Title: The Lifesaving Society Water Rescue for First Responders Program
1 The Lifesaving Society Water Rescue forFirst
Responders Program
2 - Water Rescue for First Responders
- Program Overview
3Program Objective
- To reduce the number of drowning and
water-related injuries by providing basic water
rescue training to those most likely to be the
first on the scene of an aquatic emergency.
4The Problem
- Drowning is the second leading cause of
accidental death in Canada - Average of 127 drowning deaths in BC/Yukon per
year - 41 occur less than 2 meters from safety
- 50 occur in less than 2.5 meters of water
- High Risk rescue attempts (Rescuer entered the
water) account for 59 of attempts - 44 of rescue attempts by professional FRs
whether they were trained or not!
5Current Agency Responsibility
- Ground SAR Jurisdictional Police or Recognized
Volunteer Community/Regional Rescue Groups - Air SAR Canadian Armed Forces
- Marine SAR Canadian Coast Guard
- Ground Inland Waterways SAR Jurisdictional
Police (RCMP no longer train in Water Rescue at
Depot)
6WCB Guidelines
- 4.13
- The employer must conduct a risk assessment in
any workplace in which a need to rescue or
evacuate workers arises - If the assessment required by subsection (1)
shows a need for evacuation or rescue,
appropriate written procedures must be developed
and implemented, and a worker assigned to
coordinate their implementation. - Written rescue and evacuation procedures are
required, but not limited to - e) work on, or over, water
7Program Background
- Program Development began in 1999, as a result of
numerous requests for specific training - Lead Agency is the Lifesaving Society (formerly
the Royal Lifesaving Society RLSS) - Selected First-Response agencies were contacted
to provide technical input
8About the Lifesaving Society
- Canadas Lifesaving experts since 1904,
certifying over 200,000 people of all ages
annually in aquatic safety - Affiliated with the International Life Saving
Federation and the Royal Life Saving Society
(England 1891) - Considered as expert opinion in legal cases
involving aquatic safety.
9About the Lifesaving Society
- National volunteer organization and registered
charity with tens of thousands of members and
over 2000 affiliated training agencies i.e.
swimming pools, waterfronts and schools - National Lifeguard certification standard for
Canada - Establishes and consults on aquatic safety
standards for public facilities, industry and
government
10Current Program Position
- Summer 2003 - Working Draft of WRFR Manual
completed - November 2003 first Instructor-Trainer
workshop, 18 selected First Responders reviewed
program materials and participated in both pool
and open-water training scenarios, video material
developed - December 2003 attendees provided feedback and
ideas for program material
11 Program Direction
- January 2004 Final draft of training manuals
and program materials completed - Feb-Mar 2004 - Soft-launch of program for
target First Responder agencies (affiliated with
Charter Trainers) - Spring 2004 Program implementation
12Water Rescue for First RespondersThe Program
- Two-day format
- WRFR I 8hrs Dry land Wet Training
- WRFR II 8.5hrs Dry land Wet Training
- Technical Assistance and Advice
- Personal Protective Equipment Support Equipment
- Contact and Reference Support
- Established Rescue Teams
13Water Rescue for First Responders IEight Hours
- Drowning Statistics
- WCB Legal Issues
- Water Rescue Overview
- Safety/Self Rescue
- ICS Scene Assessment
- Rescue vs. Recovery
- The Ladder Approach
- Rescuers Checklist PPE
- Rescue Communication
- Theoretical Rescues
- Rescue Follow-up
- Boat Rescue
- Aquatic site Safety Orientation
- Self Rescue Skills Equip.
- Drowning Recognition
- Talk, Throw, Reach, Extend Skills Scenarios
14Water Rescue for First Responders IIEight Hours
- Rescuers Ladder Checklist
- Aquatic Location Analysis
- Spinal Injury Mgt
- Submersed Vehicles
- Missing Person Searches
- The Unsuccessful Rescue
- Operational Review
- Setting up a Rescue Team
- Patient Recognition
- Defense and Release Skills
- Go, Tow, and Carry Skills
- Conscious Patient Scenarios
- Unconscious Patient Scenarios
- Aquatic Spinal Injuries
- Open Water Rescue Scenarios
15Consider
- Drowning Incidents have similar consequences to
Confined Space Incidents in that many victims are
would-be rescuers - Even areas which may not ordinarily present a
drowning hazard can become risks (During the
Squamish floods, anything that would float was
used for transportation) - As First Responders, we will get called whether
we are trained or not! - Given our nature, we will attempt to help and
take risks to make a water rescue whether we have
been trained or not!
16And finally consider this!
- Even after training of this type, you may not
necessarily start a Water Rescue Program within
your departments but at least you will have
equipped your Team to make an educated decision
that may prevent a fatal error that adds to the
body count.
17For scheduling and registration information
regarding the WRFR program for you or your team
please contactTony Toriglia Aquacet Solutions
Inc.Aquatic Consulting, Education and Training
aquacet_at_telus.netCell (250)-954-8251