Columbia Fire Dept. Starts Swift Water Rescue Training
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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — As the weather warms up, folks in the midlands will be hitting area waterways and that means more potential for danger. Authorities say when the weather warms up sometimes they will receive 2-3 calls a day. For that reason, they were out on the river Wednesday for swift water rescue training so they can properly respond to any incidents. Rescuers hop into the chilly water of the Congaree River Wednesday morning to kick off a day of swift water rescue training. “It allows us to get out and exercise and refresh our skills and make sure that we’re ready to go should a call come in,” said Special Operations Chief Jason Krusen. The group spends three days practicing several scenarios and techniques including proper ways to swim in the current, how to reach someone stuck out in the river, and how to overcome obstacles they may face when making a rescue. “We’re able to pre-plan where some of these things are, go back and visit where we’ve had some recent calls and go ahead and look at those areas and see maybe what we could’ve done better,” said Krusen. Krusen says their training location Wednesday, just above the Riverbanks Zoo, is typically a high problem area. “This river is the most dangerous in the fact that it’s very dynamic,” said Krusen. “Flows change hour to hour.” For that reason, rescuers are not the only ones who need to remember proper safety while out on the river. “The water does have hazards,” said Capt. Brick Lewis. “It’s enjoyable but you have to be safe, just like everywhere else.” First things first, officials say never go in the water without a personal floatation device. “PFD’s, helmets are definitely a plus, but a PFD is a must have,” said Krusen. Officials add if you plan on going to the river, tell someone where you will be and for how long. They will continue training along the river until Friday night.
