Type to enter text Swift Water Rescue Training Field Manual Fifth Edition - Revised March 2020 © 2011 SIMPLE. SMOOTH. INNOVATIVE. The Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI) was officially formed in 2011 by Eric Riley. SSI specializes in global, world-class, swift water rescue training utilizing limited resources while encouraging innovative problem solving and critical thinking. “After a decade of formal training and guiding in various locations around the world, I came to the conclusion that there was something missing in the river rescue industry. Monopolistic companies seemed to comprise the bulk of course offerings for prospective students. Having taken a number of rescue courses from various companies, and instructed for others, I felt highly compelled to make it a personal mission to contribute to furthering the development of this specialized field. Large companies seemed to represent the cookie cutter course idea that is somewhat consistent with large scale offerings, and the thought of creating a highly customizable program became a driving force for me. The idea that I could provide an alternative training platform for passionate professionals was a powerful moment, and SSI was born. I didn’t want a company that did everything, I wanted a company that did very specific things, and did them exceptionally well.” A note from Eric Riley - March, 2020 Swiftwater Safety Institute LLC P.O. Box 9792 Jackson, Wy 83002 © 2011 - Revised March, 2020 www.swiftwatersafetyinstitute.com [email protected] Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________ No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form by electronic or other means, including photocopying or recording without written permission from the publisher. Cover Photo: Big Cedar Media Written by: Eric Riley Contributing Authors: Abraham Role, Dan Thurber Illustrations by: Maria Foteva Table Of Contents Introduction and Overview…………………..……….…. 1-3 GAR Risk Calculation Worksheet………………………. 4-7 Rescue Priorities and Training Objectives…………….… 8-10 Definitions…………….…………………………………. 11-14 Hand Signals & Communication……….……………….. 15-21 Personal Protective Equipment………………………….. 22-29 River Rescue Control Zones…………………………….. 30 Rescue Equipment, Rope Construction & Terminology… 31-39 Section 1 Review ………………………………………. 40 Throw Bags……………………………………………… 41-42 Swift Water Belay Techniques……….……….…………. 43-44 Knots ................................................................................. 45-49 Vector Angles and Anchors................................................ 50-55 Mechanical Advantage ………………………..………… 56-58 Vector Pull……………………………………………….. 59-60 Z-Drag Kit Recommendations………….………..………. 61 Section 2 Review………………………………………… 62 Swimming in Swift Water.................................................. 63-67 Shallow Water Crossings………………….…….………. 68-71 Foot Entrapment .…………………………..………….… 72-76 Contact Rescues…………………………………………. 77 RecirculatingHydraulics…………………………………. 78-79 Strainers …….…………………………..….…………… 80-81 Section 3 Review …………..…………….…..………… 82 Lines Across the River....................................................... 83 Tensioned Diagonal........................................................... 84-86 Tethered Craft Lowers....................................................... 87-88 Boat Wraps/Pins…………………….…………………… 89-97 Boat Rigging/Scouting……………..………..…….…….. 98-99 Medical Considerations and Cold Water Immersion……. 100-106 Drowning Concerns……………………………………… 107-110 Section 4 Review…..…………………………………….. 111 National Fire Protection Association…………………….. 112-119 Additional Notes………………………………….……… 120-123 Works Cited……………………………………………… 124 About This Training Manual WARNING Swiftwater rescue may involve unique hazards with inherent risks. These hazards and risks can potentially prove fatal. This manual contains information and diagrams on specialized swiftwater rescue techniques. The diagrams and techniques outlined in this manual are intended for use as a part of a formal training course involving supervised training with an accredited SSI instructor. Swiftwater rescue situations are often times highly dynamic, thus requiring proficient decision making and hazard recognition only gained through personal experience. This manual is intended to be a guide but is not completely inclusive of every possible swiftwater rescue technique, hazard, inherent risk, or situation that you may encounter. Utilizing this material without prior instruction and/or certification may pose hazards to river rescue and flood responders. Training on the river can be highly dynamic based on various environmental concerns. Effort is made to cover each topic, however water levels, adverse weather, student retention, and other elements may render various skill components impractical to execute. Notes: 1 About Swiftwater Safety Institute Mission: To increase the proficiency of swift water and flood responders by adapting rescue instruction to focus on the specific needs, environments, and available equipment for rescuers. Introduction and Overview The Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI) has two areas of training focus: 1. U.S. Park Service, B.L.M. personnel, U.S.F.S., outdoor educators, U.S. Fish and Game, commercial guides and recreational river users. 2. Disaster relief teams, Police, Fire, and Emergency Services, professional Search and Rescue agencies, as well as the U.S. military including special operations and tactical response. The focus of this training will be on accident prevention, critical judgement, and rescuer awareness. In order to optimize overall swift water responder safety, our first line of prevention is to understand the inherent risk commonly found in swift water responses. Swiftwater Safety Institute Instructors The Swiftwater Safety Institute is a professional organization focused on training industry professionals to become instructors in the discipline of water and rope rescue. SSI instructors are actively involved in emergency services, commercial guiding, educational practices, or professional rescue agencies world wide. In order to meet industry level training standards, continuing education in the form of advanced professional training and participation in instructor proficiency-update courses are required to achieve and retain SSI swift water instructor licensure. !2 Swift Water Course Evaluation Successful course completion requires the demonstrated ability and proficiency in skills outlined in the core competency check sheet. This will be validated in a one-on-one format with a course evaluator/instructor. Students will also be required to pass a comprehensive written evaluation to achieve certification. Course participation is a requirement and missing a portion of any course module may affect your certification length. Course Delivery Method Courses will be delivered in a theoretical and practical format. Generally this will be done utilizing an appropriate classroom in combination with in-field training. Additionally, various training videos and power points may be utilized. This will be dependent upon the course curriculum being delivered along with field and classroom resources. Attainment of Certification After successful completion of SSI’s swift water rescue training (SRT), the student is presented with an internationally recognized “Certification of Course Completion" by the Swiftwater Safety Institute. SSI certifies that the student has met all outlined standards of such training, and students will retain a carbon copy of the "Core Competencies" worksheet as well as receive an electronic certification card issued by the Swiftwater Safety Institute. The certification will be branded by the Swiftwater Safety Institute and will hold the internationally recognized levels of training. ! 3 GAR Risk Calculation Worksheet Risk Calculation Worksheet - Calculating Risk Using GAR Model (GREEN-AMBER-RED) The following is an example of a GAR Risk Calculation Worksheet - An expanded version of this is contained in the next three pages of this text. Risk Calculation Worksheet - Calculating Risk Using GAR Model (GREEN-AMBER-RED) To compute the total level of risk for each hazard identified below, assign a risk code of 0 (For No Risk) through 10 (For Maximum Risk) to each of the six elements. This is your personal estimate of the risk. Add the risk scores to come up with a Total Risk Score for each hazard. SUPERVISION Supervisory Control considers how qualified the supervisor is and whether effective supervision is taking place. Even if a person is qualified to perform a task, supervision acts as a control to minimize risk. This may simply be someone checking what is being done to ensure it is being done correctly. The higher the risk, the more the supervisor needs to be focused on observing and checking. A supervisor who is actively involved in a task (doing something) is easily distracted and should not be considered an effective safety observer in moderate to high-risk conditions. PLANNING Planning and preparation should consider how much information you have, how clear it is, and how much time you have to plan the evolution or evaluate the situation. TEAM SELECTION Team selection should consider the qualifications and experience level of the individuals used for the specific event/evolution. Individuals may need to be replaced during the vent/evolution and the experience level of the