Hi Folks ,
Our dive team recently had the opportunity to attend ice rescue classes presented by Lifeguard Systems for both surface ice rescue and scuba ice rescue. We came away very impressed with the comprehensive programs that they offer. In both classes the emphasis was on the safety and effectiveness of the rescue teams in real-world, bad-ice conditions.
Recognizing that in many cases the ice shelf that has already put a victim in the water may be unable to support a single rescuer, let alone a team, all operations were conducted from a safe vantage with minimal personnel on the ice. Those that did venture onto the ice, or what was left of it, were in full exposure suits and tethered to fixed points on the shore. All personnel that did go onto the ice were transported on MARSARs sleds or had one in tow, as conditions dictated. A pulley system was rigged that allowed immediate transport of personnel or equipment to the operating area on the ice in a matter of moments. Personnel on the ice operated from a prone position to help distribute their weight, or worked in the water, as may easily be necessary under some conditions.
Our divers and tenders learned to operate under some of the worst conditions imaginable, with tenders on the ice or in the water 100ft from shore, directing their divers under the ice shelf to locate and surface in ice holes another 75ft out. At that point the diver would again submerge, and under the guidance of the tender, locate the victim and return to the tenders hole, from which the victim was transported by sled to EMS personnel on the shore. The intensity of the training has left us confident that we will be able to adapt to almost any conceivable situation that we may face, providing maximum service to our community while assuring the safety and well being of our members.
Thanks to Butch and Andrea for putting together such incredible programs, assistant instructors Bryan and Matt for their knowledge and patience, and Ulster Hose for providing top notch facilities for the academic portion of our training. You guys do an incredible job and we look forward to the opportunity to train with you again.
Bill Pfeiffer
Nesconset FD SCUBA Rescue Team
Our dive team recently had the opportunity to attend ice rescue classes presented by Lifeguard Systems for both surface ice rescue and scuba ice rescue. We came away very impressed with the comprehensive programs that they offer. In both classes the emphasis was on the safety and effectiveness of the rescue teams in real-world, bad-ice conditions.
Recognizing that in many cases the ice shelf that has already put a victim in the water may be unable to support a single rescuer, let alone a team, all operations were conducted from a safe vantage with minimal personnel on the ice. Those that did venture onto the ice, or what was left of it, were in full exposure suits and tethered to fixed points on the shore. All personnel that did go onto the ice were transported on MARSARs sleds or had one in tow, as conditions dictated. A pulley system was rigged that allowed immediate transport of personnel or equipment to the operating area on the ice in a matter of moments. Personnel on the ice operated from a prone position to help distribute their weight, or worked in the water, as may easily be necessary under some conditions.
Our divers and tenders learned to operate under some of the worst conditions imaginable, with tenders on the ice or in the water 100ft from shore, directing their divers under the ice shelf to locate and surface in ice holes another 75ft out. At that point the diver would again submerge, and under the guidance of the tender, locate the victim and return to the tenders hole, from which the victim was transported by sled to EMS personnel on the shore. The intensity of the training has left us confident that we will be able to adapt to almost any conceivable situation that we may face, providing maximum service to our community while assuring the safety and well being of our members.
Thanks to Butch and Andrea for putting together such incredible programs, assistant instructors Bryan and Matt for their knowledge and patience, and Ulster Hose for providing top notch facilities for the academic portion of our training. You guys do an incredible job and we look forward to the opportunity to train with you again.
Bill Pfeiffer
Nesconset FD SCUBA Rescue Team
