used to rescue a victim on a strainer. (Bottom) In-water rescues become necessary when all other rescue options have been exhausted. Go and tow rescue options are risky. Statistics show that at least one-third of the 7,000 to 9,000 people who drown each year do so while attempting a rescue.
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(Left) A helicopter rescue of a conscious victim using the Res-Q-Ring®. (Bottom left) Rescuer, wearing a harness, attaches the victim to himself and then to the helicopter hoist cable for a safe extraction from the water. (Bottom center) Rescuer secures the victim with a live bait strap. (Bottom right) Rescuer attaches hook from his harness to the hoist cable; rescuer and victim now can be brought to shore.
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Personal watercraft have proven to be versatile tools in the swiftwater rescue arena.
SWIFTWATER RESCUE OPTION GUIDE
ARRIVAL OF FIRST COMPANY
COMMANDING OFFICER
Gathers appropriate data Directs company to set up for low-
risk rescue option:
Orders additional resources flotation
reach options
Deploys resources throw options
Communicates information to all
companies assigned
Determines victim`s mental status and sets rescue parameters
Conscious Victim Unconscious Victim
Sufficient time for Insufficient time for rescue: less than three minutes rescue:
greater than Low-risk options
three minutes Provide flotation
Notify downstream companies
Low-risk options Set up rescue curtain
Higher-risk options Use personal watercraft
Personal watercraft Use helicopter
Helicopter Contact rescue
GARY E. SEIDEL is a 16-year veteran and battalion chief of the Los Angeles City (CA) Fire Department. A swiftwater rescue master instructor/trainer, he developed the department`s swiftwater rescue program. Seidel is an adjunct instructor at the National Fire Academy and a member of the Los Angeles Interagency Swift Water Rescue Committee and the Mayor`s Task Force on Flood and River Rescue Incidents. He has an associate`s degree in fire science and a bachelor`s degree in environmental biology and lectures extensively on swiftwater rescue.
