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Ice Rescue
In January 2007, Lieutenants Kurt Harms and Taining Liaison Daryl Stang of the Skokie Fire Department conducted an ice rescue training for all fire department personnel at the Skokie Park District's Emily Oaks Nature Center. The training consisted of an on-shore class session that covered all facets of ice rescue, incident management, scene safety, emergency medical considerations and rescue techniques. Following the class all personnel rotated through a hands-on drill practicing each of the different positions. Included was putting on the survival suits and getting in the 33 degree water to be rescuer as well as victim.
Here are pictures explaining the different steps in an ice rescue.
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Safety Officer - safety is always a top priority. Consequently, there are personnel assigned to monitor all facets of any incident whether it is a drill or a live situation. |
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Proper Technique - Firefighter George Smith is shown fully dressed in the cold water survival suit and attached to the rescue line. |
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Proper Rope Technique - the rescuer approaches the victim. He is demonstrating the correct way to hold the rope to prevent it from getting tangled. |
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Rolling into position - the rescuer lays on the ice and rolls towards the victim. This spreads the weight over a larger area, preventing the ice from breaking. |
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Preparing to enter - once the rescuer gets to the hole, he will approach from the side and talk to the victim to reassure them and give them direction. |
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Entering the water - the rescuer slides into the water and reaches around and clips the rescue rope in position. |
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Hauling the victim - once the rope is secured, the rescuer signals the on-shore personnel and they begin to haul the line. The rescuer boosts the victim out of the water and then follows behind, both being retrieved by the same line. |
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Rescuer free-floating - Firefighter Bob Reichert demonstrates the buoyancy and thermal protection afforded by the cold water survival suit. He could comfortably stay in the 33 degree water for thirty minutes or more. |
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