Search and rescue of a submerged person
Control Measure Knowledge
It is important that the most appropriately equipped and competent resources are mobilised to a submerged person.
Cordon controls should be established for the search and rescue of a submerged person. It may be appropriate to request support from the police if additional resources are required. For more information refer to Cordon controls: Water rescue.
Operational preparedness
Services need to be able to address any identified gaps in the resources, equipment, training, and the actions that are required to remain compliant with legislation. This means that when attending an incident involving a submerged person, all rescues should be taken from the land, the surface of the water or by personnel in the water. Any attempt to rescue a submerged person must follow service policies and procedures.
Deploying personnel using the Water rescue: Hierarchy of risk (Rescue formula) may adequately provide the options for a rescue capability within the parameters of legislation, training and competence.
Personnel are not prohibited from taking reasonable action to save life before specialist resources arrive. Suitable control measures should be implemented prior to acting and appropriate PPE maintained.
There may be specific situations that can be controlled to allow a rescue attempt of a submerged person. These situations will usually be when the person is visible and submerged in shallow water that is still or slow moving, without the need for personnel to go outside of service policy. An example of this would be when a person is submerged in a shallow pond or a swimming pool.
Operational discretion
Personnel must not act outside of the limitations of their competency and equipment, or service policies and procedures, when searching for or rescuing a submerged person.
Operational discretion must not be applied to search for or rescue a submerged person if the activity contradicts service policy or procedures on actions such as:
- Removing personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Entering underwater confined spaces
- Physically going underwater
Information gathering
The information gathered by fire control or initial responding personnel will assist the incident commander in determining the level of equipment, resources and competence that is required to undertake a rescue. It will also help establish whether the rescue will be made from the surface of the water or using land access, such as the bankside, pontoons or bridges. This information will also help to develop a tactical plan and establish whether an initial search and rescue attempt can be made.
Submerged person tool
If the fire and rescue service is the first agency on-scene, they should carry out the zero minute Joint Decision-Making Dynamic Risk Assessment (JDMDRA) point of the submerged person tool if possible. This comprises:
- Start the clock when they arrive on-scene and when submersion of the person has been confirmed
- Notify fire control of the start time
- Put a safe system of work in place for personnel
The application of the tool is provided in Apply the submerged person tool.
Underwater search and rescue
Underwater rescue or recovery should be undertaken by specialist dive teams using approved equipment. While superficially like scuba gear, standard fire and rescue service breathing apparatus (BA) is not designed for underwater use and should only be used in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.