Water Rescue Training
The water rescue courses offered by Technical Rescue International are at the forefront of technical water rescue. We have a range of courses suited to your needs and world class instructors to guide delegates from an awareness of water through to instructor level.
Our water rescue training programme is divided into 5 modules.
Water Rescue Programme Modules 1-5
Water Awareness Training (Module 1 DEFRA)
This training is designed to make responders aware of the hazards associated with water and the flooded environment. The dangers of working near water are explained and basic safety measures are introduced. The session includes awareness of water-related hazards, water hydrology, typical water and flood search and rescue scene organisation, principles of water safety, varying rescue options including low to high risk options and introduction to basic water safety. The training is split into separate units that cover the essential knowledge and understanding, plus the awareness of practical application rescue techniques.
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The aim of this course is to provide the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable delegates to operate safely on or near water.
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Successful completion of the course will enable delegates to fulfil the following outcomes according to current legislation, regulations and recognised standards;
Understand organisational policies and the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations modules.
Identification of the basic characteristics and hazards of the water environment:
Water temperature; current/flow; pollution/contamination; public, bystanders; moral pressure; training; equipment; locks; weirs; ice, mud and other unstable surfaces; access; entrapment; debris; casualty (human and animal); noise; communications; visibility; time of day/year; tide; effects of weather; changeable water conditions; other water users, vessels etc.
Safety measures when working near water:
Understand the defensive swimming position; understand the concept of zoning near to the water.
Awareness of the physiological effects of entry into cold water:
Cold water reflex; short and long term effects
Have an appreciation of the physiology of drowning
Have an appreciation of the difficulties associated with rescues from ice, mud and other unstable surfaces
Understanding of the limitations of non-water rescue PPE in various water environments: Cold; drag; weight; helmets; self-rescue/recovery; breathing apparatus sets; clothing worn by non-water equipped personnel
Have an understanding of flowing water hydrology: Eddies; force of water; strainers; main current; helical/laminar flow; flood water
Awareness of the range and limitations of PPE: Life jackets; Buoyancy Aids; Ancillary equipment
Have a knowledge of the prioritised approach to rescue attempts: Understanding of talk, reach and throw techniques; Awareness of row and go hazards
Demonstrate the use of throw bags: Design and limitations; care and maintenance; dry land practice (in bag and loose coiled); Receiving the throw line as casualty
Night Operations: Awareness of hazards and limitations of night operations
Flood: Awareness of hazards associated with flooded areas
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1 Day
Water Rescue First Responder (Module 2 DEFRA)
The module introduces water rescue equipment including its safe and effective use and progressively develops the student to be confident in and around water. As well as learning how to read the water, the student will practice non-buoyant rescues including wading rescues and self-rescue techniques appropriate to the risk, bank based rescues and shallow water crossings. The session will also provide an awareness of unstable surface hazards such as mud and ice which may also be encountered at water and flood incidents.
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The aim of this course is to provide the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable delegates to identify their limitations and safely and effectively use appropriate water rescue equipment, whilst operating near or in moving water appropriate to the limits of a non-buoyant rescuer.
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Successful completion of the course will enable delegates to fulfil the following outcomes according to current legislation, regulations and recognised standards;
Demonstrate water rescue scene management and dynamic assessment of risk Understand the limitations of the water rescue wading responder capability; rescue team organisation; communication systems including hand, audible and radio; hazard recognition and preplanning; risk and incident zones; incident management structure; team roles and responsibilities.
Identify and apply the role of the First Responder within the incident management structure: Incident management structure; team health, safety and welfare.
Apply a working knowledge of hydrology and associated hazards: Recognition of water features and their impact.
Have an understanding of search procedures in the water environment: When and how to search; types of search, deployment of teams; sectors, point last seen and areas of possible detection.
Identify and use appropriate PPE: Types of PPE; donning and doffing; care maintenance and inspection; record keeping.
Demonstrate self-rescue from water Understand and apply relevant rescue techniques: Talk, reach, throw; first responders to only demonstrate talk, reach, throw.
Have a working knowledge of specialist rescue equipment within team: Inflatable adjuncts; ropes for water rescue; technical hardware; unstable ground equipment.
Demonstrate techniques for movement in shallow water: Supported crossing (poles / tethers); 1-2-3 person teams; wedge and line astern; casualty crossing.
Have a working knowledge of casualty management issues specific to the water environment
Medical problems associated with water
Identify and explain an understanding of the hazards and implications associated with:- Entrapment - supporting tag lines, use of cinches Mud and Ice - characteristics, medical issues, extrication techniques, contamination Locks and Sluices - characteristics, design / hydrology, specific rescue techniques Vehicles and objects in water - behaviour, hydrology, access and stabilisation techniques with flood rescue equipment and safety considerations. Animals - hazards and safety protocols
Identify and explain the additional hazards and difficulties associated with working in darkness and reduced visibility and application of suitable control measures: Equipment issues; lighting; additional marking requirements; audible signals.
Raft/Sled Use of sled as an evacuation device during wading operations, not used as a platform for water and flood first responders to work from or as a means of movement.
Search Awareness of search techniques and capabilities.
Flood : Awareness of flooding and associated hazards; pollution; location and incident specific hazards; topography
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2 Days
Swift Water & Flood Rescue Technician (Module 3 DEFRA)
This module is aimed at selected search and rescue personnel. The module introduces appropriate water rescue equipment including its safe and effective use and progressively develops an individual to be confident in, on and around moving water. As well as learning how to read the water, an individual will spend time swimming, practicing self-rescue techniques and performing in- and on-water rescues as part of a rescue team.
The syllabus also includes boat / pathway handling, basic rope rescue techniques and consideration of still water and unstable ground hazards such as mud and ice.
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To train responders to identify their limitations and safely and effectively use appropriate water rescue equipment, whilst operating near, on, or in fast moving water.
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Successful completion of the course will enable delegates to fulfil the following outcomes according to current legislation, regulations and recognised standards;
Demonstrate water rescue scene management and dynamic assessment of risk. Understand the limitations of the role; rescue team organisation; communication systems; Hazard recognition and preplanning; risk and incident zones; Incident Management Structure including providing tactical advice; team health, safety and welfare.
Identify and apply the role of the water and flood rescue technician within the Incident Management Structure. Team health, safety and welfare; team roles and responsibilities
Apply a working knowledge of hydrology and associated hazards: Recognition of water features and their impact.
Have an understanding of search procedures in the water environment: When and how to search; types of search; deployment of teams; sectors; point last seen and areas of possible detection.
Identify and use appropriate PPE: Types; standards; donning and doffing; care maintenance and inspection; record keeping.
Demonstrate swimming and manoeuvring in moving water: Ferry glide concept; negotiating obstacles; entry – egress; defensive swimming; aggressive swimming; tethered swims.
Understand and apply relevant rescue techniques: Talk; reach; throw; row; go / tow; helicopter.
Have a working knowledge of basic boat handling by paddle & rope systems: Types and suitability of systems; safety briefings; helming skills; tethered boat options; paddling skills; wading skills. Demonstrate capsize drill skills in a suitable boat or raft and have awareness in powered boat operations in preparation for operating with or being transported by a team type B.
Demonstrate rigging & operating of rope systems: Equipment; anchors; tensioned diagonals; tensioning lines; efficient 3:1 mechanical advantage; knots and hitches.
Have a working knowledge of specialist rescue equipment (where in use by organisation): Inflatable adjuncts; ropes for water rescue; technical hardware; unstable ground equipment.
Demonstrate techniques for movement in shallow water: Supported crossing (poles/tethers); 1-2-3 in teams; wedge and line astern; casualty crossing.
Awareness of flooding and associated hazards: Pollution; location and incident specific hazards; topography.
Demonstrate casualty management issues specific to the water environment: Medical problems associated with water; in-water spinal care considerations; managing the non-compliant casualty.
Identify and explain an understanding of the hazards and implications associated with:- Entrapment - supporting tag lines, use of cinches; mud and ice - characteristics, medical issues, extrication techniques. Contamination Locks and Sluices – characteristics; design / hydrology; specific rescue techniques.
Vehicles and objects in water – behaviour; hydrology; access and stabilisation techniques with flood rescue equipment and safety considerations. Working with helicopters - availability and access; hazards and safety protocols. Animals - hazards and safety protocols.
Identify and explain the additional hazards and difficulties associated with working in darkness and reduced visibility and application of suitable control measures: Equipment issues; lighting, additional marking requirements; audible signals.
Search: Demonstrate search techniques
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5 Days
Swift Water & Flood Rescue Boat Operator (Module 4 DEFRA)
This module is aimed at selected search and rescue personnel who are required to operate a powered craft for a range of activities as part of a crew. The module develops Module 3 Water & Flood Rescue Technicians to be able to operate a powered craft in a variety of waters, including still, moving and flood. The module covers basic and advanced boat rescue operations, such as casualty pickups, throw lines, evacuations and includes night search and rescue activities.
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To train technicians to identify their limitations and safely and effectively use powered boats and associated equipment in inland waters and flooding, by day or night, in a wide range of water conditions.
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Individuals will demonstrate their ability to perform skills completed during the RYA Level 2 National Powerboat Course including:
Pre-launch checks,
Launching,
Leaving and coming alongside,
Low and high speed manoeuvring,
Picking up a buoy,
Anchoring,
Towing,
Person overboard and recovery of boat.
IRPCS/Rules of the Road
Basic Fault Finding
Emergency Procedures
Demonstrate boat handling in swift water:
Identification of safe launching sites and bail-out sites
Launch & recovery into swift water
Recognition of moving water characteristics & hazards
Vessel limitations
Hull damage, watertight integrity & free surface water effect
Anchoring,
Veering down/Controlled boat lower
Holding station
Stemming the flow and ferry gliding
Use of water features, including eddy currents, lees & wash-outs
Identify the hazards and operate in shallow water
Manoeuvring in swift water, including running with the flow, moving aft over ground, power turns
Closing/bearing away
Coming alongside moving vessels,
Suction effects and pressure waves
Closing down procedures – returning equipment
Reporting faults & problems
Paddle boat handling:
Use of paddles to manoeuvre and control the craft, in both still and moving water.
Capsize avoidance and recovery
Search and rescue operations from powered craft:
Safety equipment, communication with crew & other agencies
Search techniques & incident management
Methods of recovering personnel from water and techniques for lifting heavy casualties including extended reach rescue & throw line rescues
Swimmer operations (including recovery of rescue swimmer)
Use of loaded lines
Tandem working (e.g. two boats operating together whilst attached by a line)
Twin boat working (e.g. two boats operating together in the same sector or carrying out rescues by use of protected boat etc.)
Towing & being towed – astern tow and alongside tow, length of tow lines, position to pass a tow, using a bridle, towing alongside, casting off a tow
Approaching, righting and dealing with entrapments from capsized vessels
Dealing with entrapments and capsize of own vessel
Awareness of rescue from vehicles and operating a boat around a vehicle in water (achievable using suitable object providing similar hydrology)
Mass evacuation and use of lily pads
Helicopter rescue procedures
Use of navigation systems
Use of other specialist equipment
Boat handling and Search and Rescue during darkness and poor lighting conditions:
Practical application of skills in darkness and poor light
Demonstrate ability at keeping a proper lookout and identifying lit & unlit marks and hazard at night
Students to conduct a search and rescue scenario during darkness
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4 Days
Water & Flood Incident Manager (Module 5 DEFRA)
This module is aimed at selected search and rescue personnel who are required to command and manage water and flood incidents at a tactical or operational level. The module covers water and flood specific incident command considerations, rescue, evacuation and search considerations and explores single and multiple incident scenarios.
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To train commanders to identify, select, develop and manage appropriate tactical and operational plans in water and flood environments.
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Successful completion of the course will enable delegates to fulfil the following outcomes according to current legislation, regulations and recognised standards;
Demonstrate an understanding for the considerations related to Incident Management
Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Incident Management and of that from other key stakeholders.
Demonstrate an understanding the requirements of effective risk management within operational and tactical activities and deployments.
Demonstrate an understanding of health and safety considerations, Dynamic Risk Assessment and the challenges of risk appetite in relation to decision-making and the management of “mission creep” in a water and flood environment.
Demonstrate an understanding of the need for effective lines of communication at incidents and show the skills required for an initial response for an incident.
Demonstrate an understanding of the various stages of an incident and the ability to effectively close down an incident.
Demonstrate an understanding of the need for clear effective briefing, debriefing and handovers during an operational incident.
Demonstrate an understanding and identify the considerations when managing a scene of crime or body recovery.
Have a working knowledge of welfare considerations and actions required when managing multiple water and flood rescue teams.
Demonstrate an understanding of national water safety policies, guidance and training standards.
Demonstrate an understanding of the Defra Flood Rescue Concept of Operations.
Demonstrate an understanding of the levels of water rescue PPE and their associated uses and applications.
Demonstrate understanding of search management techniques relevant in the water and flood environment.
Have an understanding of search, rescue and evacuation capabilities.
Have an understanding of flood management commonalities such as: accessing and interpreting weather and flood warnings, flood warning schemes, multi-agency working, rainfall prediction, flood development, hazard identification and deployment of crews.
Have an understanding of resources available, capabilities and team limitations.
Demonstrate understanding of the Civil Contingencies Act, responders and categories.
Demonstrate an understanding of local water rescue resources available, capabilities and limitations.
Demonstrate understanding and skills required for incident planning & ensuring appropriate documentation and post-incident considerations.
Have an awareness of the skills required for media management.
Demonstrate understanding of all skills in-line with FRCO standards, including training, capabilities & limitations.
Have an understanding of hazards and limitations of night operations.
Demonstrate an understanding of hazards associated to the flooded urban and rural environment and an awareness of the credentialing process
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4 Days