Engine Company

Ice Rescue Tech I & II certification class (For Active Fire, Police and EMS only)

Two Day Course: The name of the game is when the rescue is over you can go home.

Unfortunately, most teams face ice, contaminated water, fast water, etc., for the first time during a real emergency. With training, you can be prepared with the right equipment, procedures, mutual aid communications, and contingency plans. This can make the difference between life and death on the part of both victim and rescuer.

This will be the best surface Ice course you ever take - at least that’s what our students tell us.

DAY ONE - Indoor Lecture

Like all of our training programs, the two-day ice seminar is custom designed to meet your department's individual needs; with foundation topics that are always covered. These include:

1. Hypothermia prevention, recognition and pre-hospital care for the rescuer

2. Immersion hypothermia and drowning prevention and pre-hospital care for the

rescuer and the victim.

3. Proper ice rescue techniques:

a. line handling and tethers

b. ice pole techniques for rescuer and victim

c. exposure equipment

d. planned and improvisational flotation devices

e. ice rescue SOPs

f. re-warming rescuer and victim

g. cold water resuscitation and BLS

h. contingency planning

i. multiple emergency

j. unexpected personnel emergency

k. dehydration and hypothermia

l. EMS protocol for cold water drowning

m. what transport devices work (sleds, etc.) and which ones don’t

n. building a water/ice rescue jump kit

o. how to avoid wasting money when purchasing ice rescue equipment

p. guidelines for awareness, operations and technician levels

q. Hands-on practice sessions - establishing victim buoyancy, use of transport device, etc.

r. and much more!

 

DAY TWO - On-site Hands-on Rescue Training

No standing around watching manufacturer demonstrations - all students work through 6-8 hands-on drill stations. You learn by doing, not by watching.

Six to eight Stations are set up on the ice and shore where rescuers engage in live action scenarios, using ice poles, surface suits, fire hoses, sleds, rescue throw ropes, roll-up straps, any gear they are currently using, boats, ice crawlers, knives, etc. Participating EMS will constantly be involved in hands-on scenarios using child and infant mannequins as well as staged hypothermic and dive accident live victims. Everyone who wants to get in the water and be on the ice will have the opportunity. The day ends with a written examination and debriefing.

We bring a minimum of three trainers, and most often bring four to six trainers.

Each participant will receive a certificate suitable for framing.

LGS/ACUC Certification cards available for purchase at class for $20 each.  Cost is $25 each if purchased after the class.

PADI Surface Ice Rescue Technician Certification cards available for $25 each