TB 99 - River Rescue First Responder

Question 1

What portion of drownings are “would-be” rescuers?

Answer 1

one-third

Question 2

First Responder Duties

1. We must remember that ______ rescue is the priority.
2. Rescue of ______ is second
3. Rescue of ______ is the final outcome.

Answer 2

1. SELF RESCUE
2. our teammates
3. the victim

Question 3

List of the swiftwater rescue options from low-risk to high-risk:

Answer 3

1. Communication
2. Floatation
3. Reach
4. Throw
5. Row
6. Go
7. Tow
8. Helo

Question 4

What is the lowest risk swiftwater rescue option?

Answer 4

Communication and then floatation

Question 5

Swiftwater Rescue Options - Land Based

After the PRIMARY/SAFEST options of COMMUNICATION and FLOATATION, what Rescue Options are specific to the First Responder?

Answer 5

Reach and Throw

Question 6

Communication

Victim should be directed to assume a defensive swimming position (floating on their back with feet facing downstream).

The victim shall then utilize a “ferry” angle of _____ degrees AGAINST the current with the head pointing TOWARD the “target” river bank

Answer 6

• 45 degrees

Question 7

Example of “Reach” tools for swift water rescue?

Answer 7

-Pike pole

-rubbish hook

-small ladder

-tension diagonal

-inflated hose

Question 8

Swiftwater Rescue Option: Tension Diagonal (Reach)

The tension diagonal is generally a rope which is tensioned across a channel, just off the water, at a downstream angle of no more than _____ degrees to the current flow or vector.

It should be emphasized that this need NOT BE a high tension system. (Truckers hitch is sufficient)

Answer 8

45 degrees

(This system may be used for gaining access to victims, whether mid-stream or on the opposite bank. It may also be used to transport equipment and personnel, extricate victims, suspend a rescue net (curtain), or function as a downstream safety or back-up system.)

Question 9

Swift Water Rescue Option: Inflated Fire Hose (Reach):

-The preferred hose for this evolution is 50-100 feet (maximum) of 2-1/2 inch firefighting hose

-The ideal inflation pressure is ____ to ____ psi, which gives enough stability to prevent line kinking yet may be reached rapidly and safely.

-Suspend hose approximately 1 FOOT above water on downstream side of overpass

-DO NOT tie off any lines to the hose itself other than the anchoring line due to the hazard of entanglement for the victim.

Answer 9

50 to 60 psi

Question 10

Swiftwater Rescue Option: Throw

In a two-rescuer scenario, both the “thrower” and the “catcher” shall be secured in lifeline harnesses.

1. The “thrower” shall be attached to a ______.
2. The “catcher” shall be tied off to a ________ System.

Answer 10

1. TETHER (mobility upstream or downstream is not necessary.)
2. BELAY SYSTEM (ability to move upstream or downstream to catch the victim)

Question 11

Swiftwater Rescue Option: Throw

The most effective throw with the throw bag is a _______ throw which will spool the line out across the victim’s chest.

Answer 11

underhand

Question 12

Swift water PPEs shall be worn when:

1. In any position where an inadvertent action may cause a member to fall into the water (e.g., sloped banks of tapered channels).
2. In all cases where a member is WITHIN _____ FEET OF THE WATER.

Answer 12

10 ft

Question 13

Swift water PPEs:

Answer 13

Head Protection: Lightweight Helmets (Without fixed brims, should be self draining with chin strap.)

Floatation: Personal Floatation Devices, (P.F.D.’s) with a minimum rating of Class III/V

Footwear: Light Footwear Recommended, i.e., tennis shoes, wetsuit booties. ABSOLUTELY NO TURNOUT BOOTS

Thermal Protection: Lightweight Layering. ABSOLUTELY NO TURNOUT CLOTHING OR EMS SAFETY JACKETS

Question 14

Safety

In the event of accidentally falling into the water, ______ is the primary means of assisting in self-rescue.

Answer 14

-body positioning.

A Defensive Body Position allows a body to deflect objects with the feet while maintaining optimum visibility.

Question 15

Prompt delivery of a ________ to a victim lengthens the overall potential for rescue.

Answer 15

floatation device

Question 16

Is a Downstream “V” or an Upstream “V” a more dangerous water flow path?

Answer 16

-Upstream “V”

(This is caused by the downstream flow of water around an object. Considered to be a dangerous downstream path.)

Question 17

Swift Water Definitions:

Answer 17

Laminar Flow: The layered flows of water which are slower on the bottom and sides, and faster toward the surface.

Helical Flow: A circular, rolling flow of water near the banks which forces water midstream.

Pillow: Formed when water barely passes over an object. An eddy still forms on the downstream side.

Hydraulic: A reverse current that tends to hold or trap a buoyant object.

Eddy: An upstream current that forms behind a surface object in the river, or behind a bank or curve in the river.

Question 18

The use of ______ has proven itself to be one of the fastest and most versatile rescue efforts.

Answer 18

-throwbags

(An alternate method of “throw” rescue involves the use of rescue ring buoys. Rings may be used with throw bag lines tied to the end of the line providing extra weight to assist in the “throw” reaching the victim, or may function as floatation for the victim.)

Question 19

It should be emphasized that any time immediate rescue is not taking place, _______ should be given to the victim.

Answer 19

-floatation

(The most reliable method for this is the observer (on a bridge) to drop the ring buoy directly to the victim)