Self Rescue in a Cold Self Rescue in a Cold Water EnvironmentWater Environment

IASST Conference IASST Conference 22 May 200622 May 2006

Sydney, Nova ScotiaSydney, Nova Scotia

Who needs to prepare?Who needs to prepare?• Anyone who works on or over waterAnyone who works on or over water• Not just the ocean!Not just the ocean!• Lakes, ponds, riversLakes, ponds, rivers• Includes snowmobile operators Includes snowmobile operators

(Why?)(Why?)

Who needs to prepare?Who needs to prepare?

Who needs to prepare?Who needs to prepare?

Training issuesTraining issues• Initial courses (i.e. M.E.D.)Initial courses (i.e. M.E.D.)• Continued proficiencyContinued proficiency• TC 24/25 regulationsTC 24/25 regulations• Quality/frequency of drills held Quality/frequency of drills held

aboard the vesselaboard the vessel• Assigned duties – muster listAssigned duties – muster list

RNLIRNLI

Equipment issues - trainingEquipment issues - training• Lifeboat Lifeboat • Liferaft launch and boardingLiferaft launch and boarding• Immersion suitsImmersion suits• Use of flaresUse of flares

Training use of FlaresTraining use of Flares

Liferaft trainingLiferaft training

Voyage preparationVoyage preparation• Pre-departure checklistPre-departure checklist• Weather infoWeather info• Sail/float planSail/float plan• PFD / LifejacketPFD / Lifejacket

Sudden immersionSudden immersion

Immersion recovery - Immersion recovery - parbucklingparbuckling

Immersion recovery - Immersion recovery - parbucklingparbuckling

Rescue FrameRescue Frame

Rescue frameRescue frame

Post immersion carePost immersion care• First Aid First!First Aid First!• Readily available equipmentReadily available equipment• Seek shelterSeek shelter• Signal for help (Sail plan)Signal for help (Sail plan)• Stay as dry as possibleStay as dry as possible

Other issuesOther issues• Rescue reluctance (fear of Rescue reluctance (fear of

authorities)authorities)• Equipment updating/replacementEquipment updating/replacement• Snowmobiling – lack of regulationsSnowmobiling – lack of regulations• Traditional/cultural attitudesTraditional/cultural attitudes

Thanx!Thanx!• ““An ounce of prevention is worth a An ounce of prevention is worth a

pound of cure”pound of cure”

• ““28g of prevention is worth .45 a kilo 28g of prevention is worth .45 a kilo of cure”of cure”