Virginia Beach rescue teams save 3 from rip current near rocks at 1st Street Jetty

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. WAVY- On Sunday down at the 1st Street Jetty at Rudee Inlet, crews fought back against fierce rip currents and 15-to-20 mile-per-hour winds. 

Luckily no one was seriously injured, but as it was going on, no one was really sure what would happen. 

Thanks to the Virginia Beach Fire Department we have pictures of the harrowing rescue, where people in the water had to fight against current to stop from washing up on the rocky jetty. 

“There is a permanent rip current, and when you get a northeast wind that is blowing 15-20 like it did Sunday, and with surf that was three to five foot going straight against the rocks, that rip is moving as fast as you can see it. You are not going to get past it,” said Tom Gill, chief of the Virginia Beach Life Saving Service.

Two adults, a man and woman, were taken to hospital for evaluation and a child was unharmed and released to family.  

“These folks wandered into the wrong place at the wrong time and our guards were going down to talk to them, and within seconds they were swept out and everybody jumped into action.” 

Drone video from the fire department shows the waves crashing on the jetty, with swimmers dangerously close to a rocky landing. 

It was a jet ski-involved rescue that ironically had just been trained for last week. The training was going on behind Master Firefighter Sean Millard as WAVY interviewed him on Croatan Beach. 

“Stick time, get behind the skis see how they operate in different conditions, and riding scenarios on the back of the sled as compared to riding tandem,” he said.

Gill added: “The pictures don’t bring the sound of the wind, and the inability to communicate when you are next to each other, and the waves are crashing over your head.” 

10 on Your Side salutes those who helped in this rescue operation: the eight resort lifeguards, three fire-rescue swimmers, Fireboat 12 and Jet Ski 12.

Gill gives credit where credit is due.

“The real big thing was the Fire Boat 12 and Ski 12 stationed right here in the inlet. They were there immediately.” 

The current rescue training is so appropriate for rip currents, wind and rocky jetties.

“Today, our final scenario is a victim into the rocks, every third day we train on it, and it happened last Sunday, so it paid off so its fresh in everyone’s mind. Everyone was on the same page during the Sunday event.”

Shared from 10 on you side wavy.com 

How jet skis drivers search and rescue big wave surfers

Big wave surfing is a death-defying subdiscipline in which experienced athletes ride huge waves, typically at least 20 feet (6.2 meters) high.

Consequently, big wave surfers prepare physically and mentally for the world's largest waves in several ways.

Physical preparation often involves training the body through exercises that improve lung capacity, cardiovascular health, and oxygen efficiency.

The training can include activities such as breath training and yoga.

Mental preparation involves learning to embrace fear and rigorously preparing for the worst-case scenario so that the surfer knows what to do in difficult situations.

The psychological work can involve visualization, meditation, and other mental exercises.

Big wave surfers may also prepare by learning about the specific waves and conditions they will be surfing and practicing with smaller waves before attempting larger ones.

However, Mother Nature is sometimes way too mighty for the human spirit, and surfers find themselves in life-or-death situations.

Read more

 

State of The Art Indoor Swift Water Rescue Training Facility in Fayetteville, NC

Swift water training center at Fathom Tanks in Texas

It will be amazing to have a state-of-the-art water rescue training facility in our backyard. Stay tuned for available training for your agency.

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) is building a specially equipped indoor facility to provide swift water rescue training.

This facility is projected to open in early 2023 and will be operable seven days a week.

Swift water rescue training is critically important in an increasingly flood-prone world.

Because of hurricanes and torrential rainstorms, dangerous flood and swift water situations can happen almost anywhere. Emergency personnel who face these situations need specialized training that can be difficult and dangerous to arrange in natural outdoor settings.

Soon, that training will be readily available at FTCC’s Swift Water Rescue Training facility in Fayetteville, N.C.

The facility will be equipped with an 88,000-gallon indoor tank created by Fathom Tanks of Georgetown, Tex. The tank will be equipped with pumps that can blast water at a flow of up to 7 knots, allowing first responders and others to train year-round for rescues in floods, swift-water situations and other water-rescue situations.

The facility will allow for a variety of training scenarios, including different weather, water temperatures, obstacles, and rescue challenges, including simulated rescues at night.

Other features will include:

• Year-round training in clean, filtered water
• Controllable water level, current, flow and direction
• Ability to train with real submerged vehicles
• Realistic lightning, thunder, rain, police sirens and lights

The Swift Water Rescue Training facility will be located on the 30-acre state-of-the-art Fire & Rescue Training complex that FTCC is building on Tom Starling Road in Fayetteville.

 

Swift water training center at Fathom Tanks in Texas

EMMU Aerial: Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit of Phoenixville, Chester County, PA Launches Two New Search & Rescue Drones

EMMUAerial: Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit of Phoe...:   Always great to see a fire department utilize drones with their value as another tool in the toolbox for search and rescue in a water or marine environment.

 Phoenixville, PA - April 17th, 2023 - In March 2023, Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit, Chester County, PA Station 77, a 501c3 non-profit, based in Phoenixville PA, received and will be placing into service a weather resistant DJI Matrice 30t drone with thermal capabilities and a waterproof SwellPro Splash Drone 4 with lifting capabilities.

Helicopter rescues Jet Ski destroyed by Giant Waves

As a big wave surfing legend, Kai Lenny sure must have seen some interesting things. Lenny has made big waves his passion, and this passion is not free of danger. If one wants to ride the big waves, one has to pay the price. This price might be broken bones, broken surfboards, or broken jet skis. The latter most happened with Kai Lenny, as he lost a beloved jet ski to the harsh tow at Jaws.  Fortunately, there are amazing Helicopter Pilots that can retrieve the carnage. From Watermen News

Drones for Water Search and Rescue

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drones” for a wide variety of operations and businesses has been dramatically increasing both nationally and internationally.  The drone regulatory environment in the United States continues to evolve. New drone capabilities and more effective ways to use these capabilities are constantly being developed and implemented. Drones have quickly become the most widely used tool for many industries. From Police and Fire Departments to agriculture and energy operations, drones have become essential to boosting safety and productivity.

How does this important capability improve the SAR planner’s ability to search for persons in distress? Which drone is appropriate and most effective for a search based on the circumstances of the case? How does the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)/Incident Commander (IC) gain approval to use drones for a particular SAR operation? These are challenging questions that must be answered before contemplating the use of UAS in a particular SAR mission.

SAR Coordinators (SCs), SMCs/ICs, State, Tribal, Territorial/Insular Area, local SAR authorities, and volunteers interested in using UAS for SAR will also find important information and guidance in this Addendum in the development, management, and operation of their UAS programs.

What About Drones for Water Search and Rescue

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in using Drones in support of water search and rescue.  Regardless of the type of water from flood, river, swiftwater, coastal, ocean, surf or ice, a drone can be another valuable tool in your toolbox to effectively, efficiently and most important of all safely assist with the conduct water search and rescue operations.

However, there is little evidence that they are used in a structured and strategic manner to best effect. An effective response is essential if lives are to be saved and suffering alleviated.

"In order to realize the true value of a drone’s capabilities in water search and rescue, Drone Pilots and SAR authorities from the Incident Commander (IC) on down need to gain experience by employing drones on actual SAR operations and in training.  Only then will you realize that drones provide another tool in the toolbox for the Incident Commanders that can and will prove invaluable."

A search and rescue drone used by emergency services, such as police officers, firefighters or volunteer rescue teams, is ideal for searching over vast areas for missing persons in need of rescue and in any environment.  Search times can be significantly reduced while limiting potential risk to the party being rescued as well as rescuers. There are many options and benefits to using drones for water search and rescue.

With a lifetime in all water environments to include coastal, ocean, surf, swiftwater, flood and ice rescue, safety, and over ten years in drone operations for public safety. SAS Water Safety and EMMU Aerial’s instructors can help your agency evaluate how drones can be used in the preparation for, and response to all water search and rescue emergencies.  We can also provide assistance with all your training requirements and develops standard operating procedures (SOP) for their deployment before, during and after an event.

The Drones for Water Search and Rescue Course was developed and designed to be taught in a three day format with 1 day classroom and 2 days situational field / flight training, where students already have a FAA Part 107 with basic flight knowledge and experience in land search and rescue. Students will gain knowledge and practical experience in hydrology and moving water dynamics, pre-planning, size-up, site control, scene management, drone platforms and payloads, aerial search techniques, rescue mission support, thermal imaging, night operations and lost person behavior. The course will enable the students to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize drones more safely and effectively.

Contact SAS Water Safety or EMMU Aerial today for more information on integrating drones into water search and rescue.

 

EMMU Aerial: Butte County SAR uses new drone to help rescue man...

EMMU Aerial: Butte County SAR uses new drone to help rescue man...:   BUTTE COUNTY, Calif.  - The Butte County Search and Rescue (SAR) team rescued a driver stuck in flood waters on Wednesday. SAR responded...

What is the Minimum Personal Protective Equipment for PWC Operations

 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) requirements for PWC Rescue vary with the conditions surrounding the use of the PWC.  Requirements from Florida would differ from those in Alaska.

WETSUIT provide an excellent value for the money. They come in various thicknesses for different water temperatures, provide maximum protection from injury, work when damaged and are easy to repair.

DRYSUIT provide the best thermal protection, ease of movement, fit different sized people, provide wind protection when out of the water, and provide hazardous material protection when working in contaminated water.

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III, Type V, or Type III/V personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended. These jackets provide a minimum of 15 1/2 lbs. (7 kgs) of flotation. The fit is the most important feature when selecting a PFD. Try to find a jacket that provides the most flotation while fitting you properly.

HELMETS Light, ventilated helmets with foam padding or adjustable suspension systems are the preferred types. Fire helmets or helmets with fixed brims should not be used, as these can cause serious injury.

FOOTWEAR Neoprene Booties with thick soles are an excellent choice. Tennis shoes with wool or Neoprene socks are also a good combination.

HOODS Either Neoprene hoods or some type of pile cap which insulates when it is wet can be indispensable in cold conditions.

GLOVES A combination of neoprene and leather or composition-palmed gloves provide the best blend of thermal protection and manual dexterity.

EYE PROTECTION should be worn when operating boats, personal watercraft or when working under helicopters. Types include safety glasses, goggles, face shields and swimming glasses.

RIVER KNIFE one handed and accessible. a backup knife stored in PFD pocket is recommended

WHISTLE A good whistle is necessary for communication.  It should be loud and work when wet.  The whistle should be attached to the PFD.

SWIM FINS Short, stiff bladed swim fins should be carried in the event the PWC becomes disabled or you must swim into an area to retrieve the victim.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Consideration should also be given to additional equipment such as; strobe light, EPIRB, Marine Radio, Throw bag, etc. It all depends on where you are operating. 

By Design: Examining the Jet Ski’s Giant Impact on Big Wave Surfing

“Oh, it’s had a humungous affect on the progression of big wave surfing over the past 30 years. No question. ”

This from Frank Quirarte, the renowned surf photographer and heavy water safety expert from Half Moon Bay, California who, having recently returned from an epic strike mission to Cortes Bank, definitely knows what he’s talking about. He isn’t referencing any particular surfboard design, breath-holding training method or inflatable vest. He’s not talking about different GoPro mounts, either. What Quirarte is pointing to as having arguably the single most significant influence on big wave surfing over the past few decades is the Jet Ski.

Peahi, Teahupo’o, Aussie bommies and slabs, Mullaghmore, Cortes Bank and, of course, Nazarè — all tackled at size with a hand on the throttle, and in each case completely redefining the parameters of what is considered to be rideable surf. Then there’s the paradigm shift when it comes to safety, with the introduction of precise teamwork and coordinated rescue protocol. Yet although having become ubiquitous in big wave lineups around the world, and the topic of much discussion and even controversy since gaining popularity in the early 1990s, the wider surfing world has been told virtually nothing about how and why these machines work, or, in fact, anything about their performance and design evolution. So let’s fix that right now. Read More

Santa Cruz County crews hop on jet skis to rescue stranded homeowners

Crews in Santa Cruz County hop on jet skis to rescue stranded homeowners on the San Lorenzo River in Felton Grove.