Ice Rescue Training Begins

[Tomas]

Over the three days we performed a variety of training exercises anticipating a variety of the rescue situations which can occur at Jackson Lake. One might think that ice is simply ice, but one fact that stood out was that the ice conditions were different every day of the training. And understanding the ice conditions can have a profound impact on which techniques and equipment to use.

I noticed you guys using a variety of techniques compared to previous years. It was really great to see.

[SkierBob]

Unless somone has already been saved, the title should read

 "Body recovery training begins".

 

[MMB]

The SB County fire dept. has been training again this week on ice rescues at Jackson Lake. They are here again today. I believe this is the third day of training. I did not have my camera with me but maybe someone else will be able to get a couple of pictures.

Many thanks to the SBCFD for their continued commitment to protecting and serving our community.

Great news.  Someday, they may save a life and not just recover a body.  I loved the pictures of them practicing.  I love the cameraderie, brotherhood, fellowship... whatever you want to call it.

[Jim Wilkins]

Unless somone has already been saved, the title should read

 "Body recovery training begins".

Once again....not true.  There is something that is called the Mammalian Diving Reflex that allows a human immersed in very cold water to survive extraordinary long times in and under the cold water without pulse or respirations.  The very specialized tools and training that the agencies were participating in give our departments another tool in the toolbox to try and make a positive difference in what used to be always be a deadly outcome.  Before the generosity of our local community and the stubborn foresight of Captain Steve Roeber, anyone falling through the ice at Jackson Lake normally might not stand a good chance.  We simply didn't have the equipment or the training to effective (and go home at the end of a shift).  Any victim recovered by the Fire Department on the lake would be treated as a viable patient using ALS procedures and flown to a Trauma Center for rewarming and possible resuscitation.

LA County Sheriff's ESD Divers do body recoveries.

[MMB]

 

Right ON!

[SkierBob]

It would be great to actually save someone who fell through the ice

Where is the ice rescue equipment staged from?

[Jim Wilkins]

It would be great to actually save someone who fell through the ice

Where is the ice rescue equipment staged from?

Not everyone who falls through the ice dies. 

In 34 years, I have been on at least 20 rescues at Jackson lake and only two of them were fatal.  The fatal victims slipped under the ice and and were not recovered until divers got them out.  Most had made their way to shore and were treated for Hypothermia.  Only one of those developed a fatal heart rhythm enroute to the hospital.  The only equipment we had then was throw ropes.  The new ice rescue equipment mentioned in this post is staged at Wrightwood Station 14.  The LA County Fire Department USAR and Swiftwater Team and LA County Sheriff's ESD Air Rescue 5 each has ice rescue equipment and Air 5 has divers.  Both LA County Fire and Sheriff can respond these specially trained personnel via helicopter and they land right at the lake on N4.

Thanks to the generosity of the Timberline Lions, there is a least a fighting chance of a positive outcome for someone who has fallen through the ice.

[SkierBob]

I didn't know that more lives have been saved then not.    I'm glad to hear that.   

You also answered another question I had from viewing the pictures and not seeing any diving equipment.

I saw you guys out there Friday morning.  Next time I'll wave.