So we ask members and public to monitor information in the news and around them.  If they live in a flood plain and near a river, check with the environment agency and weather service.  Try to predict any flood situations taking precautions where you can. You may help the public to evacuate and move to higher ground.  Advise them that they should not try to cross fast moving water. 

You may also help with sandbagging and putting obstacles to prepare homes and communities against flooding.  We also have had to help stock pile and transport water and baby formula to those stranded – whether in their homes or on their boats.  You may have to teach them to take precautions against diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, etc. 

You may have to ask them to leave their home or to go home – when you get notice of impending floods in the area.  Some will not want to and many will have nowhere to go.  If floods occur quickly – then you are rushing against the clock.
 
When there is time and it is possible - some of the basic resilience and community assistance you may give during the floods is just to do certain things like stop pile essentials. Like get extra food and water in. If they have infants – more baby formula or food, etc.  At this point we are not talking about a wave like when a dam breaks or there is a massive water rush. Some things you can help and prepare for.  You may advise, with the agreement of other emergency services, to do or not do certain things that would help or hinder the situation. 

 

For example:

Sometime people get caught out in their cars. Abandon a stalled car in rapidly rising waters

 

Some advise you may need to give:
• Advise people in cars in flood water not to drive through. 
I have seen vehicles stall and get stuck in less than a foot of water.
• Advise them to be alert to signs of flooding and rising water levels.
• Avoid route that are known for local flooding.
• Tell the public not to drive around barricades (they are there for safety)
• Keep some safety and survival items in the car like a coat if you get caught out.
• If their car stalls in rapidly rising waters, tell them to just abandon it…
….Then immediately and try to get to higher ground.
• Advise them to call the Authorities if help needed.

 

All these bits of advice may help mitigate against the need for ‘water rescue.’

WATER ENVIRONMENTS
In the UK the Fire and Rescue services basically refer to three types of water environment, Still water, Tidal water and Fast-flowing water. All three types present similar and different hazards.

 
Still water risks
These will be found inland at various locations and will include stagnant flood areas, lakes and ponds.

 

Tidal water risks
Tidal water may also include inshore waters.

 

The state of the tide may be a factor for the Incident Commander in considering his Dynamic Risk Assessment in terms of:

• Distance to the water’s surface from the bank.
• The speed and direction of the flow.
• Wave, wind direction, the tide and currents.
• The speed with which a rising or falling tide will move across the ground. This will be determined by the gradient.

 

Fast - flowing water risks
These will include all the various rivers and streams found in the deployment area. In these cases the speed of the water flow will be a major hazard.

In all three types of water environment, there may be:-

• Still or flatwater
• Flowing water < 4 mph
• Flowing water >4 mph (Swiftwater)

There is a progressions in SAR for water response. 

We summarised them below for lay rescuers around water.

 

1. Signal & Shout
2. Reach
3. Throw
4. Wade
5. Row (Rescue Boat)
6. Go 

 

Many a well intended bystander has jumped in first to help someone drowning only to drown themselves.  The first best place for you is not in the water.  You could should and signal for help and see what they can grab if they are able. 

You might be able to reach them with a pole of throw a life ring or throw line to them… (we even tell children, throw a football or something for them to hold on to whilst you call for help or look for a boat!)
The last thing is to wade in shallow non-moving water or go in a rescue boat. ONLY those members trained in water rescue techniques who understand this dangerous medium, should enter the water.

 

 

How to throw a throw line
SAR members should practise using the throwline way before you ever need it near water.  And you should throw the throwbag when you get it if possible before you need it.  This is easily practised on dry land by asking a team member to stand 40 feet or so in front of you and deploying the throwbag over their head for them to grab. 

 

You can throw underarm, sidewind or over arm. Our general preference is underarm.

Pulling the Swimmer In:
Once the swimmer has grabbed the rope, they should hold it across their chest and swim on their back to keep their airway clear.  You should lower your centre of gravity by dropping a knee and pulling them in.  If in swiftwater, another team member will come behind you and grab the top of your pfd at the shoulders to support and prevent you from being pulled in.  (The water would be really powerful.)

Recovering victim:
When you can you may be able to swing them into an eddy or pull them right to you.  Care should be taken in bringing them to the bank, shore or in your boat.

Bonus
Our rescue teams have to recoil and throw a second time within 20 seconds if the first one is not acceptable.

Repacking:
After use, repack the bag by feeding the rope back in top the throwbag.  (Air dry it out first if you are putting it away.)  Don’t coil the rope first and be careful not to cause kinks and knots in the rope which would prevent good use and deployment next time.