1. Swift/Moving Water Rescue IncidentsAwareness Level Developed by The Plymouth Fire Department

2. Swift/Moving Water Rescue Awareness Level Technical Assistance • The Hennepin County (MN) Sheriff’s Office • Minnesota DNR • Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

3. Swift/Moving Water

4. Top debris Suspended debris Bottom debris Rocks Bridge abutments Strainers Low head dams Cold water Speed/force of the water Swift Water Hazards …

5. Awareness Level Rescue Options • Reach (pike pole, etc) • Throw (throw bag, downstream diagonal lines)

6. Swift Water Management • Request technical rescue assistance • Request shared communication talk group • Maintain responder accountability • Communicate rescue and safety plan

7. Awareness Level RescueFirst Arriving • Point last seen • Number of victims • Age • Time since last seen • Type/color of clothing, PFD? • Swimming ability, with boat, etc • Search immediate area • Relay information

8. PFD, Helmet and Throw Bag If Within 10 Feet of Water NO TURNOUTS NO FIRE HELMETS

9. ID Hazards and Current Vector

10. Awareness Level RescueResponder Actions • First Arriving: Downstream Containment • Personnel both sides • PFD, technical rescue helmet, throw bags • Search • Second Arriving: Upstream Observers • Watch for items traveling downstream that could injure swimmers in the water • Water surge

11. Awareness Level RescueResponder Safety • PFD and throw bag if within 10’ of water • Deploy upstream spotters (surge, debris) • Deploy multiple downstream recovery points • Do not wear structural turnout gear • Do not wear structural fire helmet

12. Awareness Level RescueResponder Safety • Never tie a rope to yourself • Do not enter moving water • Always be ready for self-rescue • Do not drive through moving water that is deeper than ½ height of the tire

13. Awareness Level RescueSelf Rescue • PFD/Throw bag if within 10’ of edge • Keep feet up, pointed downstream • Do not drag feet • Move your body at a 45 degree angle to the current • Ferry angle • Watch out for strainers

14. Awareness Level RescueVictim Rescue PFD 10' • Reach or Throw Only! • Do not attach a rope to yourself • Use throw bag • Don’t forget about the speed of the water • Deploy downstream diagonal lines • Pendulum victim to shore • Treat for hypothermia

15. First Shot - With Throw Bag

16. Second Shot By Recoiling Rope

17. Possible Injuries • Head injuries • Hypothermia • Minnesota waters should be considered cold water drowning, any time of the year • Other ???