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ResQmax operation protocalls
My department purchased a ResQmax line launcher and I have been put in charge of putting response guidelines for this piece of equipment. I was wondering if anyone has something I can work with. Thank you for your time and assistance. Please e-mail me
newski1@bellsouth.net
newski1@bellsouth.net
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Smith on
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Step One - Buy new line gun (Tetra Line Thrower - http://www.rescuenorthwest.com/Equipment/Line%20guns/line_gun__acce... )
Step Two - Attach line to projectile, and place projectile on gun
Step Three - Insert Cartridge, Hearing pro and Eye Pro
Step Four - Watch how far a real line gun can shoot!!
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Permalink Reply by Chris Wisniewski on
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Thank you Joe Smith for you help. I was looking for someone with a bit more detail on guidelines for when to use line launcher compared to when to enter the water. I know the standards have changed of when firefighter should enter the water. But that you for highly technical instructions on how use the unit. You must be a training officer or something
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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The ResQMax has two different applications. It can function as a lightweight messenger line gun, or as a water rescue rope thrower. It is very difficult to shoot a line gun accurately to a victim in the water, even with lots of practice. It can be done, but even a little wind, overhanging limbs, power lines, etc. can make the shot impossible.
By far the most common application is as a messenger line thrower. In this application, the lightweight messenger line is shot across the river and anchored by someone on the far shore. The heavier rescue line is rigged to the messenger line, and the messenger line is then used to pull the heavier rescue line across.
If you are wondering about using a line gun versus entering the water, I'd recommend that you and your team take a swiftwater rescue course from a reputable training program. Reputable swiftwater rescue programs include the Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania programs and the private-sector programs offered by Special Rescue Services Group, Rescue 3 International, and PRI. Those programs will teach you how to do rescues in moving water, generally without resorting to a line gun.
A few things with the ResQMax - the distance you shoot the line depends on the projectile chosen and on the amount of pressure with which the gun is charged. If you need a 100-foot shot, don't fill the gun to max pressure - you'll shoot the projectile a lot farther than you really need to.
Another thing is to use any line gun like a gun - consider what is downrange and evaluate the backstop before making the shot. If the backstop is a bunch of underbrush and scrub, if you shoot the projectile too far, you'll hopelessly entangle the line in the backstop.
Always wear eye protection when shooting the ResQMax or any other line gun.
Prepare for a second shot - it may be possible to reel the line in, stack it in a milk crate, reload and recharge the launcher, and shoot a second shot as long as you are using a projectile that's not designed to autoinflate when it hits the water.
Good luck,
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Thank you for your help. I was looking for the information on when to use the gun and when to enter the water. This unit will be going on a truck stationed at the beach. I'm trying to keep fireman from entering the water and let the Lifeguards do there job. Unfortunately the last two rescues were on unguarded beaches and the fireman entered the water. Trying to make it safer for the crews. I dont want anyone getting hurt. Thank you for you information.
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Chris,
If you have the ResQMax with the sling that autoinflates once it hits the water, I'd practice shooting the sling a little past the victim, then pulling it - gently - to the victim. That avoids two problems - you don't have to worry about nailing the victim in the head with the projectile, and you don't have to worry as much about quick retrievals and reloads if you miss a shot.
If you shoot the sling past the victim and miss a little to one side, you can move the shore end of the line down the beach, then gently pull the line until the sling gets to the victim. That tactic will work unless you are on a beach with big obstructions like the "haystack" formations off the Oregon coast.
Another option that's low-cost and can be very effective is to use surf kayaks. Tybee Island, GA recently added surf kayaks to their engine companies. The training is relatively easy, the kayaks can be deployed very quickly, and the rescuers don't enter the water unless the surf flips the boat. The kayaks have a huge advantage over line guns - they're steerable at the point where the rescue is made. Typee also has personal watercraft, but they take longer to launch and require better-quality launch points. The kayaks can be taken anywhere a person can walk.
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Thank you, I will definitely look into the kayaks. That's a new way to look at it. Thank you very much.
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Chris,
The sea kayaks I'm discussing are the sit-on-top variety. These don't require a spray skirt, they're easy to learn to paddle in light-to-moderate surf, and they don't require the paddler to have the ability to do an Eskimo roll for self-rescue.
Good luck.
Ben
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