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Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program

NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION. Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program. Course Outline. Introduction Ice Rescue Process Ice Formation Hypothermia Team Strategies & Equipment Ice Rescue Equipment Underwater Recovery Self rescue One Rescue-Carabineer

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Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program

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  1. NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION Cold Water / Ice Rescue Training Program

  2. Course Outline Introduction Ice Rescue Process Ice Formation Hypothermia Team Strategies & Equipment Ice Rescue Equipment Underwater Recovery Self rescue One Rescue-Carabineer Rescue with rescue poles Exam

  3. Introduction There are over 6700 lakes and more than 8000 kilometers of coastline in Nova Scotia as well as an abundance of ponds,rivers, and other waterways. The potential for individuals to come in contact with waters which become ice covered during the winter months is particularly high.

  4. 1984 - 1995 Fatalities in Nova Scotia.Office of the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner • 12/84 F-6 First Lake Sackville • 12/84 M-6 First Lake Sackville • 12/84 M-12 Big Pond • 02/86 M-67 Liverpool • 12/86 M-38 Pugwash • 12/88 M-51 Lunenburg Co. • 01/90 M-30 Seal Cove • 01/90 M-47 Seal Cove • 03/91 M-22 Glace Bay

  5. 1984 - 1995 Fatalities in Nova Scotia.Office of the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner • 12/91 M-10 Timberlea • 01/93 M-15 Cole Harbor • 05/93 M-04 Argyle Head • 05/93 M-79 Ladle Lake • 11/94 M-49 Lizard lake • 01/95 M-32 Jim Horne Lake • 02/95 M-22 West River • 02/95 M-72 Lake Charlotte • 01/97 M-46 Nine Mile River

  6. Introduction • The knowledge and skills achieved through this ice rescue program require regular review and practice. • It is strongly recommended to review and practice your skills before the start of the ice rescue season.

  7. Introduction (Cont’d ) There are seven principles which must be well understood to ensure that rescue attempts do not spell FAILURE!!!!!

  8. Failure Failure to understand ice characteristics.

  9. Failure Additional medical considerations due to cold water.

  10. Failure Inadequate training in rescue techniques.

  11. Failure Lack of team work.

  12. Failure Underestimating the logistics involved.

  13. Failure Rescue and recovery approached without distinction.

  14. Failure Equipment not mastered.

  15. Basic Ice Rescue Training Ice Rescue Process

  16. Ice Rescue Principles Emergency services who train their members can minimize the risk and create more positive benefits for their agency such as: • Increased safety for rescuers. • Greater chance of successful rescue. • Better public relations within their community. • Decreased liability.

  17. Ice Rescue Principles A good knowledge and understanding of the conditions specific to ice rescue make the critical difference in a rescue attempt. Trained rescuers can save more victims in a manner that reduces the risk of them becoming a victim themselves.

  18. Ice Rescue Process Successful ice rescues are based on a recognized logical process inherent to any rescue operation. There are five basic steps.

  19. Ice Rescue Process Steps • Evaluate scene conditions. • Evaluate victim’s condition. • Assess personnel and equipment. • Develop an operational plan. • Continual evaluation of the rescue process.

  20. Evaluate Scene Conditions (Step 1) Proper scene evaluation is critical to any rescue operation. “SIZE UP” begins the moment you hear the crack or splash and a team member is in.

  21. Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsEnvironmental Conditions Temperature, wind, rain and ice conditions can influence operational decisions during a rescue. Knowledge of ice conditions and strength can help the rescuers choose the safest plan for rescue.

  22. Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsLocation and Condition of Victim The victim’s location is essential to accessing the victim as well as determining their condition. When a victim is within sight of shore the rescue team can determine, by observation, the stage of hypothermia. This can help you choose the appropriate equipment and resources to do the rescue.

  23. Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsLocation and Condition of Victim A victim who has slipped beneath the ice or water creates a more difficult situation. The point on the ice or in the water where the victim was last seen (Last Seen Point) becomes crucial and must be preserved once it has been determined. This information is crucial for the R.C.M.P dive team, for them to deploy their team effectively.

  24. Step 1 - Evaluate Scene ConditionsContact With Bystanders or Witnesses Ask the following questions: • How long victim has been in the water? • What were the circumstances of the accident? • What was the last seen point?

  25. Evaluation of Victim’s Condition(STEP 2) Many rescue techniques rely on the victim’s ability to grasp and hold onto an object with their hands. The rescuer’s ability to determine if the victim can aid in the rescue will help dictate which rescue technique will be used.

  26. Assess Personnel and Equipment(Step 3) A well trained team will be able to operate much more efficiently, using techniques that are the safest and most current for the rescue at hand.

  27. Assess Personnel and Equipment (Step 3) Equipment must be evaluated in terms of safety and availability. Never count on just one piece of equipment being the perfect tool. Try to ensure that there is an assortment of equipment at the scene.

  28. Operational Plan Development(Step 4) Rescuers must utilize the best techniques based on the situation at hand. To accomplish this they must have an operational plan. The best plans are simple and flexible. Always have plan “B” ready just in case the original plan does not accomplish the goal.

  29. Operational Plan Development(Step 4) While making the assessments which leads to an operational plan, the incident commander must conduct a risk/benefit analysis. This is a “must do” for every rescue operation.

  30. Never risk the life of a rescuer to try to save that which cannot be saved!

  31. Continual Evaluation of the Rescue Process (Step 5) Conditions during a rescue never remain static. They can change at any moment. Constantly check what’s happening against your goal. The incident commander and team members must be able to adapt to any changes that occur.

  32. REMEMBER!!!! Ultimately each rescuer is responsible for their own safety and have the right to say “NO GO”

  33. Basic Ice Rescue Training Ice Formation

  34. Ice Formation Most people have little knowledgeof ice formation. As a result, we may be called upon to perform an Ice Rescue. Ice formation information will help us to decide on safest techniques to use to conduct a safe and successful rescue.

  35. What happens as water temperature drops? Vertical circulation continues until water is isothermalat 4 degrees Celsius. As water drops below 4 degrees it loses density and remains at the surface. Ice expands 9%when freezing and becomes less dense than the water below it. As ice forms, athermoclinedevelops right below it (0 to 4 degrees).

  36. As Ice Forms... Depth of water and the weather conditions determine depth of thermocline. The water below the thermocline remains isothermal. (same temperature throughout)

  37. Vertical Circulation

  38. Thermocline

  39. Types of Ice Fresh water ice is all the same...isn’t it? No, there are different types of ice formations.

  40. Frazil Ice Frazil Ice is the first ice formed. This looks like disk shaped ice crystals that form a thin film which floats on the surface of the water. When frazil ice forms in water with movement it clumps together forming pancake ice.

  41. Clear Lake Ice Frazil Ice

  42. Frazil Slush Is ice which forms in water that has too fast a current to allow solid freezing.

  43. Pancake Ice Is circular free floating ice 30-300 centimeters in diameter. It is flat with raised edges due to pieces bumping together.

  44. Pancake Ice

  45. Clear Ice Is newly formed ice which is transparent. It is formed by long periods of below freezing temperatures. Its’ color is due to the color of water below reflecting through the ice. This is the strongest type of ice.

  46. Clear Lake Ice

  47. Snow Ice Is formed when water saturated snow freezes on an ice sheet. Appears opaque or milky, has a low density, is porous. Considered very weak ice.

  48. Candle Ice Is ice that is breaking down due to melting conditions. Has an appearance that resembles candles bundled together. Is most often found during late winter/early spring conditions.

  49. Anchor Ice Forms around submerged objects such as rocks, docks or shallow river bottoms. Can release as the object warms from the sun’s radiant heat. Can cause jams or navigational hazards.

  50. Floe Ice Is free floating ice chunks 3 feet or wider.

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