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Permalink Reply by Douglas DuBree on May 7, 2009 at 8:38pm

I'm an Ice Rescue Instructor for Dive Rescue International. I suggest you have at least the following equipment
3 ice rescue suitswith ice awls, a 200 ft 3/8inch polpropolyene rope with bag, a large pear shaped carabiner and 3 small aluminum carabiners, and an ice screw, also water rescue helmets and pfds for the shore crew and have a couple of 50 or 75 ft rope throw bags. And most importantly get TRAINED in how to use the gear and how to do Ice rescue. It's not just about getting the gear but getting the proper training. If all of this over whelms your budget then I suggest you at least get started with the pfds and some throw bags and maybe a hose inflator system (to inflate a 2 1/2 inch hose) to push out to a victim. This way you can at least do shore based techniques till mutual aid gets there with the proper equipment. Also do some pre planniing of where you might have incidents at check out all the possible water lcoations, streams, lakes, rivers, and retention ponds. Check with your county soil and water district or farm bureau as there may be ponds or lakes that you have no idea of. Hope this helps you out some.

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Permalink Reply by METALHEAD on May 9, 2009 at 8:16am

Thanks doug,

I was trained by a course offered by dive rescue international in my county. I am certified as specialist.
I appreciate the feed back. my dept has never had the gear to deal with a potential rescue, then again, it never had to( jinx). Most of the items you mentioned I was close on. I wanted to check with someone like yourself to gain as much info as i can to do it right. thanks again. beech

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