ASTM F3145-15(2022)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic
Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum requirements for training SWFT-Basic personnel. A person trained to this guide is considered to be a SWFT-Basic.
4.2 Every person who is identified as a SWFT-Basic shall have met the requirements or equivalent of this guide.
4.3 This guide is to be used by the individuals and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) that wish to identify the minimum training required for SWFT-Basic. No advanced skills are included or implied.
4.4 This guide was developed specifically for use in the United States, but may be used in other countries as needed.
4.5 This guide should be used in conjunction with established and authorized guidelines and procedures mandated by the AHJ.
4.6 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.
4.7 The AHJ shall determine that personnel, agencies, and organizations are qualified and authorized to participate in swiftwater/flood search and rescue operations.
4.8 The AHJ shall determine the evaluation process used to assess the extent to which the requirements of this guide are met.
4.9 Swiftwater personnel should only perform activities in the swiftwater environment after a thorough risk assessment and appropriate risk mitigation efforts (such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), restricting efforts to shore-based techniques, or delaying a recovery until more favorable water conditions exist) have been performed. At the very least, personnel should follow the appropriate national, federal, state, tribal, provincial, and local safety standards as they apply to activities in swiftwater environments. SWFT-Basic personnel should be supervised by a Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician-Intermediate (SWFT-Intermediate) or Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician-Advanced (SWFT-Advanced) for in-water rescue operations. Shore-based rescue does not necessarily require SWFT-Intermediate or SWFT-Advanced supervision, but any rescue requires appro...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide establishes the areas of expertise that Search and Rescue (SAR) Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic (SWFT-Basic) personnel shall demonstrate in order to perform in, on, or around a swiftwater environment.
1.1.1 Specifically, this guide defines the recommended training required to prepare SWFT-Basic personnel, or equivalent, for responding to or conducting shore-based swiftwater and flood rescue operations.
1.1.2 This guide establishes the general areas of expertise that SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate. This guide does not cover specialized types of swiftwater/flood SAR, such as helicopter and boat-based rescues.
1.1.3 This guide also establishes the minimum training requirements.
1.2 This is the entry-level position for swiftwater/flood responders.
1.3 SWFT-Basic personnel shall be able to recognize, reduce, eliminate, or mitigate, within the scope of their training, the hazards and risks in a swiftwater or flood situation or environment and be able to request appropriate additional resources.
1.4 This guide identifies types of rescues, tactics, and systems that are typically used by SWFT-Basic personnel, such as shore-based rescues using talking, reaching, throwing, and wading methods.
1.5 SWFT-Basic personnel who have met the minimum qualifications and experience within this guide are capable of performing shore-based rescues and assisting with in-water rescues from the shore under qualified supervision.
1.6 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
Relations
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: F3145 − 15 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3145; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide establishes the areas of expertise that Search 2.1 ASTM Standards:
and Rescue (SAR) Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic F1422 Guide for Using the Incident Command System
(SWFT-Basic) personnel shall demonstrate in order to perform Framework in Managing Search and Rescue Operations
in, on, or around a swiftwater environment. F1768 GuideforUsingWhistleSignalsDuringRopeRescue
1.1.1 Specifically, this guide defines the recommended Operations
training required to prepare SWFT-Basic personnel, or F2752 Guide for Training for Basic Rope Rescuer Endorse-
equivalent, for responding to or conducting shore-based swift- ment
water and flood rescue operations.
2.2 Other Documents:
1.1.2 This guide establishes the general areas of expertise
DRAFTLand Search and Rescue Addendum to the National
that SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate. This guide does
Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aero-
not cover specialized types of swiftwater/flood SAR, such as
nauticalandMaritimeSearchandRescueManual,Version
helicopter and boat-based rescues.
1.0, November 2011
1.1.3 This guide also establishes the minimum training
National Response Framework (NRF), FEMA, January
requirements.
Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR),
1.2 This is the entry-level position for swiftwater/flood
Subtitle B, Chapter XVII, 1910.120(Q)(6)(i) First Re-
responders.
sponder Awareness Training
1.3 SWFT-Basic personnel shall be able to recognize,
reduce, eliminate, or mitigate, within the scope of their
3. Terminology
training, the hazards and risks in a swiftwater or flood situation
3.1 Acronyms:
or environment and be able to request appropriate additional
3.1.1 AHJ—Authority Having Jurisdiction
resources.
3.1.2 CPR—Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
1.4 This guide identifies types of rescues, tactics, and
3.1.3 FEMA—Federal Emergency Management Agency
systemsthataretypicallyusedbySWFT-Basicpersonnel,such
as shore-based rescues using talking, reaching, throwing, and
3.1.4 HazMat—Hazardous Materials
wading methods.
3.1.5 HELP—Heat Escape Lessening Posture/Position
1.5 SWFT-Basic personnel who have met the minimum
3.1.6 ICS—Incident Command System
qualifications and experience within this guide are capable of
3.1.7 LKP—Last Known Point
performing shore-based rescues and assisting with in-water
3.1.8 NIMS—National Incident Management System
rescues from the shore under qualified supervision.
3.1.9 NRF—National Response Framework
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.10 PLS—Point Last Seen
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.11 PPE—Personal Protective Equipment
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.12 PTB—Position Task Book
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Training and Education. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/av_library/Revision%205-
in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F3145 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/ EHE%20Source%20List%20(01-12).pdf.
F3145-15R22. http://www.fema.gov/national-response-framework
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3145 − 15 (2022)
3.1.13 RBB—Rigid Buoyant Boats stranded by, swift or flood waters, conducted using the Na-
tional Incident Management System (NIMS)/ICS, or equiva-
3.1.14 RHIB—Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
lent.
3.1.15 SAR—Search and Rescue
3.2.11 swiftwater/flood search and rescue technician—an
3.1.16 SWFT-Basic—Swiftwater/Flood Technician-Basic
individual trained to perform swiftwater/flood search and
3.1.17 SWFT-Intermediate—Swiftwater/Flood Technician-
rescue operations.
Intermediate
3.2.12 throw-bag—a length of floating rope that is stored in
3.1.18 SWFT-Advanced—Swiftwater/Flood Technician-
a throwable container. When using a throw-bag for water
Advanced
rescue, the life safety line should be the appropriate tensile
3.1.19 USCG—U.S. Coast Guard
strength as determined by the AHJ.
3.2 Definitions Specific to the Series of Swiftwater/Flood 3.2.13 type—a classification series developed to identify an
Search and Rescue Guides:
incident’s level of complexity ranging from most complex
3.2.1 authority having jurisdiction—an organization, office, (Type 1) to least complex (Type 5).
or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a
code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials,
4. Significance and Use
installation, or a procedure.
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum requirements for
3.2.2 downstream—the direction of flow leading to a lower
training SWFT-Basic personnel.Aperson trained to this guide
position in a watercourse.
is considered to be a SWFT-Basic.
3.2.3 flood—a great flowing or overflowing of water, espe-
4.2 Every person who is identified as a SWFT-Basic shall
cially over land not usually submerged.
have met the requirements or equivalent of this guide.
3.2.4 personal flotation device (PFD)—a U.S. Coast Guard
4.3 This guide is to be used by the individuals andAuthori-
(USCG) approved buoyant device suitable for use by one
ties Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) that wish to identify the
person to stay afloat in a water emergency. This may be a vest,
minimum training required for SWFT-Basic. No advanced
ring buoy, life preserver, cushion, or other special purpose
skills are included or implied.
buoyant apparatus. Types include the following:
4.4 This guide was developed specifically for use in the
3.2.4.1 Type I—Offshore life jacket.
United States, but may be used in other countries as needed.
3.2.4.2 Type II—Near-shore buoyant vest.
4.5 This guide should be used in conjunction with estab-
3.2.4.3 Type III—Flotation aid.
lished and authorized guidelines and procedures mandated by
3.2.4.4 Type IV—Throwable device.
the AHJ.
3.2.4.5 Type V—Special use device.
4.6 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding
3.2.5 recovery—an operation to retrieve deceased persons
additional requirements for its own members.
from the current position and move them to a designated place.
4.7 The AHJ shall determine that personnel, agencies, and
3.2.6 rescue—an operation to retrieve persons in distress,
organizations are qualified and authorized to participate in
provide for the initial medical or other needs, and deliver them
swiftwater/flood search and rescue operations.
to a place of safety.
4.8 TheAHJ shall determine the evaluation process used to
3.2.7 search—an operation using available trained person-
7 assess the extent to which the requirements of this guide are
nel and facilities to locate persons in distress.
met.
3.2.8 shore-based—swiftwater/flood search and rescue op-
4.9 Swiftwater personnel should only perform activities in
erations conducted from land adjacent to the water.
the swiftwater environment after a thorough risk assessment
3.2.9 swiftwater—water moving with sufficient force to
and appropriate risk mitigation efforts (such as the use of
present a significant life and safety hazard to a person entering
personal protective equipment (PPE), restricting efforts to
it.
shore-based techniques, or delaying a recovery until more
3.2.10 swiftwater/flood search and rescue operations—
favorable water conditions exist) have been performed. At the
actions intended to locate and save individuals caught in, or
very least, personnel should follow the appropriate national,
federal, state, tribal, provincial, and local safety standards as
they apply to activities in swiftwater environments. SWFT-
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flood?s=t (Accessed February 7, 2013.)
Basic personnel should be supervised by a Swiftwater/Flood
DRAFTLandSearchandRescueAddendumtotheNationalSearchandRescue
Rescue Technician-Intermediate (SWFT-Intermediate) or
Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician-Advanced (SWFT-
Manual, Version 1.0, November 2011, http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/av_library/
Advanced) for in-water rescue operations. Shore-based rescue
Revision%205-EHE%20Source%20List%20(01-12).pdf.
Land Search and Rescue Addendum to the National Search and Rescue
does not necessarily require SWFT-Intermediate or SWFT-
Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
Advanced supervision, but any rescue requires appropriate
Manual, Version 1.0, November 2011, http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg534/nsarc/
command and control, determined by the level of complexity.
Land_SAR_Addendum/Published_
Land%20SAR%20Addendum%20%281118111%29%20-%20Bookmark.pdf Rescue shall be done using the appropriate safety precautions.
F3145 − 15 (2022)
5. General Knowledge, Qualifications, and Training 5.2.7 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
Incident Command System (ICS) as it applies to swiftwater/
5.1 SWFT-Basic personnel shall have the following
flood rescue operations.
knowledge, qualifications, and training:
5.2.8 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of land
5.1.1 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
navigation, including the following:
and NIMS training or equivalent, to include the following:
5.2.8.1 General use of maps, compasses, and GPS; and
5.1.1.1 ICS/IS 100: Introduction to ICS;
5.2.8.2 The ability to plot on a map and locate on a GPS
5.1.1.2 ICS/IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial
receiver a reported PLS and LKP. Demonstrate knowledge and
Action Incidents;
understanding of hazard recognition, which may include:
5.1.1.3 As required by the AHJ, or when responding to an
ineffective team communication, changing conditions, lack of
outside jurisdiction:
command and control, multi-agency efforts without
(1) FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction; and
coordination, night operations, improvised techniques, high
(2) FEMA IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF),
water flows, strainers, flood debris, cold water, hydraulics,
An Introduction.
low-head dams, multiple patients, multiple incidents, air tem-
5.1.2 SWFT-Basic personnel shall additionally have the
perature extremes, man-made obstacles, and debris.
following training:
5.1.2.1 Basic Aircraft Safety (A-101), or equivalent; 5.2.9 SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate knowledge
and understanding of safety requirements specific to
5.1.2.2 Hazardous materials (HazMat) awareness level
training that includes the information defined in 29 CFR swiftwater/flood rescue and the swiftwater/flood environment,
including the following:
1910.120(Q)(6)(i) or equivalent, as determined by the AHJ;
5.1.2.3 Swiftwater/flood rescue pre-planning and notifica- 5.2.9.1 Safe work area zones;
tion systems;
5.2.9.2 Risks to personnel from pollution, recommended
5.1.2.4 Identifying the need for additional assistance and/or
personal hygiene techniques to reduce these risks, and proce-
expertise, and how to request it;
dures to be used on contaminated personnel;
5.1.2.5 Bloodborne/airborne pathogens training;
5.2.9.3 The use and effectiveness of the Heat Escape Less-
5.1.2.6 Physical fitness standards as established and re-
ening Posture/Position (HELP);
quired by the AHJ; and
5.2.9.4 Theuseandeffectivenessofthehuddleposition;and
5.1.2.7 Emergency medical skills as established and re-
5.2.9.5 The use and effectiveness of the self-rescue/
quired by the AHJ.
swimmer position.
5.1.3 SWFT-Basic personnel shall undergo annual refresher
5.2.10 SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate knowledge
and/or maintenance training, as determined by the AHJ,
and understanding of hydrology in regard to its effects on
including the following:
swiftwater/flood rescue, including the following:
5.1.3.1 PPE;
5.2.10.1 Water temperature;
5.1.3.2 Self-rescue techniques;
5.2.10.2 Currents, including flow rates, force, and features
5.1.3.3 Simple rescue techniques; and
(for example, eddies, holes, etc.);
5.1.3.4 Hydrology.
5.2.10.3 Contaminants;
5.2 Agency Policy Updates—This guide recommends that
5.2.10.4 Hazards, including: strainers, sieves, weirs/low-
personnel meet the following minimum qualifications and
headdams,undercuts,debris/loads,highwaterflows,strainers,
experience to function within a swiftwater/flood search and
flood debris, cold water, hydraulics, and low-head dams;
rescue operation. Depending on the geography of theAHJ, the
5.2.10.5 Shoreline characteristics and conditions, including
AHJ may require SWFT-Basic personnel to have rope skills in
ice, mud, and steep or unstable banks;
accordance with Guide F2752.
5.2.10.6 Weather, both local and upstream; and
5.2.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the Safety Code of
5.2.10.7 Tides.
American Whitewater (refer to X1.1).
5.2.11 SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate knowledge
5.2.2 Demonstrate an understanding of visual and audible
and understanding of the physiology of drowning, including
river signals (refer to X1.2 and X1.3).
the following:
5.2.3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
5.2.11.1 Basic survivor care;
policies, standards, objectives, and goals of the AHJ in regard
5.2.11.2 The occurrence of immersion shock and the cold
to swiftwater/flood rescue.
water reflex and their effects; and
5.2.4 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
5.2.11.3 The signs and symptoms of hypothermia and hy-
swiftwater/flood rescue team member roles and responsibili-
perthermia and their effects on patient care.
ties.
5.2.11.4 SWFT-Basic personnel shall demonstrate knowl-
5.2.5 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of estab-
edge and understanding of water rescue equipment and its
lishing point last seen (PLS)/last known point (LKP).
limitations, including the following:
5.2.6 Demonstrate knowle
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