Swift Water Rescue

Swift Water Rescue

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This section of my website is dedicated to swiftwater rescue. Swiftwater is a specialty rescue discipline that deals with rescue and recovery from rapidly-moving water. It is generally not dive rescue (below the surface), though we do work with dive teams. It is also not open water rescue from large lakes, bays, and oceans. Typically, we respond to urban and rural flooding conditions, vehicles in water, and inland water rescues from rivers and lakes.

Yes, the shark in the picture is a Photoshop edit, but I still love the shot.

This is a recovery operation from Summer 2003 at Union Dam on the Patapsco River (Baltimore County and Howard County Line near the Route 40 overpass). Several young men were swimming and jumping off the old dam. One jumped, resurfaced in trouble, and submerged. Our teams responded to the Patapsco Valley State Park Holofield area, and descended the steep trail to the river. Teams from Arbutus, Kingsville, and Howard County searched for several hours. I am seated in this picture on the dam, trolling an underwater camera. Divers from Middle River recovered the body in approximately 10' of water about 30' below the dam.

This is our team in operation during Hurricane Isabel in September 2003. While the storm did not produce the extensive rainfall, storm surges and high winds had a devastating effect on some Chesapeake Bay river and coastal areas. Strong Northwest winds trapped water in the upper bay. This shot was taken in Edgemere. Houses along River Drive Rd were being pounded by waves approaching the second floors. Vehicles were completely submerged. Fuel oil contamination was heavy, due to the large numbers of homes in the area heated by oil. A propane leak also occurred. Our teams utilized all three of our inflatable boats to evacuate nearly 100 persons and pets from their homes. Later in the morning, operations moved to nearby Miller's Island peninsula, an area even more exposed to the winds and water surges.

At Miller's Island, we had many vehicles in the water. The Zodiac I was manning, unfortunately, developed several gaping holes in the lower hull and swamped. We later recovered it, but in general, the sturdy boats with basic outboard motors were the most reliable. While we were swamped in 5 feet of water at the intersection of Baylight and Millers Island Rd, I waved to Cabin John's Airboat, who had just picked up some victims from Chesapeake Ave. I asked for a lift back to the staging area so that I could bring back a larger Zodiac for my crew. They said sure, but they couldn't stop because they were on FIRE! I swam out to the airboat, and they were kind enough to pull a 360 so I could pull myself aboard. Sure enough, during the ride back to the staging area, white smoke poured from the control console. The engine overheated, blew a radiator hose, and the aft section began flooding with coolant. The other tech launched flares when we were in view of the staging area. The operator lost control and the engine died about 100 yards from the staging area, and we slammed into a tree to the dismay of the victims. The wiring harness under the console was completely melted. On a brighter technology note, however, the jet skies we commandeered were maneuverable and very functional in this instance, despite the minimal passenger space.

I created these maps to demonstrate our operational areas for Hurricane Isabel. The aerial photography was taken prior to Isabel. I drew in water lines to demonstrate the tide surges. In Edgemere, depths approached 6 feet with 2-3 foot chop on River Drive Rd closest to the point. On Miller's Island, depths approached 5 feet with 2 foot chop on Chesapeake Ave and 6' on 8th Street. 8th Street is as far out on the peninsula I got that day, but others reported increasing depth and waves and houses nearing complete submersion.

This is a Swiftwater Rescue Technician class I assisted with in Spring 2003. Most of the members were from Kingsville. I am in the upper right and below is Stacy, also from AVFD. I wasn't pleased with this strainer drill, however. The strainer drill uses a PVC pipe filled with buoyant foam. It is tied off at either end to onshore anchors so that it sits 90 degrees to the current. It simulates a deadly hydraulic feature known as a "strainer", like that caused by a tree in the water. Water flows under the strainer, trapping debris (and persons). The concept is to demonstrate to students the powerful physics at work here. They first swim the strainer the wrong way, allowing their arms to grab the tube. The water pushes their legs and lower body under the tube, and they are forced to either release and go under, or pull themselves over. I only ever saw one person pull out and over, and they used the bight of the tube and the suspending rope for leverage. In this case, the water was shallow, and every student was able to get footing, and push themselves over the strainer tube. Our training at Dickerson Power Plant was much more compelling with deeper and faster water.

The best way to manage a strainer is to avoid it altogether. If no other options are available, time your approach, and aggressively turn forward and power swim, pushing up and over the strainer. This is one of the only times one should be head first in moving water.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1. Ranger Class V PFD - The Ranger is a good all-around swiftwater rescue vest. It has @ 26 pounds of floatation, a mesh pocket for small gear (enough to hold a carabineer or two, and maybe a prussick). It has lash tabs for knives. It zippers in the front, has a waist nylon belt, and a breakaway harness. Nylon tabs at the sides adjust for fit. It is available in red and yellow. I have very few complaints about this vest. The harness MUST be rigged properly, with no twists to prevent binding. Lighter persons with less body mass might consider using only one turn through the harness buckle instead of two. The plastic buckle itself has a nylon cord and a plastic ball. I have seen this ball pull off in a few instances without releasing the buckle...make sure it is functional. The vest comes standard with a blowout ring, but this is very difficult to access quickly by yourself when the vest is on...the ring is positioned with velcro in the small of the back. We replaced our rings with "cowtails"...nylon "bungee" extensions that end in a convenient carabineer that can tuck under an arm and secure to the front of the vest for easy access. Each of our vests also has a D-Cell strobe on the left shoulder, and a Fox 40 whistle on a lanyard.

A few instructors I know swear by the Force 6 Instructor vest. It is black with reflective tape. It has a a few more pounds of floatation, more pockets, and is more form-fitting to the body. It has a nice pigtail that secures over the shoulder. I believe it is a mil spec vest. I have not actually worn this, but I understand it is an expert's vest and much more expensive than the Ranger.

2. Kokotat Drysuits - our newest drysuits are by Kokotat. They fit better and are more durable than our older NRS suits. We still use the NRS suits for training to save wear on the new suits. The seals are a bit tight on both the collar and the wrists, but they are breaking in. The Kokotat suit features a front entry zipper across the chest, and a relief zipper at the waist. As is always the rule with drysuits, make sure both zippers are closed before entering the water. Our techs are each issued their own fleece liner...the liners get sweaty and funky fast, so sharing them is not an attractive option.

3. Wetsuits - It is very rare that our team uses wetsuits. I allow them if our team is training in known safe water in the summer months, or for a summer search-type operation where flooding and exposure are not an issue.

Wetsuits are without a doubt more comfortable than drysuits for extended periods of time, and they definitely allow for better regulation of body temperature when the weather is warm. Wetsuits are generally not acceptable for swiftwater operations by the basic principal with which they operate. A wetsuit draws in water and keeps a layer between the suit and the wearer. There is not a lot of circulation of the water, and the wearer's body heat warms the water in the layer to create in insulating barrier. Wetsuits are also much less expensive than drysuits.

The problem is that in flooding conditions, all matter of pollutants contaminate the flood waters. In rural settings, this includes pesticides, fertilizer, animal waste, organophosphates, and sewer runoff. In urban settings, this is oil and fuel from vehicles, industrial and commercial chemicals, chemical tanks, storm drains, sewer flooding, and home heating fuel. There are documented cases of rescuers wearing wetsuits in these conditions developing severe rashes, legions and skin conditions resulting in months to years of painful disability. Even on an operation as simple as a body recovery, a drysuit provides significantly more protection and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) than a permeable wetsuit.

4. Helmets - We use Cascade helmets with helmet-mounted lights. These have a full nylon-webbing suspension system, rather than simple foam blocks seen on less expensive helmets. The most important factor in a helmet is proper fit. Foam block helmets WILL lose their foam eventually, even with the most gentle handling. Pacific Helmets also makes a nice helmet that includes retractable eye protection and a flashlight mounting socket.

5. Knives - Each of our vests has a Gerber River Shorty attached at the left shoulder. It has an excellent retention sheath, and a rubberized grip for excellent control. Personally, I also carry a Blue Water flat tip dive knife strapped to my leg. It is larger and heavier, and disassembles for easy cleaning.

6. Footwear - Quality footwear is essential for swiftwater, especially if you are involved in a hasty search and will constantly be in and out of the water. Footwear should offer good support, stability, and traction for dealing with slick surfaces. On a budget, a set of canvas Chuck Taylor Converse hightops work surprisingly well. Generally, I prefer a basic aquashoe that fits snugly over a drysuit foot. We also carry lace-up water boots, but I generally find these a bit heavy, especially if I have to climb.

Some Rules for Swiftwater Rescue

1. Never hard-tie yourself to a line. Anyone swimming on a line or towing a line should use a Class V PFD with a break-away harness, and trained in its proper use. Looping ropes around the shoulders or waist is suicide.

2. Never wear turnout gear near the water. It has no place. Bunker boots will immediately fill with water, bunker pants, coats, and linings will absorb water like a sponge. The wide brim of fire helmets will be pushed by the moving water, forcing the head down. Keep all responders who are in turnout gear back away from the water.

3. Anyone within 15' of the shoreline wears a vest. Victims need vests too.

4. Always employ upstream spotters. They should have radios and be able to notify command if a surge or large debris is inbound. This is an ideal job for crews not trained to enter the water

5. Always employ multiple downstream recovery points. Throw bags are good, and tensioned diagonals are even better.

6. Do not tension a recovery line 90 degrees to the current vector. Anyone traveling on this line will stall in the middle where a vee will be created. Use 45 degree ferry angle to your advantage.

6. Keep your feet up. Feet down will kill. Foot entrapments can occur in rural or urban environments. Your legs will stop, and moving water will push your body and head forward. Swiftwater swimmers should be floating on their backs with feet up, except when they are power swimming over a strainer or into/out of an eddy.

7. Have a plan and a backup plan. Keep the plans simple. High tech equipment is rarely waterproof, boats get holes, and engines flood. Be prepared to fall back to simple rope systems.

8. Do not drive a vehicle through moving water, or through standing water more than half the height of the wheel.

Ropes and Knots

The following is ropemanship that every tech should know. Practice often, and practice with gloves on. Rope work needs to be second nature and exact. A raging water incident is no time to be breaking out cheatsheets and quick guides to set a system you haven't tied in a year. The lives of the victim, and more importantly, your fellow techs are depending on you and your abilities. Knots are an easy exercise to practice while watching tv or movies during duty hours.

KNOTS

Bachman Knot - essentially, a prissick wrap around a line and a carabineer spine to create a

load-bearing handle. Works best on a wide, pear-shaped carabiner.

	Bowline - not as popular in rescue as the Family of 8's, but still a good water knot
	Butterfly - easy to tie, and can create a loop anywhere on a line
	Double Figure 8 on a Bight - creates two loops
	Etrier - webbing loop with offset stepping bights for ascending
	Figure 8 - stopper knot
	Figure 8 on a Bight - can create a loop anywhere on a line
	Figure a Reweave - to secure a line around a solid object
	Figure 8 Directional - creates a loop "inline" with the direction of the rope
	Fisherman's Knot - this is used to make a section of rope into a prussick.
	Kleinheist Knot - a Bachman Knot that uses a length of webbing instead of a prssick. Use care to wrap the webbing neatly. Good wide surface area contact with the line.
	Muenter Hitch - a quick friction belay that can be made with a carabineer
	Waterman's Knot - basicially an overhand knot reweave, used for securing two ends of tubular webbing. To release this knot, roll it between the palms of your hands.

ANCHORS

All anchors should be load-sharing, self-equalizing, and bombproof.

	Girth Hitch - This should never be used as an anchor, however, it is useful for tree climbing
	No Knot - A common and simple rope anchor. Works best on a tree or other rounded, non-smooth surface. Use 5-6 close wraps and secure with a Figure 8 on a bight. Keep the wraps stacked close together. Attach the bight to the running end with a carabineer. When done correctly, all the support is is the friction wraps. The carabineer should hang loosely.
	Simple Anchor - webbing tied once around an anchor; not recommended for systems
	Wrap 3, Pull 2 - A stable system anchor. Wrap the webbing 3 times, secure with a waterman's knot, and pull the top and bottom wraps to form the anchor

HARNESSES

Professional harnesses are recommended, but every tech should be able to tie their own.

	Swiss Seat - good for ascending or rappelling
	Chest Harness - can be a twisted loop across the chest, or over the shoulder
	Hanson Harness - a 3 bight harness, good for victim recovery. Secures waist, hips, and upper body.

Mechanical Advantage and Rope Systems

	If a line begins at the load, the mechanical advantage (MA) will always be odd.
	If a line begins at the anchor, the MA will always be even.
	If a pulley (or a turn in the line) moves, there will be mechanical advantage
	If a pulley (or a turn in the line) does not move, it is a change of direction without MA
	If the fall line comes from the running block (of a tackle sytem, e.g. load), it is a hauling system and the fall line DOES contribute to the mechanical advantage.
	If the fall line comes from the standing block (of a tackle system, e.g. anchor), it is a lifting/hoisting system, and the fall line does NOT contribute to the mechanical advantage
	When stacking moving pulleys, the MA in a system is multiplied
	The angles of an anchor system should be 90 degrees or less to prevent undue stress on the anchor legs
	Use edge and abrasion protection.
	Prussicks should be three wraps. Use two prussicks of different length at MA and ratcheting points.
	Always close and lock carabineers before loading. Unlocked carabineers have reduced strength.
	Never side-load a carabineer.
	Never stand on the inside angle of a tensioned or tensioning system.
	Use the Rule of 12s to determine the proper number of personnel to manage a system. Divide 12 by the first number of the mechanical advantage. For a 3:1 system, 12 divided by 3 = 4 persons. If more power is needed, increase the mechanical advantage of the system, not the number of persons. Too many persons powering a system can lead to catastrophic system failure.
	Remember that MA also factors into the amount of rope in your system. The more MA applied. the more rope you will need. More MA means that you are using more rope to move the system less distance before it needs to be reset.
	Remember that even a properly tensioned highline system will drop about 1 foot vertically for every 10' horizontal under load. Select anchors high enough to compensate for this.
	Communication is critical. Everyone must be sure of their duties and communications. This is especially vital when the system is being tensioned and reset.
	Clean ropes and equipment after use. Hang to dry in a hose tower, or out of direct sunlight.

Boats:

We acquired a 2004 Yamaha Waverunner FX140 from the good folks at Heyser Cycle in Laurel, MD and the Yamaha Corporation. This vessel is on a 12 month free lease agreement to the department, and we are evaluating its usefulness. Personal Watercraft are great in certain situations, though they will never replace the standard rubber-hulled Zodiac-style boat. They work wonderfully in flooded urban environments, recon, open water situations, and surf operations, but are not a good choice for rapid, rocky water, as they will not withstand the damage of rock strikes. We are having enjoyable training sessions with this vessel. It is plenty powerful, and handles well. It is quiet and fuel efficient. Pictured above is Captain McDowell during Firefighter's Convention Week 2004 in Ocean City, where we brought the unit for training.