New Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Level I
1. Scope
1.1 This guide establishes the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for a Search and Rescue (SAR) Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Level I (SWFT-LI) performing in, on, or around a swiftwater environment. 1.1.1 Specifically, this guide is intended to define the training recommended to prepare a SWFT-LI or equivalent to respond to or conduct ground-/shore-based swiftwater and flood rescue operations. 1.1.2 This guide establishes the minimum training standard as related to general, field, and swiftwater rescue-specific KSAs. 1.2 The SWFT-LI is the entry-level position for swiftwater/flood responders. 1.3 A SWFT-LI will be able to recognize, reduce, eliminate or mitigate, as necessary and within the scope of their training, the hazards and risks in the given situation or environment and be able to request appropriate additional resources. 1.4 This guide identifies types of rescues, tactics, and/or systems that are typically used by a SWFT-LI, such as: 1.4.1 Shore-based rescues using talking, reaching, throwing, and wading methods; 1.5 This standard is not intended to include all rescue options that might be available or required to mitigate a specific incident. 1.6 This guide does not purport to address safety concerns associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use or as defined within a (regional or geographical) response region or by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Keywords
Flood; technician; rescue; search; swiftwater; water
Rationale
Filling the gap in individual-based swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician standard to assist in credentialing of personnel.
