Water Rescue-Throw

With warmer weather on the horizon for most of the United States and Canada, that means people will start hitting the water in canoes, kayaks, and other water crafts.  Water rescue is something that no department is really exempt from.  A vehicle can easily leave the roadway and end up in some type of body of water like a pond, creek, river or lake.  Since these type of calls tend to be high risk, low-frequency for many departments training is critical for a successful rescue.

A rope throw bag is a very useful, inexpensive piece of rescue equipment that can be safety deployed from the shore or a watercraft, the rope throw bag. Rope throw bag training is easy to setup and practice at almost any fire station.  Training can take place outside or inside the apparatus bays.  Almost anything can be used as a target or “mock” victim.  A tire or a water rescue ring buoy make great low-profile targets. Have your crew don their personal flotation devices to add realism to the training.  Make the victim your target and get the bag past the victim so the rope lands on them.

Throwbag Fundamentals

The video below from our training partners, Rescue Methods, explains the different types of throws you can use deploying a rope throw bag.  Several other important tips and techniques are covered.