Submerged Vehicle

							Submerged Vehicle

     Awareness
              Objectives
 Describe Public Safety SCUBA PPE
 Describe initial vehicle behavior
 Identify hazards associated with
  submerged vehicle
 Identify training concerns for submerged
  vehicle extrication
                    Size Up
   Normal vehicle
    extrication cues are
    absent
   Most dives will be
    blackwater operations
   Must rely on own
    knowledge of vehicles
   Visualize scene
    underwater
                        Size Up
   Type of vehicle              Other Considerations
   Window position on               Model
    entry                            State when found
   Surface clues                    Damage, windows
       Tracks, damage               Distance from shore
       Personal belongings          Depth,current,wind
       Oil
            Always search shore!




   Passengers who self extricated prior to arrival
   Ejections
   Victims who may have floated away
       Especially true of infants
                      DIVER PPE
   Public Safety
       Drysuits
       Full face masks
       Pony bottles
       Locking Harness
       Multiple cutting tools
       Contingency SCUBA
        setup
       Tethered with tender
        and hardwire
        communication
                    Project S.T.A.R.
   1992 Study
          25 standard production
           autos were launched
           into the water
          Measured
               Flotation times
               Damage to vehicle
               Viability of electrical
                system
               In car video recording
                Vehicle behavior
   Average float time
    after impact
       2-3 minutes
   Buoyancy affected by
       Condition of windows
       Integrity of doors
       Window and door
        seals
   SCHOOL BUSES
    ARE DEADLY!
                Vehicle behavior
   Starting to sink
       Tendency to sink nose
        first due to engine
       Water enters through
        air vents as air
        escapes through
        backseat and trunk
       Water deeper than 14’
        results in vehicle
        inversion
                 Vehicle behavior
   Electrical System
       Lights
       Windshield wipers
       Windows
       Operational for up to
        10 minutes after
        submerged
                  Vehicle Hazards
   Entanglement
       Steering wheels
       Shifters
       Hand brakes
       Loose carpeting
       Seat belts
       Loose carpeting
       Wiring
   Broken glass
   Twisted metal
   Seat springs
                Vehicle Hazards
   Cars in current
   Vehicle shifting
    trapping diver
       Never be on
        downstream side of
        vehicle
       Underwater eddy digs
        hole
A potential fatal hazard
               Gas filled containers
                   Soda bottles can
                    dislodge mask or
                    regulator
                   A spare tire can break
                    a divers neck!
               When searching a
                submerged vehicle
                stay low!
                Vehicle Hazards
   Hazmat
       Aspiration of oil-
        contaminated water
        can be deadly
       Petroleum contact with
        eyes can cause
        temporary blindness
       Drugs, Meth Labs.
        (cocaine becomes
        acid in water)
       Decontamination
        procedures post-dive
Training Considerations
               SCUBA
                   Black water
                   Entanglements
                   Out of air emergencies
                   Non-electronic
                    communications
                   Entering vehicle
                        Securing an open
                         passageway
                        Managing
                         entanglements
                 Review
 What’s the best method to escape from a
  sinking automobile?
 In water greater than 14’, how will and
  automobile tend to land?
 What may a diver infer if he discovers the
  electrical system is still operating?
 Based on Project STAR, what will kill the
  busdriver?