Water Emergencies

SL 9-1
 OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

•List at least 5 common water emergencies and causes

•List and describe the types of water hazards.
•Demonstrate 6 knots used for joining and securing
•Demonstrate the 2 types of extension assist taught in the
CADRE course.
•Demonstrate how to wade through moving (shallow) water.
SL 9-2
 Water Emergencies
Drowning may happen in a large water source,
such as a lake, river or swimming pool.

…But drowning may also occur in different water

sources, from the biggest ocean to the smallest
puddle.

SL 9-3
Common Water Emergencies
• Drowning
• Diving in shallow water
• Man overboard
• Hypothermia
• Soft tissue injuries
• Electrocution
• Animal Bites
SL 9-4
 Causes
• Heavy rains – caused by seasonal or
environmental factors
• Dam failure
• Strong Current
• Accident
• Boat accidents or capsized boat
• Live electric outlet in homes
SL 9-5
 Water Hazards

• Low head dam/hydraulics

• Strainers
• Floating debris
• Foot entrapment
• Stationary objects

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Low Head Dams

7
Strainer

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Floating Debris

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Foot Entrapment

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Stationary Objects

11
 Water Hazards
• Panicked swimmers
• Contaminated water
• Hypothermia
• Dehydration

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SURVIVAL

Safe/Defensive Swimming
Position

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SL 9-9
Back float

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Jellyfish float

15
Prone/dead man float

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Defensive Swimming Position

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PFD & IMPROVISED FLOATATION DEVICE

• Life Vest / Personal Floatation Device

• Ring buoy
• Water Container
• Tire Interior Tube
• Styropore / Styrofoam box
• Surfboard
• Floating wood / lumber

SL 9-10
19
Whistle signal
•One blast ( - ) = stop, look at me, listen for instructions
•Two blasts ( __, - )= begin action agreed upon or indicated by
whistle blower
•Three blasts (-,-,- ) = distress, need help repetitive
Hand signals
•One arm in the air = (I need) HELP
•One hand on top of head = (I am) OK

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21
 PARTS OF THE ROPE
Bight
Working end

Standing part

Standing end Loop

Coil
SL 9-11
 BASIC KNOTS
• Square knot / Reef knot
• Figure of eight bend
• Sheet bend
• Clove hitch
• Bowline
• Body Bowline / Double Bowline
SL 9-12
STEPS OF A WATER-BASED RESCUE
• Use the fastest and most direct route to get
to a distressed swimmer.
• Have available and use floatation device.
• Have rescue equipment, keep it handy, and
know how to use it.

SL 9-13
DO: Reach to assist or throw a rope.

DON’T: Whatever you do, don't become

the next victim when trying to help

a drowning person.

SL 9-14
 Extension Assist
1. REACH – The easiest and most desirable form of
rescue is to reach out or extend an object to the person
in trouble.

SL 9-15
2.THROW and TOW – if the victim is too far away
to reach with anything, you may be able to use
this rescue technique to provide assistance

SL 9-16
Procedure:
•1. Chose a strategic spot to set up to throw bag.
•2. Get and keep eye contact with the subject.
•3. Aim for the subject’s head or slightly up river.
•4. Make a strong underhand throw when the subject is
in the target zone.
•5. carefully bring the subject to an “eddy” or the best
landing spot you can find.
•6. Be ready to make a second throw.
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SL 9-17
How to help a drowning person:
1. Stay Safe. Wear a personal flotation device if available. The
most important thing to remember is not to become a victim
yourself.
2. If more than one rescuer is available, have someone call for
help immediately. Remember, be sure to say your location
carefully and do not hang up until the emergency dispatcher tells
you to do so.
• Take a pole, oar, rope, or other object to reach the victim.
Rescuers should not attempt to directly touch a panicking
drowning victim.

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3. If the victim is conscious, try to reach the victim with
something rigid enough to pull him or her back. An oar,
branch of tree or wooden handle of broom is a good
option.
4. If nothing will reach, throw the victim a rope and
encourage him or her to grab on. A life-preserver with a
rope attached is a very good option.

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• 5. If the victim is too far for a rope, then there are
few additional options for untrained rescuers. Make
sure help (emergency number) has been called. If
enough people are available, try making a chain by
holding hands out to the victim. A rescuer may try
swimming out to the victim, but follow these steps:
• Tie a rope around the rescuer's waist before heading
out to the victim and have someone on shore or on a
nearby boat holding the rope.

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• 6. If the victim is unconscious, take a boat to the
victim or tie a rope around the rescuer's waist and let
the rescuer pull the victim to shore.
• 7. Once a drowning victim is safely out of the water,
perform basic first aid. In cold weather, remove the
victim's wet clothing - all the way. Cover the victim
with a blanket and watch for symptoms of
hypothermia. If the victim is not breathing, begin
CPR.

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• Tips:
• a) All victims of near drowning need medical attention. Water
in the lungs, even small amounts, can lead to them filling with
fluid later. Called "dry drowning," this condition can be fatal.
• b) Closely watch anyone who chokes on water while
swimming, especially if swimming in anything other than a
pool.
• c) If an unconscious victim is found in the water with no
witnesses, always assume the victim has a neck injury.

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Remember always: REACH,
THROW, but only GO with
training and equipment.

SL 9-18
• Shallow “Flood” Water Crossing
• 1. Do not enter deeper than your knees.
• 2. Have upstream spotters to watch for
floating debris.
• 3. Have downstream bag throwers as backup
plan.
• 4. Secure vehicle with stabilization line if
possible.
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• 5. Do not follow the stabilization line, it leads
to the reaction wave.
• 6. Take PFD and helmet for each subject.
• 7. Keep the formation headed straight into the
current.
• 8. Abort the attempt if formation is not totally
stable.

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• 9. Move laterally to the rear of the vehicle,
avoid the reaction wave.
• 10.Watch for instability of the vehicle.
• 11.If the vehicle appears stable, move up into
the eddy (B).

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• 12.Get the PFD and helmet correctly on each
subject.
• 13.Assist one subject into the pocket of the
“V” formation.
• 14.Move laterally to the safe bank.

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SHALLOW WATER CROSSING

SL 9-19
SL 9-20
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 42
SL 9-21
 OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

•List at least 5 common water emergencies and causes

•List and describe the types of water hazards.
•Demonstrate 6 knots used for joining and securing
•Demonstrate the 2 types of extension assist taught in the
CADRE course.
•Demonstrate how to wade through moving (shallow) water.
43