Training Guide Swiftwater Rescue

Swiftwater River Hazards:

Cold water should be considered an obstacle by itself. Although the will to survive often surprises the most optimistic rescuer, probability of survival is decreased with increasing exposure of decreasing temperatures. Obviously trauma by itself will compound the situation.  An important note to consider when using a throw line will be the subject's ability to hold on to the line. The body's natural response to submergence in cold water will quickly shunt blood flow away from the extremities to attempt to maintain core temperature. This shunting will reduce ones ability to grasp and hold onto a rope or any other object.  

River Hazards: 

• Current - Force - Big Cold Water

• Top Debris - Debris floating on the surface

• Suspended Debris - Debris floating just below the surface.

• Bottom Debris - Entrapment

• Rocks - Holes and Rock Sieves

• Bridge Abutments - Pinning

• Strainers - Fallen Trees - Fencing - Rock Sieves

• Low Head Dams - Droning Machines

Preplanning: Potential accident site survey

Preplanning Sites: Rivers, Flood Control Channels, Washes, Flood Prone Areas, i.e.: Residential Areas, Local Street or Highway Flooding

Preplanning Information Sources:

• Maps - Rescue Sites - Rescue History- Flooding History

• Survey potential sites at low, medium, and high water levels

• Photographs and videos of previous rescue sites, potential rescue sites, flood control channels, and creeks and rivers.

Accident Site Surveys: Previous, Potential, and Historical Sites

• Locate and Survey natural and manmade hazards.

• Record access routes, rescue sites and High Danger Areas.

Formulate the rescue plan and Practice - Practice - Practice

What Equipment Will Be Needed For The Rescue?

Team Gear and Personal Equipment: 

The Team maintains sufficient water rescue equipment to provide a reasonably quick deployment within the primary response area of the county. This equipment combined with other agency's equipment should be able to effect a fairly complicated response without placing a large storage or financial burden on the team. Personal responding shall be equipped as follows:  

Tenders or members working at the extreme waters edge shall be equipped as follows:  

            Wet suit coverage sufficient for temperatures

   PFD with Knife, Zip Line Biner, Strobe, and Green Cylume

            Water Type snug fitting helmet

            Fins or protective booties or shoes

            Sit and Chest harness (non-collapsing)

            Quick eject tether line harness

            No Equipment around neck alone  

Other members working in the area but not directly at the waters edge shall have at minimum:  

            Foul weather / storm gear (winter type clothing)

            PFD with Zip Line biner, and Red Cylume

            Team Helmet

            Hiking Boots

            Sit and Chest Harness in place

            No Equipment around the neck alone.

            Flashlight with a holder

All biners used on PFDs should be non-locking, large gate biners.  

During stage 3 alerts team members are asked to keep their personal lines easily accessible and gear fully ready for quick dispatch. Rubber rain boots do not provide adequate support for travel in uneven water ways with mud. An old set of hiking boots that still provide support are well fitted to the swiftwater response. Keep uniforms ready for deployment. It is important to minimize the response time in every way possible to increase the odds of success.  

Swiftwater Rescue Techniques