RAPID RESCUE WATER TEAM SOG

[Admin]

Here is a basic SOG outline that is being employed by several Rescue teams:

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES

Purpose

To provide a higher level of care to the residents and guests of the ______, the Fire Chief directed the development of the Rapid Rescue Water Team (RRWT). The RRWT will provide an emergence response at any time to any place within the _________. This includes, but is not limited to, canals, lakes, ponds and quarries. The team will assist in rescue operations outside of _________, if requested.

This Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) will be utilized by all team members and support staff for training and rescue operations. Every member of _____ is expected to know these guidelines.

Policy:
• No person shall engage in water rescue operations unless they currently are certified as a Public Safety Diver as outlined in this SOP.
• No personnel are permitted to operate at a level of certification above which they have been certified at any incident or training dive.
• Rescuers must be tested annually to region standards to maintain certification to act in the capacity of a rescuer.

Team Members

All team members of the RRWT are members of the _______ Department. Each team member selected contributes qualities, skills, knowledge and time to enhance the team’s performance. Every team member is a respected and integral part of the team.

With team members and surface support personnel we can deliver a high standard of proficiency during a water emergency.

Surface Support Personnel

Any ______ member may be included in surface support functions during a water rescue operation if he/she has the appropriate training. The personnel performing the surface support functions will be under the direction of the senior rescuer and or water division leader.





Team Member Certifications

All RRWT must be, at minimum, open water certified by an accredited organization (PADI, NAUI, Dive Rescue International). Team members have one (1) year from the time they are selected for the team to become certified. __________instructors will offer water certification classes to paid employees but employees attending this class will not receive overtime or cause overtime for shift work.

Team Qualifications

To join RRWT candidates must show that they can swim 200 yards continuous utilizing the free style, sidestroke or breaststroke and immediately after finishing the swim float for ten (10) minutes.


Team Coordinator

The team coordinator will be responsible for the immediate direction of all activities of the team including, but not limited to, scheduling, training, operations, budgeting and purchasing. This direction will be accomplished through written and oral orders, policy, directives and guidelines.
If at a water rescue emergency the team coordinator is not available, the senior team rescuer will be operations/ water division leader. The senior team rescuer is the team member with the most water rescue experience.

Training

Members of the RRWT will be required to attend bi-monthly training. Training will consist of basis swimming skills, knowledge of the equipment and basic SCUBA skills. During each training session there will be skills performed in zero visibility conditions. Training will take place in environments where water emergencies occur. The training will be on/off duty. Annually team members must be able to complete the waterman ship evaluation.

It is mandatory that team members attend a minimum of 75 percent of the off duty training offered. Team members may not miss two (2) consecutive training sessions. Failure to meet the two (2) above mentioned requirements will be cause for removal from the team unless a team member has medical leave or prior approval from team coordinator.

All ______personnel will receive, on duty, surface support training by members of the RRWT.

PARAMETERS FOR RAPID DIVER SYSTEM
There are parameters and stipulations for use of the Rapid Diver system. As with all buoyancy control devices there are always suggested maximum depths allowed. With the Rapid Diver system our (_______) maximum depth will be 20 feet. Also before entering water for a rescue the subject in question or vehicle must be visible by eyesight. A backup rescuer will be dressed and ready to enter the water before primary rescuer enters the water.

Equipment

All of the rescue equipment will be maintained following the suggested maintenance requirements by the manufacturer. All equipment will be maintained on an annual basis by a certified repair facility.

Decision Making

There are two primary considerations prior to making a water rescue. The first is safety and the second is risk/benefit. These two considerations will be assessed on a continual basis during a rescue operation. This decision will be made be the operations/water division leader.

Safety is paramount to the rescue operation. It is everyone’s responsibility to perform in a safe manor and to be alert for the safety of all team members. Any safety issue must be immediately addressed. All team members are responsible for safety.

Risk/benefit is used to determine the go/no go mode. If hazards are present that present immediate harm a rescuer, the operation will stop and an alternate action plan will be utilized.

Witnesses. Interview all possible witnesses. Children can make good witnesses because they are often not as emotionally involved as adults. Obtain the parent’s permission when possible.


Rescue vs. Recovery

The golden hour will be used to determine the rescue vs. recovery mode. Usually cold weather may extend the golden hour limit. Time will be of the essence during the rescue realizing every moment counts. The ______RRWT will only be utilized for the rescue mode. There will be no rescue for a reported lost person or at scenes where there is no last seen point. The _____________dive team will be utilized for the recovery mode.


Pre-water checklist

Equipment check
Air system on
Air full on
Check pressure gauge before and after dive
Check regulator operation
Dive light and light secure
Mask and snorkel on
One knife high (on chest area) one knife on lower leg
Rescuer be tethered (on safety rope)
Each operational rescuer must be asked and respond “go” or “no go” to his/her physical, mental capabilities, equipment, and dive plan.

Operations

Upon arrival at a water rescue emergency the following will be a guideline of procedures to follow:
While rescuers are suiting up, primary rescuer and safety rescuer, the water division leader and or incident commander should establish the location of the victim.

Discuss with the rescuers prior to entry:
Approximate depth
Current
Underwater visibility
Water temperature
Known hazards
Entry / exit point
Information on victim(s)
Review line signals
Rescuer to line tender
1 pull = okay
2 pulls = more line
3 pulls = object found
4 pulls = emergency, deploy the safety diver

Line tender to rescuer
1 pull = okay
2 pulls = change direction
3 pulls = stop and come to the surface
4 pulls = emergency, stop and remain on the bottom


Rescuer should have all gear on and adjusted prior to entering the water.

Line tender will perform a safety check on the rescuer before entry into the water. A safety check will include telling the water division leader the air pressure of scuba bottle, air on, all lights working and completing a check of the rescuers equipment. Line tender will inform the water division leader the time, for rescuer, in and out of the water.

The line tender, and personnel working around the water will wear a personal floatation device.

All non-essential personnel will be out of the operation area.

The safety rescuer will be at the waters edge whenever the primary rescuer is in the water. The safety rescuer will have a safety line attached and ready to enter the water if needed.

Prior to going in-service from a rescue operation, everyone involved should be included in a post-incident discussion. At that time, it will be determined if a defusing is needed.

A medical Unit (for rescue personnel) will be on scene for all rescue operation.

When a line tended operation is used the rescuer must be attached with a quick release line tether mechanism.

A tow truck operator will be immediately dispatched to the scene.

Anytime a diver becomes entangled or entrapped during a dive, the safety diver shall be deployed immediately to mitigate and free the diver, and to provide the Operations Officer information on the safety of future dives.

Night Rescue Operations

Night water rescues are prohibited in hazardous environments or conditions. Use extreme caution in moving water or areas around low head dams.
All rescuers will securely attach a cylume stick to the regulator of their scuba tank. All rescuers will enter the water with a primary light.


Submerged Vehicle

In the event that there is a submerged vehicle, the rescuer will observe, the condition of the vehicle’s doors and windows. If the windows and doors are open, the rescuer should sweep the area for a victim. When approaching vehicle, check for stability. Due to entanglement risks, the rescuer will not penetrate the vehicle but shall do a hand sweep search up to an arm’s length inside the vehicle. It is not advised to enter the submerged vehicle.

Media Relations

If handled correctly it can be one of the team’s greatest allies in public relations. The Public Information Officer will be called out to be the designated spokesman for the RRWT. The PIO will keep the media as informed as circumstances and policy permit. PIO will keep the media within an area outside of the operation area taking place.

Return to Service

All equipment shall be cleaned and/or decontaminated, dried, inspected, and properly returned to its compartment or storage container prior to the apparatus returning to service.

Family and friends of drowned victims

Assisting the family and friends of a drowned victim may be the most difficult part of the operation. There is a strong mix grief and frustration when a victim’s family and friends are waiting to hear the inevitable. Theses people should be treated as secondary victims.
Do not avoid contact with these people. If possible have a team member stay with them to explain the operation and provide emotional support.
Team members must be extremely sensitive to the emotions of the victim’s family and friends. Each team member must act and speak professionally at all times.
The PIO should contact the crisis incident manager from CCSO.


Remember:
Risk/Benefit

[wyatt711]

Due to the OSHA exemptions on rescue diving we have updated the training requirement for Rapid Diver Rescue teams.  No longer are you required to have an Open Water cert.  Rapid Diver offers training through NASE for The Rapid Diver Entry System-Public Safety Diver.  It is recommended to participate in continues training for public safety diver teams, However to get a team started the RDES-Public Safety Diver is required adequate training.

Here is a basic SOG outline that is being employed by several Rescue teams:

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES

Purpose

To provide a higher level of care to the residents and guests of the ______, the Fire Chief directed the development of the Rapid Rescue Water Team (RRWT). The RRWT will provide an emergence response at any time to any place within the _________. This includes, but is not limited to, canals, lakes, ponds and quarries. The team will assist in rescue operations outside of _________, if requested.

This Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) will be utilized by all team members and support staff for training and rescue operations. Every member of _____ is expected to know these guidelines.

Policy:
• No person shall engage in water rescue operations unless they currently are certified as a NASE Rapid Diver Public Safety Diver as outlined in this SOP.
• No personnel are permitted to operate at a level of certification above which they have been certified at any incident or training dive.
• Rescuers must be tested annually to region standards to maintain certification to act in the capacity of a rescuer.

Team Members

All team members of the RRWT are members of the _______ Department. Each team member selected contributes qualities, skills, knowledge and time to enhance the team’s performance. Every team member is a respected and integral part of the team.

With team members and surface support personnel we can deliver a high standard of proficiency during a water emergency.

Surface Support Personnel

Any ______ member may be included in surface support functions during a water rescue operation if he/she has the appropriate training. The personnel performing the surface support functions will be under the direction of the senior rescuer and or water division leader.





Team Member Certifications

All RRWT must be, at minimum, NASE Rapid Dive Public Safety  Diver or certified by an accredited organization (PADI, NAUI, Dive Rescue International). Team members have one (1) year from the time they are selected for the team to become certified. __________instructors will offer water certification classes to paid employees but employees attending this class will not receive overtime or cause overtime for shift work.

Team Qualifications

To join RRWT candidates must show that they can swim 200 yards continuous utilizing the free style, sidestroke or breaststroke and immediately after finishing the swim float for ten (10) minutes.


Team Coordinator

The team coordinator will be responsible for the immediate direction of all activities of the team including, but not limited to, scheduling, training, operations, budgeting and purchasing. This direction will be accomplished through written and oral orders, policy, directives and guidelines.
If at a water rescue emergency the team coordinator is not available, the senior team rescuer will be operations/ water division leader. The senior team rescuer is the team member with the most water rescue experience.

Training

Members of the RRWT will be required to attend bi-monthly training. Training will consist of basis swimming skills, knowledge of the equipment and basic SCUBA skills. During each training session there will be skills performed in zero visibility conditions. Training will take place in environments where water emergencies occur. The training will be on/off duty. Annually team members must be able to complete the waterman ship evaluation.

It is mandatory that team members attend a minimum of 75 percent of the off duty training offered. Team members may not miss two (2) consecutive training sessions. Failure to meet the two (2) above mentioned requirements will be cause for removal from the team unless a team member has medical leave or prior approval from team coordinator.

All ______personnel will receive, on duty, surface support training by members of the RRWT.

PARAMETERS FOR RAPID DIVER SYSTEM
There are parameters and stipulations for use of the Rapid Diver system. As with all buoyancy control devices there are always suggested maximum depths allowed. With the Rapid Diver system our (_______) maximum depth will be 33 feet. Also before entering water for a rescue the subject in question or vehicle must be visible by eyesight. A backup rescuer will be dressed and ready to enter the water before primary rescuer enters the water.

Equipment

All of the rescue equipment will be maintained following the suggested maintenance requirements by the manufacturer. All equipment will be maintained on an annual basis by a certified repair facility.

Decision Making

There are two primary considerations prior to making a water rescue. The first is safety and the second is risk/benefit. These two considerations will be assessed on a continual basis during a rescue operation. This decision will be made be the operations/water division leader.

Safety is paramount to the rescue operation. It is everyone’s responsibility to perform in a safe manor and to be alert for the safety of all team members. Any safety issue must be immediately addressed. All team members are responsible for safety.

Risk/benefit is used to determine the go/no go mode. If hazards are present that present immediate harm a rescuer, the operation will stop and an alternate action plan will be utilized.

Witnesses. Interview all possible witnesses. Children can make good witnesses because they are often not as emotionally involved as adults. Obtain the parent’s permission when possible.


Rescue vs. Recovery

The golden hour will be used to determine the rescue vs. recovery mode. Usually cold weather may extend the golden hour limit. Time will be of the essence during the rescue realizing every moment counts. The ______RRWT will only be utilized for the rescue mode. There will be no rescue for a reported lost person or at scenes where there is no last seen point. The _____________dive team will be utilized for the recovery mode.


Pre-water checklist

Equipment check
Air system on
Air full on
Check pressure gauge before and after dive
Check regulator operation
Dive light and light secure
Mask and snorkel on
One knife high (on chest area) one knife on lower leg
Rescuer be tethered (on safety rope)
Each operational rescuer must be asked and respond “go” or “no go” to his/her physical, mental capabilities, equipment, and dive plan.

Operations

Upon arrival at a water rescue emergency the following will be a guideline of procedures to follow:
While rescuers are suiting up, primary rescuer and safety rescuer, the water division leader and or incident commander should establish the location of the victim.

Discuss with the rescuers prior to entry:
Approximate depth
Current
Underwater visibility
Water temperature
Known hazards
Entry / exit point
Information on victim(s)
Review line signals
Rescuer to line tender
1 pull = okay
2 pulls = more line
3 pulls = object found
4 pulls = emergency, deploy the safety diver

Line tender to rescuer
1 pull = okay
2 pulls = change direction
3 pulls = stop and come to the surface
4 pulls = emergency, stop and remain on the bottom


Rescuer should have all gear on and adjusted prior to entering the water.

Line tender will perform a safety check on the rescuer before entry into the water. A safety check will include telling the water division leader the air pressure of scuba bottle, air on, all lights working and completing a check of the rescuers equipment. Line tender will inform the water division leader the time, for rescuer, in and out of the water.

The line tender, and personnel working around the water will wear a personal floatation device.

All non-essential personnel will be out of the operation area.

The safety rescuer will be at the waters edge whenever the primary rescuer is in the water. The safety rescuer will have a safety line attached and ready to enter the water if needed.

Prior to going in-service from a rescue operation, everyone involved should be included in a post-incident discussion. At that time, it will be determined if a defusing is needed.

A medical Unit (for rescue personnel) will be on scene for all rescue operation.

When a line tended operation is used the rescuer must be attached with a quick release line tether mechanism.

A tow truck operator will be immediately dispatched to the scene.

Anytime a diver becomes entangled or entrapped during a dive, the safety diver shall be deployed immediately to mitigate and free the diver, and to provide the Operations Officer information on the safety of future dives.

Night Rescue Operations

Night water rescues are prohibited in hazardous environments or conditions. Use extreme caution in moving water or areas around low head dams.
All rescuers will securely attach a cylume stick to the regulator of their scuba tank. All rescuers will enter the water with a primary light.


Submerged Vehicle

In the event that there is a submerged vehicle, the rescuer will observe, the condition of the vehicle’s doors and windows. If the windows and doors are open, the rescuer should sweep the area for a victim. When approaching vehicle, check for stability. Due to entanglement risks, the rescuer will not penetrate the vehicle but shall do a hand sweep search up to an arm’s length inside the vehicle. It is not advised to enter the submerged vehicle.

Media Relations

If handled correctly it can be one of the team’s greatest allies in public relations. The Public Information Officer will be called out to be the designated spokesman for the RRWT. The PIO will keep the media as informed as circumstances and policy permit. PIO will keep the media within an area outside of the operation area taking place.

Return to Service

All equipment shall be cleaned and/or decontaminated, dried, inspected, and properly returned to its compartment or storage container prior to the apparatus returning to service.

Family and friends of drowned victims

Assisting the family and friends of a drowned victim may be the most difficult part of the operation. There is a strong mix grief and frustration when a victim’s family and friends are waiting to hear the inevitable. Theses people should be treated as secondary victims.
Do not avoid contact with these people. If possible have a team member stay with them to explain the operation and provide emotional support.
Team members must be extremely sensitive to the emotions of the victim’s family and friends. Each team member must act and speak professionally at all times.
The PIO should contact the crisis incident manager from CCSO.


Remember:
Risk/Benefit

[Smokewagon]

Thanks for this info, it makes getting our rapid diver's into service much easier.

[Rapid Diver]

Any suggestions are always welcome!

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