Resources
A collection of articles by leaders in the field of technical rescue.
Click for more on each article.
How many people drown in Canada each year?
The most recent Canadian statistics around drowning deaths are from a report by the Red Cross in 2003. It cites trends from 1991-2000 and examines drowning deaths by locations including lakes, rivers, boats, ice, pools, bathtubs etc.
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What responsibility do I have to provide training for those I supervise?
Employers, managers and supervisors have a personal responsibility defined under federal and provincial legislation to provide a safe working environment for those under their supervision. This responsibility moves all the way up the chain of command but starts at the “ground floor”, with anyone who has others under their direct supervision. In addition, employees have their own set of responsibilities and are required to follow the safety requirements established for their workplace, but this article focusses on the legal responsibilities of anyone who is responsible for the supervision of others.
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Relevant excerpts from provincial OSH legislation
Across Canada, provinces have legislation in place that puts the onus on employers to identify potential hazards in the workplace and then ensure their employees have the equipment, training and procedures in place in order to conduct their work safely. Legislation does not vary much from province-to-province and we have excerpted some particularly relevant sections from BC’s Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act.
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Federal Bill C-45 and its implications for employers
Since 2004, Canadian employers in both the public and private sector can be charged with criminal negligence for the actions (or lack of action) of a manager or supervisor who has failed to train their personnel to do their jobs in a safe manner. Bill C-45 is federal legislation that has particular relevance to those with personnel working in high risk environments like swiftwater, surface ice, confined space or with technical rope systems.
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WCB Guidelines for Cold Water Immersion
Guidelines for operations in cold water including proper personal protection equipment, considerations for self rescue, as well as information about cold shock and hypothermia. Targeted toward the offshore fishing industry but has some applicability for those working in swiftwater environments as well.
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Avoiding Foot Entrapment
On land, when you are in an emergency situation, your survival instinct is usually to stay on your feet so you’re prepared to maneuver out of the danger. When you’re in the water in an emergency, that same instinctive reaction can lead to one of the most deadly accidents: foot entrapment. From NRS e-news.
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Know the Ropes
An article by NRS (National River Supply) on the construction of rope appropriate for swiftwater rescue, including NFPA standards.
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Know the Knots
Our approach to rescue focusses on low-to high risk decision-making, and simple, fast techniques. When applied to rope work, there are a myriad of knots to know and ways to rig a system, but here are the basics we recommend for anyone working around swiftwater, surface ice or employing low and high angle rope systems.
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Safety Guide for Operations Over Ice
This Government of Canada guide specifies rules for safe operations on surface ice; provides information on the thickness of ice required to support moving and stationary loads; specifies methods for determining ice thickness and quality; and outlines approved methods for the preparation and maintenance of ice bridges.
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Basic Ice Safety
Every winter season, there are countless ice rescue incidents throughout Canada involving people, domestic pets, and livestock. So before you venture out on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers or creeks, review these basic guidelines. If you work on surface ice, be sure to review the federal Safety Guide for Operations Over Ice found elsewhere on this page.
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Tips on Creating First Aid Kits
There are many excellent first aid kits on the market today. Manufacturers have done their best to take into consideration many factors, from cost to the actual contents. That is why there are so many choices in style and content.
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Starting a Swiftwater Rescue Team
By Phil Turnbull, Rescue 3 International
Perched atop the brown Suburban sits little Emily, clutching the roof rack and calling for help while deafening water pounds past the semi-submerged car. How prepared are you to deal with this situation?
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The History of the PFD
By J. Michael Turnbull
Or perhaps we should be calling this key piece of personal protective equipment the “PFG”? This article examines how far the world has come since swimmers relied on inflated goat skins!
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Car in the Water
By Slim Ray, CFS Press
“Oh, God, this car is floating now. I’m going to get off the phone. This car is floating.” With that, Orlando Hudson, a 27-year-old carpenter, clicked off his mobile telephone and disappeared into the rising waters of Brush Creek.
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Moving Water and Ice - A Deadly Combination
By Slim Ray, CFS Press
These adverse conditions only add to the danger, difficulty and time available for a swiftwater rescue, so take these steps to significantly reduce your risk in locations with moving water and ice.
