Swift Water Rescue Equipment Tips From the San Diego River Rescue Team

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San Diego Lifeguard River Rescue Team

The San Diego Lifeguard River Rescue Team is a 14 member group of first responders who perform swift water rescues in the City of San Diego.  In January of 2010, Southern California was hit with torrential rains, and the team made approximately 40 rescues within a five day period.

During rain events, the team is typically very busy, as some of San Diego's roads experience flooding and many people become trapped in their cars attempting to cross these roadways.  Bob Albers, a Lifeguard Sergeant with the San Diego River Rescue Team, explains, "When we make most of our rescues is when the water is just rising and you don't see the white water rapid effect that we are seeing now.  People just drive nice and slow through, and their car generally doesn't get swept away, but it's deep enough to stall their motor out."

The team is unique in that they are part of the city's Lifeguard Department, a division of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.  Dave Calder, one of the Lifeguards, says, "We do a lot of different things as lifeguards.  Most people picture us as working on the beach being a usual beach lifeguard, but we perform a lot of different functions for the City of San Diego, and this is one of them." In 1993 alone, the first responders rescued over 195 people.

Equipment Tips for All First Responders Performing Swift Water Rescues

Calder stresses that having the appropriate gear is one of the most important aspects of performing swift water rescues.  His advice to other firefighters is to have "at minimum a personal floatation device or PFD and a water rescue type helmet.  Structure helmets are not as preferable because the bill sits off the back and forces water down into your clothing.  You want a helmet that will allow water to drain easily.  Then I just have regular wetsuit gloves on, booties, and the thing that protects me the most from being exposed to contaminate water is my dry suit.  So obviously the ears, nose, eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes are still going to get exposed, so we try to keep that much out of the water as much as possible.  Then any cuts or anything you have like that, you just kind of want to make sure you get it all covered up as well as you can."

Calder says that the PFD's should include a quick release feature, so that if a firefighter's rope gets caught on debris or anything dangerous while they are performing a rescue, they can detach from the rope easily.  He also says that firefighters should carry a rescue knife in case they need to cut the rope for any reason.

Sergeant Albers gives the following advice to other first responders who are called to swift water rescue incidents.  "Don't ever go near moving water in your turnouts and boots because you'll be the next victim guaranteed."

In addition to rescuing stranded motorists from flooded roads during inclement weather, the San Diego River Rescue Team also monitors and rescues victims from the Tijuana River, one of the most dangerous and polluted rivers in the United States.