MFRI BULLETIN PLUNGING INTO SWIFTWATER RESCUE TRAINING

Dry suits and boots on, life jackets zipped, helmets fastened, 16 students braved the whitewater kayak course on the C&O Canal in Bethesda, Maryland taking part in MFRI’s Swiftwater Rescue Technician class.

On the first day of training in early April, the morning temperatures hovered in the low 40’s. “This is nature’s territory,” said instructor and lieutenant at Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Vince Verdadero, as the students partnered up, inspecting each other’s gear before diving into the 43-degree water to drill their first rescue.

“You want to jump in the water heading upstream and face the victim away from you so the victim can’t kick or push you away,” explained instructor Steve Hardesty, who is also Battalion Chief at the Emergency Services Bureau in Howard County. “Heavy rains often require water rescue,” said Hardesty. “In Howard County, we too often have to pick people out of their cars as the waters rise.”

During the week-long course, students repeatedly returned to the rapids learning a host of rescue techniques. One of the more difficult challenges was getting over the strainer. In swiftwater rescue, a strainer is any object that water can flow through but a swimmer or boat cannot; such as cars, fences, trees, debris. If a fence is in the water, rescuers have to go over it since they won’t be able to gauge how deep it may go and face possible entrapment. continued page 5

Students also practiced rope rescue techniques, anchoring lines on both sides of the water so responders can clip in and rescue victims. They also used rigid inflatable rescue boats, honing paddling skills and working together to right the boats in a simulated capsize event.

The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland is the state’s comprehensive training and education system for all-hazard responses. The Institute plans, researches, develops and delivers quality programs to prepare agencies and individuals to protect life, the environment and property.

Bulletin Staff

Editor: Diane May

Managing Editor: Jennifer Ginn

Graphics: Ana Maizel

Assistant Editor: Jenna Robles

Contact MFRI tel: 301-226-9921 fax: 301-314-0752 www.mfri.org bulletin@mfri.org

The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Bulletin (MFRI) University of Maryland (ISSN 1074-2298) is published quarterly by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Periodical postage paid at College Park, MD 20740. Postmaster: Send address changes to Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Bulletin, 4500 Campus Drive, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742.

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