This presentation introduces students to swiftwater rescue incident operations. Students will learn to recognize the need for water search and rescue; implement an assessment plan; identify the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water operations; implement the emergency response plan system for water incidents; implement site control and scene management; recognize general hazards associated with swiftwater. Estimated teaching time is 4 hours. Presentation is over 100 slides in length.

1. PREVIEW OF
SWIFT WATER RESCUE
AWARENESS
BRAVE TRAINING SOLUTIONS
WWW.BRAVETRAINING.COM
Copyright 2014
R1 V1

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
To provide First Responders with
Basic knowledge concerning the characteristics &
dangers of moving water
Specific information regarding the hazards
associated with rescues from moving water
Information regarding basic equipment & skills
necessary to accomplish shore based & self
rescue from moving water
Overview of First Responder support roles or
extended Search & Rescue Operations

3. DEFINITION
SWIFTWATER
Predominately predictable, fast-moving with
identifiable hydraulics features
Any body of water with a consistent direction of
flow will be considered to be swift water

4. THREE LEVELS OF TRAINING
Awareness
Minimum capabilities
Operations
Capable of hazard recognition, equipment
use & rescue techniques
Technician
Capable of supervision, hazard recognition,
equipment use & rescue techniques

5. SWIFT WATER
Can be found in
Rivers
Creeks
Washes
Flood control
channels

6. SLOW WATER
Can be found in
Most canals
Some lakes

7. PHYSICS OF WATER FLOW
FORCE=Mass X Velocity2
Velocity Pounds
On Legs
Pounds
On Body
5 ft/S=3.4 MPH 16.8 33.6
10 ft/S=6.8 MPH 67.2 134
20 ft/S=13.6 MPH 269 538

8. STRAINERS
Avoid the strainer or
climb over it, or you
may drown if you
become entangled

9. HOLE

10. PILLOW
Pillows are formed when a large flow of water
runs into a large obstruction, causing water to
"pile up" or "boil" against the face of the
obstruction
Pillows normally signal that a rock is not
undercut
Pillows are also known as "pressure waves"

11. LOW HEAD DAM
FACE
BACKWASH
BOIL LINE
OUTWASH

12. THROW
Rope Floatation device
Photo by Yu Diving
Photo by Proadvent.co.uk
Activities

13. VICTIM RESCUE
Reach or throw only
Do not attach rope to yourself
Use throw bag
Do not forget the speed of the water
Deploy downstream diagonal lines
Pendulum victim to shore
Treat for hypothermia

14. RULE OF FOUR
1 Self Rescue First
2 Teammate Second
3 Bystanders Third
4 Victim Fourth
Remember the victim may already be lost

15. VICTIM/RESCURER
SAFE SWIM POSITION
(DEFENSIVE POSITION)
Float on back feet first down stream
Water Flow
Photo by Buster Benson

16. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
GO TO LINK BELOW
SWIFT WATER RESCUE AWARENESS