Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual PDF

Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Chapter 13 Operations Skills 13-1 OBJECTIVES This chapter provides basic guidelines for specific rescue operations skills. Upon completion of this chapter, the trainee shall be able to demonstrate knowledge of and/or competency in:  Use of Portable Fire Extinguishe...

Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Chapter 13 Operations Skills 13-1 OBJECTIVES This chapter provides basic guidelines for specific rescue operations skills. Upon completion of this chapter, the trainee shall be able to demonstrate knowledge of and/or competency in:  Use of Portable Fire Extinguisher  Structural Search and Rescue  Casualty Management  Rescue from Vehicles and Mobile Equipment o Stabilizing vehicles o Access  Supplementary Mine Rescue Response Training USE OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is a key component of emergency response. It would be impossible to simulate every fire that may be encountered, as many other risks and hazards may be present. The following basic steps will work for most fires: 1. Determine the class, size, and phase of the fire. Select the extinguisher accordingly. 2. Quickly check the extinguisher before attempting to use it. Look for significant external damage. 3. Prepare the extinguisher, pull out the pin, or pressurize the cartridge type before approaching the fire. 4. Perform a quick test by activating trigger to determine functionality and wind direction if applicable. 5. Approach the fire from the upwind side (wind at your back), monitor wind change, and adapt if necessary. 6. Advance slowly and maintain a safe distance from the fire at all times. 7. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. 8. Squeeze the nozzle trigger to discharge. 9. Use a rapid sweeping motion to ensure the extinguishing agent reaches the base of the fire. 10. Overlap the flame edge of the fire. 11. Ensure the fire is extinguished. 12. Do not turn your back on a fire. Slowly back away and be prepared for re-ignition. 13. Set a fire watch. Certain fires and conditions may require specific techniques, such as extinguishing ignited pressurized gas vapour. SEARCH AND RESCUE Structural search and rescue involves entering a building experiencing hazardous conditions to ensure the safety of those inside. The purpose of structural search and rescue is to:  Locate and remove trapped occupants  Locate hazards (e.g., seat of the fire, fire extension, sources of toxic atmosphere)  Identify and apply controls (ventilation, close doors/windows, fire suppression) 13-2 Structural entry  Identify and establish access and egress points  Identify hazards (check doors, windows for heat, smoke, signage, contents)  Gaining access through doors, windows, walls, forcible entry Basic door entry Rescuers will encounter closed doors during their searches. Before entering any structure or room, rescuers must:  Check door, knobs/handles and hinges for heat and thermal line  Observe and assess for any smoke/fire  Determine entry by the direction in which the door swings. Keep low, open the door slowly, and be aware of the potential for backdraft. Interior search and rescue  Primary searches are conducted in the most critical areas first.  Secondary searches are conducted after initial fire suppression/ventilation.  Both searches follow a systematic search pattern. For example, the left- or right-handed search. STANDARD SEARCH PROCEDURE Mine rescue teams must follow certain protocols and procedures so that they can respond to emergencies as efficiently and safely as possible. Search teams are a fundamental part of these procedures. Teams consist of:  A minimum of two personnel  A rapid intervention team (RIT or back-up) on standby, established before entry  Equipment (hand light, gas detection equipment, breathing apparatus, entry tool, thermal imaging camera if available) Fig 13-1: Standard search procedure for one- and two-search team arrangements 13-3 The Primary Search is a rapid, systematic search of the following:  Most severely threatened areas  Area with largest number of casualties  Remainder of hazard zone  Extension exposures Secondary searches are thorough, systematic searches that ensure the entire structure is free of casualties and hazards. When possible, different personnel from those who performed the primary search should be used so that new sets of eyes can assess the scene. Fig 13-2: Areas to cover in the primary search, in priority order Search patterns ensure that rescuers do not get lost or disoriented during a search. The team captain will determine which direction to use (left or right hand) prior to entering a structure. Search patterns will follow the walls until they return to the starting point. If rescuers keep turning in the original direction as they go in and out of rooms and arrive at the entry point, they have completed a search.  If rescuers encounter a casualty or a problem during the search, they must reverse the direction they used upon entry to exit the structure.  While performing the search, rescuers must maintain visual, tactile, or verbal communication to keep track of each other.  Team members can extend their reach by using tools.  How rescuers move will depend on the conditions found in the search area. For example, in smoke conditions, rescuers would crawl and move cautiously. Areas to be searched  Bathrooms, closets, and the spaces behind and under furniture should be checked.  Check areas near windows for casualties overcome while attempting to reach a window. Indicating that a room has been searched  Close the door  Indicate the room has been searched. Some examples are: o Mark an “x” on the door o If unable to close the door, place a chair behind the door so that the legs are pointing outwards o Communicate to command that a room has been searched 13-4 CASUALTY MANAGEMENT Locating, retrieving, and tending to casualties is the second fundamental principal of mine rescue operations. There are three types of casualties:  Casualties already outside the hazard area o These casualties must be accounted for, given medical treatment as required, and removed to a safe zone  Casualties attempting to leave the hazard area o These casualties must be secured, warned of hazards, and directed to safety  Casualties trapped, unconscious, or otherwise unable to leave the hazard area o Rescuers will prioritize according to primary search principles Injured casualties should not be moved before treatment is provided unless there is an immediate danger to the casualty or rescue team. Triage, a system of priority-based casualty management, is an essential component of multiple-casualty incidents. EXTRICATION FROM VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT This section provides an overview for rescuing casualties trapped in vehicles. The skills below can also be applied to extrication from stationary equipment. Prior to any work being done, hazards must be identified and controlled. Rescuers should never place themselves in a pinch point or danger zone while stabilizing. They must also be aware of vehicle airbags that have not deployed during a motor vehicle incident. After size up but before any other extrication activities, rescuers must stabilize the vehicle(s) and isolate potential energy sources, such as a raised box or boom. Stabilization is the process of providing additional support between an entrapping object (e.g., a vehicle) and the ground or other solid anchor points to prevent unwanted movement. This ensures the safety of the rescuers and prevents further injury to the casualties. Vehicles should be stabilized to prevent both vertical and horizontal movement. Stabilization can be achieved using lifting bags, wood, tie down straps, ropes, jacks, cribbing, wheel chocks, or other specialized equipment. Gaining Access Access to a casualty can be gained through:  A normal operating door  A window  Removing parts or sections of the vehicle body Shut Down Electrical Systems Rescuers must shut down all electrical systems within the vehicle to prevent complications such as movement and combustion. The main components are:  Lock out/Isolation points  Disconnecting batteries  Removing keys from ignition 13-5 Casualty Protection and Removal It is critical to protect, monitor, and communicate with the casualty throughout the extrication. The guiding principle for extrication is to remove the vehicle from around the casualty. Extrication can be accomplished with basic hand tools or power tools. Rescuers should be trained in the proper operation of the available tools. Casualties must be properly packaged before extrication unless their lives are in immediate danger. SUPPLEMENTARY RESCUE TECHNIQUES Supplemental training is needed to respond to various rescue situations, as identified by site-specific hazard identification procedures. These skills are beyond the scope of this manual. Some of these skills are listed below:  Communications/command structure  Forcible Entry  Fast water and ice rescue  Vehicle extrication  Avalanche response  Heavy equipment operation  Confined spaces/hazardous  Underground emergency operations atmospheres  Environmental (wildland fires) and  Hazardous materials/nuclear response wildlife  Blasting procedures  Aircraft rescue and firefighting  Technical rope rescue  Site-specific fire response  Fall protection  Structural firefighting  Collapsed buildings and cave-ins  Wilderness search and rescue 13-6 Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual Appendix Provincial Certifications