Safe Working Near Water. Aims & objectives Identify risks Identify risks Identify features in and around water Identify features in and around water PPE.

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near Water


Aims & objectives

• Identify risksIdentify risks• Identify features in and around waterIdentify features in and around water• PPEPPE• ThrowbagsThrowbags• Scene managementScene management• Post incidentPost incident


• Slips, trips, fallsSlips, trips, falls• DrowningDrowning• EntrapmentEntrapment• Impact injuryImpact injury• Hypothermia (x26 faster than air)Hypothermia (x26 faster than air)• Waterborne infectionWaterborne infection

Identifying risks


• Shoreline featuresShoreline features• DepthDepth• Submerged objectsSubmerged objects• Waves / currents / tidesWaves / currents / tides• Floating debrisFloating debris• Water temperature, contamination, Water temperature, contamination,

clarityclarity• Water usersWater users

Features sea

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near WaterRip current


• StoppersStoppers• StrainersStrainers• WeirsWeirs• Submerged Submerged

objectsobjects• Floating debrisFloating debris

• Eddies / eddy fenceEddies / eddy fence• Bank / channelBank / channel• Flow rate / volumeFlow rate / volume• DepthDepth• Water temperature, Water temperature,

contamination, contamination, clarityclarity

Features rivers

This list is not This list is not exhaustiveexhaustive

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near WaterWeir / Stopper / Water Clarity

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near WaterStrainer / Water Clarity / Debris

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near WaterStrainer / Water Clarity / Debris

Safe Working Near WaterSafe Working Near WaterEddy


• Outer shell resists impact Outer shell resists impact & abrasion& abrasion

• Impact absorbing linerImpact absorbing liner• Light weightLight weight• Chin strapChin strap• Snug fit to cover forehead Snug fit to cover forehead

& temples& temples

• NO Ambulance helmetsNO Ambulance helmets??

PPE helmets


• Protection & warmth (ambulance Protection & warmth (ambulance uniform?)uniform?)

• High visibility, water / wind proofHigh visibility, water / wind proof• Wetsuits / drysuitsWetsuits / drysuits• Foot wear – protection & warmth & Foot wear – protection & warmth &

gripgrip• Keeping WARM & DRYKeeping WARM & DRY

PPE clothing


• Nylon & cordura shell Nylon & cordura shell with polythene flotation with polythene flotation

• 8mm floating 8mm floating polypropylene ropepolypropylene rope

• Various lengthsVarious lengths• High visibilityHigh visibility• Free line principle Free line principle

(Knots=snag hazard)(Knots=snag hazard)

Throwbags


Scene management

• PPE – ambulance helmet unstrapped PPE – ambulance helmet unstrapped • Contact relevant agencies ASAP - fire Contact relevant agencies ASAP - fire

CG CG • 3 metre rule – cordon area3 metre rule – cordon area• Priorities - self, colleagues, casualtyPriorities - self, colleagues, casualty• Make contact with casualty ASAP & Make contact with casualty ASAP & nevernever rely on casualty to help rely on casualty to help


Scene management

• Do not enter water & be aware of being Do not enter water & be aware of being pulled inpulled in

• Keep it simpleKeep it simple• Contingency plansContingency plans• Upstream spotters & downstream Upstream spotters & downstream

supportsupport• NeverNever tie a rope around a rescuer tie a rope around a rescuer


• Don’t enter the waterDon’t enter the water• Talk Talk contact, assess, encourage & directcontact, assess, encourage & direct• Reach Reach branch, knees bent, feet apart, lowbranch, knees bent, feet apart, low• Throw Throw throwbagthrowbag

Next stages - row, go & tow, heloNext stages - row, go & tow, helo(other services required for these stages)(other services required for these stages)

The rescuer


• Stable position & Stable position & in view of casualtyin view of casualty

• Bag in throwing Bag in throwing hand, free line in hand, free line in other handother hand

• Shout - rope / lineShout - rope / line

Throwbag deployment

• Aim bag at swimmer Aim bag at swimmer & throw & throw

• Underarm, overarm Underarm, overarm or side throwor side throw

• Brace yourself & pull Brace yourself & pull swimmer to bank swimmer to bank


• Don’t panic! Shout for helpDon’t panic! Shout for help• Lie on back, feet downstream, bend Lie on back, feet downstream, bend

knees, bottom above heels, look ahead – knees, bottom above heels, look ahead – never put feet down (defensive never put feet down (defensive swimming)swimming)

• Look for eddy / slack waterLook for eddy / slack water• Avoid strainersAvoid strainers• Catch throwline, hold line against chest Catch throwline, hold line against chest

& over shoulder & remain on back & over shoulder & remain on back

The swimmer


Post incident

• Self & colleagues?Self & colleagues?• Equipment?Equipment? inspect throwbag, wash inspect throwbag, wash

& & dry (not in direct dry (not in direct sun / heat) sun / heat) visually visually inspect monthlyinspect monthly

• DocumentDocument• Review & debriefReview & debrief


?

Safe Working Near Water. Aims & objectives Identify risks Identify risks Identify features in and around water Identify features in and around water PPE.

Documents

water slide

water eddy slide

water slips

clarity water temperature

safe working ne

water nylon cordura

rescuer slide

sea slide