2016-02-02 regular training/Cold Weather Injuries lesson plan

00:00

3 min

Introduce topic title

Introduce Instructor

Present Objectives

00:03

Scenario Introduction

It's mid February of what's been a snowy winter.

PCSAR gets a call at 01:00 from the local RCMP. A couple from Calgary, Leonard and Sally Hughes, in their mid-twenties are missing. They were expected back at a Beaver Mines bed and breakfast last evening after a day of cross-country skiing. Their vehicle has been found at the Syncline Cross Country Trails parking lot.

The conditions yesterday was -5 C, with heavy snow in the afternoon. Tonight it's -25 C, with 10 km/hr wind. Tomorrow during the day it's expected to be -20 with 40 km/hr wind.

Multiple ski trails leave the parking lot, partially obscured by new snow.

Addressing Hazards

Pick a student to act a part of the overhead team. To answer questions in that role. Involve the group in discussing answers.

You've been asked to help as part of the Incident Management Team. It's 04:00 and while 2 snowmobile teams are sweeping the trails, the Incident Commander is starting to think about calling for more searchers for dawn 07:30. More snowmobiles but also ground searchers on cross-country skis and snowshoes to search between trails and the unofficial trails that are too tight for snowmobiles.

You are asked to think about and identify all the hazards that will need to be addressed in the morning.

Among others, student should identify risk of cold-related injuries, in particular hypothermia.

What can the overhead team do to address the risk of cold-related injuries to searchers? To the subject?

Among others, should suggest

• describe risk and weather in call-out and in team briefings
• have searchers checked for appropriate clothing (by Team Leaders?)
• make sure SAR's cold-weather equipment arrives on scene
• call for SAR's briefing trailer as a searcher rewarming shelter
• develop a plan to treat and evacuate searcher injuries

Group Equipment

Ask same student, fill in with group discussion

What group equipment does PCSAR have for cold-weather injuries?

• 2 hypothermia kits (in firehall cabinet)
• stretcher and packaging for snowmobile sleigh (mounted in ATV trailer)
• briefing trailer

Group Equipment Hands-on

Have the students bring the hypothermia kits and the stretcher to the classroom. This is good practice for them locating the equipment. If necessary have discussion of where equipment is stored, how to access.

When equipment arrives, open up and examine.

• At least one of the hypothermia kits is expired, open up and examine
  • Take photos

Safety Check

Pick a student to act as a Team Leader

You're assigned as a Team Leader of a group of 4, none of who you know. Your initial assignment is Type 2 search of a segment of rolling hills, wind-exposed hilltops and heavily wooded areas. You figure it will take at least 4 hours to complete.

You know you should do a safety check of your team. What will you look for?

Expand to an open discussion. There are many possible answers here, but direct towards discussion of thermal management.

• Fitness level of searcher
• Clothing
  • 3 layers: wicking, thermal, wind-protection
  • ability to adjust, remove/add layers, open up, pit zips