I’ve been editing footage from classes last spring, and found some clips from an SRT / SRT-A in Coloma, CA where we were able to get hands-on canal rescue training in a canal. It was my first time training in a canal, and I got to see firsthand why they are so dangerous. First, the water was cold; colder than any place I’ve taught, including snow-filled courses in Yosemite and Jackson Hole, Wy. Secondly, the velocity of the water was deceptive, and though it appeared mellow and inviting, it was powerful and hazardous. Getting out? Self Rescue? As a result of the bank to bank current velocity, I could get to the edge of the canal, but could not get out without help.

So how can responders help a victim in a canal without putting themselves in the water? Several rope methods exist in the industry, and these videos demonstrate one of them. The collapsing loop cinch is fast, easy to deploy, and doesn’t require much gear. More importantly it keeps the rescuers out of the water. Two people, two throwbags, and two carabiners is all you need to execute the Collapsing Loop Canal Cinch. The best Part? It works! fire departments in Southern California have had successful saves using a variation of this technique. Check it out. Be aware that this rope technique is hazardous both rescuers and the victim. There is no way to “quick release” this cinch. Once you’ve got them, you’ve got them. Practice this on dry land before deploying it for in-water training.

Canal Rescue 1

Canal Rescue

Setting up the collapsing loop cinch.

1. River Right responder throws his rope bag to river left

2. River Left responder throws his rope bag to river right

3. Using two carabiners, each responder clips the end of the bag that was thrown to them onto the rope they are holding (the rope they started with) Make sure to hold onto the carabiners on both sides

4. Responders take up slack on both sides

5. Responders open the loop that spans the channel so that one rope is at the water level, and one is above the water

6. When the victim approaches, rescuers direct him/her to reach up toward the upper rope

7. When inside the loop, responders let go of the carabiners and pull the lines to close the loop

8. Victim will be stuck mid current unless one side gives slack on their line to let the victim pendulum to shore

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. As I’ve said before, the opportunity we have at Sierra Rescue to work in Yosemite National Park is amazing, and it is one of my favorite places to teach. This post gives a shout out to our SRT-1 / SRT-A students from this past spring. We set up a big tension diagonal right in front of Bridal Veil Falls. As with most large-scale operations, this exercise required good communication, proper allocation of resources, and it all started with the ability to cross a line. The line-crossing method we chose to use was an early prototype of my experimental design, but it worked on the first shot! Check out the gallery for a frame by frame sequence of the set up. Thanks for the great photos Adam Farmer.

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Sierra Rescue is proud to offer California State Fire Marshal Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations & River and Flood Water Rescue courses! These courses are accredited by the California State Fire Marshal’ Office for the Fire Service Training and Education Program. Participants will receive their FSTEP certificates upon completion of the course.

But, it gets even better! Since these California State Fire Marshal courses will be taught in conjunction with Rescue 3 International courses, participants will have an opportunity to get TWO certifications for taking ONE course!

The Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations will be taught with our Technical Rope Rescue: Operations Level course. This will give participants an opportunity to receive both their California State Fire Marshal FSTEP certification as well as a Rescue 3 International’s certification. This course meets the requirements of NFPA 1670 standard for Operations level for technical rope incidents.

The California State Fire Marshal River and Flood Water Rescue course will be taught with our Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT-1). This provides an opportunity to get both your California State Fire Marshal FSTEP certificate as well as Rescue 3 International’s SRT-1 certification. This course meets the requirements of NFPA 1670 Standard for Operations level Technical Rescue Incidents and the NFPA 1006 Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications in the area of water.

Getting your qualifications and certifications has never been easier! All Rescue 3 International certifications are recognized world-wide and are good for 3 years. Participants can re-new their Rescue 3 TRR:OL and SRT-1 certifications for half price! Or, if you want to take your swiftwater certification to the next level, you can take our Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced (SRT-A) course! The SRT-A course automatically re-certs your Swiftwater Rescue Technician – 1.

Abigail Polsby, Sierra Rescue/Rescue 3 West’s lead Rescue Swimmer Instructor, is teaching an Rescue Swimmer course in Elk Grove, CA!

The Rescue Swimmer Basic is the core of the new Rescue 3 Rescue Swimmer program. This class is aimed for students rescuing in an inland open water environment such as lakes or ponds of various sizes, as well as flatwater rivers and park waterfronts. This class is a must do for lifeguards, firefighters, EMTs, park rangers, biologists, Department of Fish & Game, Forest Service employees, professional rescuers and even recreational water enthusiasts who have flatwater in and around where they work and play!! The class is lots of fun, hands on, and scenario based like all Sierra Rescue courses!

The RS will help rescuers improve their swimming technique, practice victim management and rescue, and introduce swimmer adjuncts. A strong emphasis is also placed on dealing with victims in the open water environment including rescue interventions and medical management. Students will practice shore and boat based open water search techniques, recovery of submerged victims, towing and managing combative and unconscious victims, and using floating backboards and adjuncts to perform successful rescues!

There is no requirement for the RS other than desire to learn and some comfort swimming in water. The first day of the class is spent in a swimming pool practicing swimming technique, learning about adjuncts and going over basic skills. The second day is in an open water environment and will focus on using the skills developed during the first day to preform real open water searches and rescues!