Snohomish County Fire District 7

1. Snohomish County Fire District 7

2. The objective of this training is not to become Lifeguards, but rather gain familiarity with the process of drowning, as well as offer options to effect rescue of a drowning or distressed swimmer.

3. Water Rescue Operations • Under no circumstances* will personnel trained to the operations level for water rescue enter into the water to attempt rescue! • *Exception – Above Ground/In-ground Pools. • All personnel working within 15’ from the edge of the water shall wear a personal flotation device/life jacket.

4. Facts • A SWIMMING POOL IS 14 TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN A MOTOR VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DEATH OF A CHILD AGE 4 AND UNDER. • EACH YEAR APPROXIMATELY 1,150 CHILDREN AGES 14 AND UNDER DROWN; MORE THAN HALF ARE PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 0-4). • AN ESTIMATED 5,000 CHILDREN AGES 14 AND UNDER ARE HOSPITALIZED DUE TO NEAR DROWNINGS ANNUALLY IN THE UNITED STATES. • OF CHILDREN SURVIVING NEAR DROWNINGS, 5 TO 20 PERCENT SUFFER SEVERE AND PERMANENT DISABILITY.

5. Understanding The Drowning Process It has been found that there are 5 steps to the drowning process. • Surprise • Involuntary Breath Holding • Unconsciousness • Hypoxic Convulsions • Clinical Death

6. Surprise • In this stage, the victim recognizes danger and becomes afraid. The victim assumes a near-vertical position in the water, with little or no leg movement. The arms will be at or near the water's surface, making random grasping or flipping motions. The head will be tilted back with the face turned up. Victims rarely make any sounds; they are struggling just to breath.

7. Involuntary Breath Holding • The victim has now dropped below the static water line and the body, in an attempt to protect itself, initiates involuntary breath holding. This occurs because water has entered the mouth and causes the epiglottis to close over the airway. Though a victim may continue to struggle, he/she will not usually make any sounds as he/she cannot breathe. Without oxygen, the victim will lose consciousness.

8. Unconsciousness • Because the victim has been without oxygen, the body shuts itself down as unconsciousness results. In this stage, the victim will be motionless. Because breathing has stopped, he/she is in respiratory arrest. There is no chest movement or breathing sounds. At this point, the victim sinks to the bottom of the water, either slowly or rapidly, depending on factors such as the amount of air trapped in the lungs, body weight, and muscle mass. The victim will remain unconscious (and die) unless breathing is reestablished.

9. Hypoxic Convulsions • Due to the lack of oxygen in the brain, the victim may look as if he/she is having a convulsion, which is why this stage is called the hypoxic convulsion stage. The victim's skin turns blue, especially in the lips and fingernail beds, and the body may appear rigid. There may be violent jerking of the body and frothing at the mouth.

10. Clinical Death • The final stage in the drowning process is death. Clinical death occurs when both breathing and circulation stop. The victim is in cardiac arrest. The heart stops pumping blood. The vital organs are no longer receiving oxygen rich blood. The lack of oxygen causes the skin to turn blue.

11. The Mammalian Diving Reflex This is seen when victims, usually children have prolonged down time in the water, and are resuscitated often with no side effects. • Seen most efficiently in younger victims. The diving reflex is triggered by cold water contacting the face. And is a slow process of freezing, not a sudden drowning. • Caused from peripheral vasoconstriction and bradycardia.

12. On Arrival • Initiate Command • Isolate and Deny Entry • Determine the number of victims • Determine the age of victims • Determine the last known location and time victim was last scene • Be prepared to declare Rescue vs. Recovery mode • Consider resources • Call for HELP!

13. Most Important! • The most important thing to accomplish when dealing with a drowning or near-drowning incident is to determine the last known location of the victim(s).

14. Cross reference the victim using 2 Firefighters to lock in the last known location of the victim. This should be done as soon as units arrive, personnel permitting. VICTIM FF1 FF2

15. Consider resources • Water Rescue Resources • SCFD #7 • 2 boats, 40 swiftwater personnel, 20 rapid entry rescue swimmer. • Everett Fire Department • 2 boats; 1 shared with SCSO at the marina and 1 at Station 7 • Some rapid entry rescue swimmers • Duvall Fire Department • Boat and some swiftwater personnel • SCFD #26 • Boat 54, rescue swimmers, swift water rescue

16. Additional Water Resources • More Water Resources • North County • 18’ Boat • Members trained for surface water rescue • Granite Falls • Some swiftwater trained personnel • Squad 87 has ropes and water rescue gear • Sultan Fire Department • Swiftwater trained personnel • SCSO • Dive team/Swiftwater personnel • 2-30’ boats at Everett Marina • 17’ safe boat, river boat and 2 PWC’s

17. Additional Water Resources • More Water Resources • Stilliguamish Swiftwater Rescue Team • Made up of member from District 17, 19, 21, 24 and 25 • All contribute swiftwater trained members • District 19 and 21 have hovercraft • Search and Rescue • Swiftwater trained personnel • Multiple inflatable watercraft w/o motors • 2 hovercraft • Lake Stevens Fire Department • 2 boats, one on Lake Stevens and one zodiac • Adding rapid entry rescue swimmers this spring • Arlington and Marysville • Adding rapid entry rescue swimmers this spring

18. In Water Training Objectives • Land Objectives • Reach, Throw, Row, Go • Shallow Water Search • Submerged Victims • Active vs Passive victims • Cervical Spine Immobilization

19. Rescue • Reach (hose boom, hand tools, ladders) • Throw (rope bag) • Assist tech rescue personnel with rescue.

20. Policy and Procedures • Review your department’s Policies and Procedures regarding water rescue • What equipment does your department carry? • Where are the closest water rescue asset’s to your department?