Water Awareness (safety)

Question 1

Types of watercourse

Answer 1

• Canals
• Rivers
• Ponds
• Lakes
• Reservoirs
• Culverts

Question 2

Hazards

Answer 2

• Depth
• Obstacles – debris
• Vegetation
• Access
• Unsafe edges/banks
• Mud, silt & rocks
• Ice
• Surface vessel impact
• Debris, vehicles, animals
• Electrical
• Public

Question 3

Firefighter PPE in Water Environments

Risks:

Answer 3

• Not designed for water entry
• Helmet can be a hazard - neck injury
• Provides some initial buoyancy
• Becomes heavy when wet
• Absorbs water, contaminated
• Cold.

Question 4

Hazards Associated with Flood Situations

Answer 4

• Large areas submerged
• Moving water, spate conditions
• Hidden obstacles
• Contamination
• Numbers of people requiring assistance
• Duration

Question 5

Safety When Working Near Water

Answer 5

• Scene safety
• Minimum crew in risk area
• Establish a cordon ‘3 metre zone’
• PPE
• Equipment
• Request and prepare for additional resources.

Question 6

Additional Resources Available at Water Incidents

Answer 6

• Specialist teams
• Additional personnel
• Police
• Ambulance service
• Coast Guard
• RSPCA
• Local authority
• High Volume Pump.

Question 7

Range of PPE For Use at Water Incidents

Answer 7

• Basic firefighter PPE
• Inflatable life-vest
• Fall arrest/restraint equipment
• Water first responder PPE
• Full water rescue PPE

Question 8

Equipment For Use at Water Incidents

Answer 8

• Reach equipment
• Floating throw lines
• Inflatable rescue paths
• Non powered craft
• Powered craft
• Specialist swim teams

Question 9

Low To High Risk Protocol For Water Incidents

Answer 9

• Shout
• Reach
• Throw
• Row
• Go
• Helo