Standard Practice for Single Person Cold Water Survival/Rescue Technique: HELP Position

Importancia y uso:

3.1 This practice establishes a single person cold water survival/rescue procedure.

3.2 All persons who are identified as water rescuers shall meet the requirements of this practice.

3.3 This practice is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; and rescue teams and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to water emergencies.

3.4 A rescuer needs to be wearing a personal flotation device to perform this technique. These devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable condition.

3.5 A water rescuer sometimes may be immersed in cold water for prolonged periods of time. They are unable to get to shore or shore is too far away, rescue is not imminent, no boat is available to get into or on top of, and no flotsam is available. The water rescuer needs to assume a defensive posture to conserve heat and increase survival time.

Subcomité:

F32.02

Volúmen:

13.02

Número ICS:

13.200 (Accident and disaster control), 47.080 (Small craft)

Palabras clave:

cold water survival; Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) position; self-rescue technique; water rescue; water rescuers ;