ASTM F1765-97a(2022)

Standard Guide for Ice Staff Self-Rescue Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for utilizing an ice staff as a self-rescue technique on ice.  
3.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide.  
3.3 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local, or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams; and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to ice emergencies.  
3.4 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as a component guide acknowledging many skills and techniques needed to respond at a cold water and ice emergency.  
3.5 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and buoyancy to perform these rescues.  
3.6 An ice rescuer shall carry a set of ice awls along with the ice staff as a backup technique.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes the self-rescue technique on ice utilizing an ice staff.  
1.2 This guide is one in a series of self-rescue techniques for the ice rescuer.  
1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified objectives and necessary skills in the setting.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2022
• ICS: 13.340.99 - Other protective equipment
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Overview

ASTM F1765-97a(2022), Standard Guide for Ice Staff Self-Rescue Technique, provides guidance on procedures for self-rescue using an ice staff during ice emergencies. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines recommended steps and equipment requirements for ice rescuers, ensuring increased safety and effectiveness during cold water and ice rescue operations. It serves not only trained rescue personnel, such as fire departments and rescue teams, but also government agencies and organizations responsible for ice safety standards. This guide is part of a series of self-rescue techniques and must be used alongside other skills and methods necessary for comprehensive emergency response.

Key Topics

• Ice Staff Self-Rescue Procedure:
  The standard describes the proper method of using an ice staff to test the integrity of ice, support movement, and provide means for self-extraction if the ice breaks.

• Essential Equipment:

  • Ice staff: A rod or pole with a pointed end for probing and traversing icy surfaces.
  • Immersion suit or drysuit with personal flotation device (PFD): Required to protect from cold and provide buoyancy.
  • Ice awls: Backup tool for additional security during self-rescue.

• Physical and Training Requirements:
  Personnel designated as ice rescuers must meet the physical, equipment, and skill standards outlined in this guide.

• Supporting a Broader Safety Program:
  Recognizes the need to integrate with other ice and cold water emergency response skills and techniques, rather than relying solely on the ice staff method.

Applications

• Public Safety and Fire Departments:
  Equip and train first responders in ice staff self-rescue techniques as part of broader ice rescue readiness.

• Rescue Teams:
  Use this guide as a baseline for developing operational procedures, training drills, and minimum performance requirements for ice emergencies.

• Government Agencies and Organizations:
  Establish and enforce minimum standards for ice rescuer qualifications to reduce risk during winter operations in lakes, rivers, and similar cold environments.

• Personal Safety for Professionals:
  Individuals working on or near ice, such as surveyors, researchers, and maintenance personnel, can benefit from understanding and practicing this self-rescue protocol.

Related Standards

• ASTM F659 - Standard Guide for Skating and Ice Sports Equipment:
  Addresses general ice safety and equipment, complementing the ice staff self-rescue guide.

• NFPA 1670 - Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents:
  Details organizational requirements for emergency response, including ice rescue.

• ISO standards for water safety and personal protective equipment:
  Provide internationally recognized guidelines that align with ASTM F1765-97a(2022).

Practical Value

Implementing the guidance in ASTM F1765-97a(2022) helps reduce risk for rescue personnel and victims during ice emergencies. By emphasizing the importance of proper equipment, training, and procedures, this standard contributes to the safety and effectiveness of cold water and ice rescue operations. Organizations adhering to these recommendations can better ensure the preparedness and competency of their ice rescue teams, bolstering public safety and compliance with recognized best practices in ice rescue.

Keywords: ice rescue, ice staff, self-rescue technique, ASTM F1765-97a(2022), cold water protection, personal flotation device, ice safety, rescue standards, ice emergency response

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1765 − 97a (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Ice Staff Self-Rescue Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1765; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope dards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that
is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States.
1.1 This guide describes the self-rescue technique on ice
utilizing an ice staff.
3. Significance and Use
1.2 This guide is one in a series of self-rescue techniques for
3.1 This guide establishes a recommended procedure for
the ice rescuer.
utilizing an ice staff as a self-rescue technique on ice.
1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice
3.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet
rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical
the requirements of this guide.
requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified
objectives and necessary skills in the setting.
3.3 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local,
or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams; and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
others who are responsible for establishing a minimum perfor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mance for personnel who respond to ice emergencies.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.4 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
a component guide acknowledging many skills and techniques
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
needed to respond at a cold water and ice emergency.
3.5 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit,
2. Terminology
drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and
2.1 Definitions:
buoyancy to perform these rescues.
2.1.1 drysuit, n—a protective suit that encompasses the
3.6 Anicerescuershallcarryasetoficeawlsalongwiththe
wearer, prohibiting water from entering; a drysuit provides no
ice staff as a backup technique.
buoyancy or thermal protection without insulative undergar-
ments.
4. Procedure
2.1.2 ice awl, n—a device consisting of a sharp spike with a
4.1 The ice rescuer should grasp the ice staff firmly near the
handle used for rescue on ice.
spiked end.
2.1.3 ice staff, n—a stick, pole, or rod with a sharp spike in
one end used to traverse on ice or rescue on ice.
4.2 Extend the staff in a downward slanting position,
tapping in a semicircle to test the ice.
2.1.4 immersion suit, n—designed to provide cold water
protection and buoyancy by one person in cold water emer-
4.3 Listen for a clear, hard resonating sound indicating good
gencies.
ice.
2.1.4.1 Discussion—These devices should conform to stan-
4.4 Move slowly onto the area of ice that has been tested.
dards set by the appropriate national regulatory aut
...