ASTM_F_1783_-_97_2013.pdf

Designation:F178397(Reapproved 2013)Standard Guide forPerformance of an Ice RescuerLevel II1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1783;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scopeof performance of an ice rescuer who performs cold water andice rescues from the surface,assists with support for ice rescuedivers,and provides initial patient care at a cold water or icerescue incident.1.2 This guide is one of a series that,together with GuideF1739,describes the minimum performance requirements ofan ice rescuer.1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or icerescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physicalrequirements necessary to be able to perform all identifiedobjectives and necessary skills in the setting.1.4 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are tobe regarded separately as the standard.The values given inparentheses are for information only.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F1739 Guide for Performance of a Water RescuerLevel I3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 drysuit,na protective suit that encompasses thewearer,prohibiting water from entering.Adrysuit may provideno buoyancy or thermal protection without insulation under-garments or a buoyancy compensating device.3.1.2 floating tether,tag line,na water rescue techniquewhich stretches a line across a body of water.This line has aflotation device attached to it to keep the rope on the surface ofthe water and to provide a buoyant object for the victim to grabhold.3.1.3 ice awls,na device used for rescue on ice consistingof a sharp spike with a handle.3.1.4 ice staff,na stick,pole,or rod with a sharp spike inone end used to traverse on ice or rescue on ice.3.1.5 immersion suit,ndesigned to provide cold waterprotection and buoyancy by one person in cold water emer-gencies.These devices should conform to standards set by theappropriate national regulatory authority,that is,the U.S.CoastGuard in the United States.3.1.6 personal flotation device,PFD,na buoyant devicesuitable for use by one person in water emergencies.Thesedevices should conform to standards set by the appropriatenational regulatory authority,that is,the U.S.Coast Guard inthe United States.3.1.7 sinking tether,snag line,na water rescue techniquethat stretches a weighted line across a body of water to snag orsupport fully or partly submerged objects and people.3.1.8 vessel,nincludes every description of watercraft,including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes,used or capableof being used as a means of transportation on water.4.Significance and Use4.1 This guide is to be used to expand the performance ofwater rescuers and improve the emergency response andpatient care delivered to victims in the cold water and icerescue environment.4.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meetthe requirements of this guide.4.3 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation,but asa component guide acknowledging many duties of response ata cold water and ice rescue emergency.It also establishes aminimum scope of performance and encourages the addition ofoptional knowledge,skills,and attitudinal objectives.4.4 This guide does not establish medical protocols,nordoes it authorize invasive procedures without specific authori-zation and medical control.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search andRescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,Training and Education.Current edition approved June 1,2013.Published August 2013.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F178397(2007).DOI:10.1520/F1783-97R13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.5 This guide is intended to assist government agencies,state,local,or regional organizations,fire departments,rescueteams and others who are responsible for establishing aminimum performance for personnel who respond to coldwater and ice emergencies.4.6 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit,drysuit with PFD,or equiv