| Rules For Urban Rescue Response as per SARBC by Ken Snider |
| SAFETY - FIRST Prior to commencing any Urban Rescue operation, proper personal protection equipment must be worn and used at all times. Without personal protection, the rescuer will become a severe liability at the rescue scene. It must be understood that minor hazards and normally subtle safety concerns become severe health risks after a structural collapse. Items such as emergency lights become flesh-devouring acid pools, yet only appearing as wet spots on walls. The severe dust, which is thick and annoying, contains every disease that has been safely buried for the past few hundred years just waiting to find a nice warm moist home in your lungs. Your only defence from the hostile environment, in which you, the rescuer, will be thrust into, is the personal protection equipment. This equipment must be kept with the rescuer at all times, no matter what! The minimum personal protection gear is: Hard Hat - preferably a climbing / rescue helmet. Safety Goggles - will be worn for long periods, must be comfortable. Work Gloves - at least double leather. Dust Mask - preferably cartridge type respirator. Sturdy boots - must provide ankle support. Coveralls - good quality to provide another protection barrier. Whistle - for reliable communication of distress. Duct Tape - for securing hazards and everything else imaginable. First Aid Kit - compact kit with large pressure dressing, minor wound care, disposable resuscitation shield, etc. Flashlight - good quality with lots of batteries and spare bulbs Flagging tape - marking routes, hazards etc. This is the minimum gear [see appendix] required. A small fanny pack will probably be required to keep the gear handy and available. The Rules: Some rules of conduct have been created to promote survival in structural collapse. But these are not replacements for sound rescue knowledge and competent training. A short list of rules and explanations follows. The Do Rules DO turn off the electricity. After a structural collapse the integrity of a building's electrical system will be severely compromised. What was ground may now be hot, breakers won't blow and electrical fires can start at any time. Not to mention live wires will be hanging everywhere. Learn how to shut off all types breakers. There are many types of systems but here are a few guidelines: -Never look directly at the switch / breaker as you turn it off, the possible arc may blind you. - Use your non-dominant hand in case a charge attempts to energize your arm, turning it into a jelly-like instrument for some time. - Place your other [dominant] hand behind your back to prevent completing a circuit to ground, a very nasty situation indeed. - Turn off ALL local breakers [the small ones] prior to shutting off the main breakers. This prevents a massive surge of current occurring when the main breakers are turned off thus reducing the chances of arc burns and/or electrocution . - Ensure the ground / floor you're standing on is dry and clear of debris, if not make it so before touching the breakers. - Try at all costs not to touch, the actual metal of the box the breaker[s] are housed in. If you can not avoid touching the housing [i.e.. to open housing door] don't do it with a bare hand. - check for flammable gases in the electrical area prior to throwing any switch. |