PSDarchives.pwc

PWCs

7-30-2002

A student of ours emailed us and asked if we had any information on using
PWCs that he could use to start the process of convincing his chief that
they need to investigate entering the loaner program. Below is a letter we
gave to another student who asked the same question a few years ago. I'm
posting it because someone else out there might find it useful, and of
course because hopefully others will add to it by posting additional
information.

Personal Watercraft as a tool in surface and diving operations.

By Walt Hendrick

Personal watercrafts (PWCs) today are one of the most effective rapid
response rescue tools available. They allow rescuers an ease of deployment
and quick launching. They can be used as transport vessels for diving
operations with limited boats. For surface rescues, such as overturned
boats, person-overboard, person caught on a rock in a river, and medical
emergency on a boat, the PWC can reach victims extremely rapidly. This is
invaluable when time means the difference between life and death.

PWC can:

1.       transport a driver and rescuer out to a possible life saving
situation while victims are still at the surface.

2.       move equipment back and forth.

3.       move personnel back and forth

4.       be attached to a PWC rescue tow sled that can transport an injured
or weak victim.

5.       be used to assist in evacuation operations during floods (we have
found the MARSARS sled to be the best for the money).

6.       with sufficient training be very useful in swiftwater rescues if
personnel cruise in very shallow water where a boat cannot normally go

7.       be used in lakes, ponds, rivers, ocean, and basically almost every
type of water

8.       very rapidly bring a paramedic or other EMS personnel to victims in
boats, on rocks, or on other platforms in the water.

The overall effectiveness of the PWC is enhanced by the manufacturer
professional loaner programs. The program works through your local PWC
dealer and it allows your department to borrow personal watercrafts for
extended periods of time. There is no fee for this program. Teams have to
return the crafts in the condition they were received in, and therefore are
financially responsible for maintenance and repair work. The only actual
cost becomes a trailer, maintenance and fuel. Rescue companies around the
world have found PWCs to be a worthwhile addition to their water rescue
operations.

We at Lifeguard Systems have been using them for a few seasons, and at this
point feel we would be lost without them. We use them in a variety of
surface and diving training programs.

Like any rescue tool they require rescue training. The negative is that
without reasonable training, people think that they can jump on them and
make them work very quickly. Their ease of use is their single negative.
People think often feel that in 15 minutes they are expert operators because
they can ride them fast and spin them around. Effective PWC rescue training
is necessary to use PWC safely, properly, and effectively. The greatest
expense comes from repairs, but in most cases, repairs stem from improper
and unsafe use and poor maintenance.

If you have any questions about PWC use or training please do not hesitate
to contact us.

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Lifeguard Systems, Inc. Box 594 Shokan, NY 12481

Phone: 845-657-5544

Fax: 845-657-5549