Rescue Course Scenario

 

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typical overview for participants

1. Decide to intervene or not.
   • Prepare by having the right gear and knowing how to use it.
   • Assess the problem.
   • Calculate risk and assume if reasonable.
2. Effect the rescue.
   • Keep rescue simple, and as fast as is safe.
   • Move deliberately.
   • Deal with life-threatening problems first.
   • Provide backup safety.
   • Formulate a backup plan.
3. Treat the victim.
   • Consider physical and mental state of victim.
   • Treat if possible, evacuate if necessary.
   • Keep eye on victim, especially if everything seems all right, remember, even the simplest rescue is hard work and takes a toll on everyone involved.

Rescue Simulation

Objectives using Experiential education

• Teamwork development
• Effective assessment of problem
• Creative plan development with backup
• Efficient allocation of both human and equipment resources
• Implementation of incident command system as it applies to real world situations
• Recognize rescuer safety as paramount
• Beneficial evaluation of results

Site Selection Considerations:

• Limited hazards both natural and manmade
• Minimal river traffic
• Access and communications
• River features suitable for challenges
• Panoramic view upstream and downstream
• River width
• Adequate current speed

Scenario Instructions:

• Put the Rescue Philosophy into action
• Safety of rescuers is foremost
• People first equipment last, always
• Teamwork and team organization is incident command system
• Simplest, safest, fastest plan first with backup
• Leadership is central
• Communications are vital
• Remember, this is only a simulation and victim safety is crucial.
• There will be a code word for termaination of exercise.
• This is designed to be a learning experience, so think positive!

Criterion for Debrief and Evaluation of Results

• Leader Chosen and
  • Oversees whole
  • Observes
  • Organizes
  • Directs efforts
  • Not directly involved with any one of the individual tasks
• Communications with
  • Team
  • Victim
• Safety
  • Rescuers,
  • Then victim
• Safety of plan
  • Upstream safety
  • Downstream safety
• Assessment of situation
  • Safety
  • Heads up or down
• Stabilization achieved of
  • Victim
  • Boat
• Extraction
  • Contact maintained
  • Victim status monitored
  • Safety considered
  • Backup in place
• Evacuation
  • Medical stabilization
  • Formulation of evacuation plan

Team Dialog of each in turn

• Leader
• Gophers
• Riggers
• Rescuers
• Victims
  • What was the Plan and Backup Plan?
  • What worked well?
  • What could you improve on?
  • What do you take home from this leaning experience?

References

Whitewater Rescue Manual

Charles Walbridge and Wayne Sundmacher, 1995, abbreviated-WRM

Swiftwater Rescue

Slim Ray, 1997, abbreviated-SR

Whitewater Self Defense

Video by Performance Video, 1998

Topics and location in the reference materials

1. Course Overview. SR-Ch-6, p-93 +182
2. Rescue Philosophy. SR-Ch-l, WRM-Ch-9
3. Equipment. WRM-Ch-2, SR-Ch-3 pp-35-42
4. Rope Throwing Skills. WRM-Ch-4 pp-43-57, SR-Ch-7 pp-105-110
5. Hydrology. SR-Ch-2 pp-13-30
6. Communications. SR- p-48 +182, WRM-p-8
7. Wading Rescue Skills. SR- Ch-7 p-103, WRM-Ch-3 pp-37-42
8. Swimming Strategies. SR- pp-31-34, WRM-pp-29-37
9. Boat Based Rescues. SR-Ch-8-Dn-120-128. Ch-6-pp-87-92 WRM-Ch-6-pp-64-85
10. Taglines. SR-Ch-8-pl23, Ch-7-p-110-113, WRM-Ch-8-pp-107-110
11. Rescue PFD. SR-Ch-3-pp-35-39, WRM-pp-60-63
12. Rescue Scenarios. WRM-Ch-l-pp-9-12. SR-Ch-12-DP-179-184