Swiftwater

Question 1

Who is lead agency?

Answer 1

AFP

Question 2

How far from the waters edge is the warm zone?

Answer 2

3m

Question 3

What equipment can be used for Swiftwater rescue?

Answer 3

• Hoses
• Ropes
• Poles
• Pocket lines
• Ladders
• HAZMAT bins
• Throw bags
• PFD’s

Question 4

What is the definition of Swiftwater?

Answer 4

Water traveling down a gradient in excess of 2 km/h

Question 5

Swiftwater hazards?

Answer 5

• Depth, current and flow
• Debris on the surface and underwater
• Water hydraulics
• Unstable surfaces and banks
• Biological water borne hazards
• Dangerous or large animals
• Public and untrained emergency personnel

Question 6

Terminology

Answer 6

Upstream - refers to the direction towards the source of the river, which will be against the direction of flow.

Downstream - describes the direction towards the mouth of the river, in which the current flows.

River Left - left of river when looking downstream.

River Right - right of river when looking downstream.

Question 7

What is an Eddy?

Answer 7

Horizontal reversal of water flow where the pressure of current along a deviation point (e.g rock) causes water behind the obstacle to flow upstream. These can be used as safe areas to draw a casualty to or for rescuers to rest within.

Question 8

What is a hole/stopper/keeper?

Answer 8

Vertical reversal of water flow where the pressure of water falling over a gradient causes the channel water at the base of the gradient to be forced downward into a loop style reversal. This water returns ‘boils’ to the surface at which point part of the water continues downstream and part reverses back upstream to the base of the gradient.

Question 9

What is a strainer?

Answer 9

Build-up of debris such as rocks & logs or fabricated structures which restrict downstream flow. Forks in the river can cause strainers to build.

Question 10

What are the hazard zones?

Answer 10

Hot Zone - Moving Water (Casualty, AFP Rescue Team)
Warm Zone - Within 3m from Waters Edge (ACTF&R Rescue Team)
Cold Zone – Support Crew, Incident Management Team, Bystanders

Question 11

Positions of a rescue team?

Answer 11

• Upstream spotter
• Rescue team
• Rescuer
• Downstream safety team
• Downstream rescuer

Question 12

Whistle signals?

Answer 12

1 Blast - Stop or attention.
2 Blasts - Attention up stream or move upstream.
3 Blasts - Attention down stream or move downstream.
3 Blasts repeated - Emergency or rescue.

Question 13

How long is the rope in the throw bag?

Answer 13

20m

Question 14

3 things to always remember

Answer 14

Safety of you and crew primary.
Safety of bystanders second.
Safety of casualties third.

Question 15

Things that must not be worn when conducting Swiftwater rescue?

Answer 15

• Structural gear
• Freighting helmets