ASTM F1783-97(2021)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer-Level II
Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer-Level II
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is to be used to expand the performance of water rescuers and improve the emergency response and patient care delivered to victims in the cold water and ice rescue environment.
4.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide.
4.3 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as a component guide acknowledging many duties of response at a cold water and ice rescue emergency. It also establishes a minimum scope of performance and encourages the addition of optional knowledge, skills, and attitudinal objectives.
4.4 This guide does not establish medical protocols, nor does it authorize invasive procedures without specific authorization and medical control.
4.5 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations, fire departments, rescue teams, and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to cold water and ice emergencies.
4.6 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and buoyancy to perform these rescues.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope of performance of an ice rescuer who performs cold water and ice rescues from the surface, assists with support for ice rescue divers, and provides initial patient care at a cold water or ice rescue incident.
1.2 This guide is one of a series that, together with Guide F1739, describes the minimum performance requirements of an ice rescuer.
1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified objectives and necessary skills in the setting.
1.4 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 14-Nov-2021
- Technical Committee
- F32 - Search and Rescue
- Drafting Committee
- F32.03 - Personnel, Training and Education
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2007
- Effective Date
- 10-Nov-1996
- Effective Date
- 10-Nov-1996
Overview
ASTM F1783-97(2021): Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer-Level II sets essential guidelines for individuals and teams involved in cold water and ice rescue operations. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures a baseline for performance, safety, and preparedness among ice rescuers who work in challenging and hazardous environments. It specifies the minimum requirements that enable rescuers to perform effectively when conducting surface rescues, assisting ice rescue divers, and providing initial patient care during cold water and ice incidents.
Ice rescue operations demand specialized skills, equipment, and training. This guide serves to enhance the expertise of water rescuers, improve emergency response effectiveness, and support government agencies, fire departments, and rescue organizations responsible for establishing protocols and performance criteria for cold water and ice emergencies.
Key Topics
The ASTM F1783-97(2021) standard covers a wide range of critical topics for ice rescue professionals, including:
- Minimum Requirements: Defines the scope of skills, equipment, and physical capability necessary for ice rescuers operating on ice and in cold water scenarios.
- Equipment Proficiency: Details the required protective clothing such as immersion suits, drysuits with personal flotation devices (PFDs), ice awls, ice staffs, and rescue lines.
- Rescue Techniques: Outlines essential rescue methods, including:
- Surface rescues on ice
- Support for ice rescue divers
- Self-rescue techniques using ice awls and ice staffs
- Use of floating and weighted tethers for victim or object retrieval
- Throw-bag and coiled rope techniques
- Scene Evaluation: Emphasizes the importance of assessing ice conditions, evaluating hazards, determining the number and condition of victims, and deciding on appropriate rescue actions.
- Patient Care: Specifies expectations for initial patient care, including minimizing risk of further injury during rescue and transfer processes.
- Performance Objectives: Lists core and optional objectives tailored to territorial and resource variations among agencies.
Applications
This standard is crucial for organizations and personnel involved in emergency preparedness and public safety:
- Emergency Response Teams: Equips ice rescue teams, fire departments, and municipal agencies with a consistent framework for training, skill assessment, and operational procedures during ice incidents.
- Training Programs: Serves as a foundation for developing robust training curricula for ice rescuers, ensuring preparedness for a variety of scenarios such as submerged victims, weak ice conditions, and hazardous rescue environments.
- Agency Policy Development: Assists governments at the local, state, and regional levels in setting minimum requirements and best practices for cold water and ice rescue responses.
- Resource Planning: Helps agencies identify necessary equipment and personnel needs, promoting readiness for incidents involving ice or cold water exposure.
- Continuous Improvement: Encourages lifelong learning by emphasizing that the guide should be used alongside additional knowledge and skills relevant to evolving rescue technologies and local environmental conditions.
Related Standards
ASTM F1783-97(2021) references and complements additional standards that collectively create a comprehensive framework for water and ice rescue proficiency:
- ASTM F1739 - Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer-Level I: Specifies baseline requirements for water rescuers, providing foundational skills integrated into the Level II ice rescuer guide.
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) Standards: Ensures all cold water protection complies with national regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
- International Standardization Guidelines: Developed in accordance with globally recognized principles established by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
By following ASTM F1783-97(2021), organizations and rescuers uphold best practices in ice rescue, promoting safety, effective emergency response, and improved patient care in challenging cold water environments. This standard is essential for any entity committed to safeguarding lives during ice and cold water emergencies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM F1783-97(2021) is a guide published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Guide for Performance of an Ice Rescuer-Level II". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This guide is to be used to expand the performance of water rescuers and improve the emergency response and patient care delivered to victims in the cold water and ice rescue environment. 4.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide. 4.3 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as a component guide acknowledging many duties of response at a cold water and ice rescue emergency. It also establishes a minimum scope of performance and encourages the addition of optional knowledge, skills, and attitudinal objectives. 4.4 This guide does not establish medical protocols, nor does it authorize invasive procedures without specific authorization and medical control. 4.5 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations, fire departments, rescue teams, and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to cold water and ice emergencies. 4.6 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and buoyancy to perform these rescues. SCOPE 1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope of performance of an ice rescuer who performs cold water and ice rescues from the surface, assists with support for ice rescue divers, and provides initial patient care at a cold water or ice rescue incident. 1.2 This guide is one of a series that, together with Guide F1739, describes the minimum performance requirements of an ice rescuer. 1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified objectives and necessary skills in the setting. 1.4 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This guide is to be used to expand the performance of water rescuers and improve the emergency response and patient care delivered to victims in the cold water and ice rescue environment. 4.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet the requirements of this guide. 4.3 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as a component guide acknowledging many duties of response at a cold water and ice rescue emergency. It also establishes a minimum scope of performance and encourages the addition of optional knowledge, skills, and attitudinal objectives. 4.4 This guide does not establish medical protocols, nor does it authorize invasive procedures without specific authorization and medical control. 4.5 This guide is intended to assist government agencies, state, local, or regional organizations, fire departments, rescue teams, and others who are responsible for establishing a minimum performance for personnel who respond to cold water and ice emergencies. 4.6 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit, drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and buoyancy to perform these rescues. SCOPE 1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope of performance of an ice rescuer who performs cold water and ice rescues from the surface, assists with support for ice rescue divers, and provides initial patient care at a cold water or ice rescue incident. 1.2 This guide is one of a series that, together with Guide F1739, describes the minimum performance requirements of an ice rescuer. 1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified objectives and necessary skills in the setting. 1.4 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM F1783-97(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM F1783-97(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F1739-96(2024), ASTM F1739-96(2018), ASTM F1739-96(2012), ASTM F1739-96(2007), ASTM F1739-96(2002), ASTM F1739-96. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM F1783-97(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1783 − 97 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Performance of an Ice Rescuer—Level II
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1783; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript 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. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of performance of an ice rescuer who performs cold water and
3.1.1 drysuit, n—a protective suit that encompasses the
ice rescues from the surface, assists with support for ice rescue
wearer, prohibiting water from entering.Adrysuit may provide
divers, and provides initial patient care at a cold water or ice
no buoyancy or thermal protection without insulation under-
rescue incident.
garments or a buoyancy compensating device.
1.2 This guide is one of a series that, together with Guide
3.1.2 floating tether, tag line, n—a water rescue technique
F1739, describes the minimum performance requirements of
which stretches a line across a body of water. This line has a
an ice rescuer.
flotation device attached to it to keep the rope on the surface of
the water and to provide a buoyant object for the victim to grab
1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice
hold.
rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical
requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified
3.1.3 ice awls, n—a device used for rescue on ice consisting
objectives and necessary skills in the setting.
of a sharp spike with a handle.
1.4 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to
3.1.4 ice staff, n—a stick, pole, or rod with a sharp spike in
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
one end used to traverse on ice or rescue on ice.
parentheses are for information only.
3.1.5 immersion suit, n—designed to provide cold water
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
protection and buoyancy by one person in cold water emer-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gencies. These devices should conform to standards set by the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
appropriatenationalregulatoryauthority,thatis,theU.S.Coast
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Guard in the United States.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.6 personal flotation device, PFD, n—a buoyant device
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
suitable for use by one person in water emergencies. These
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
devices should conform to standards set by the appropriate
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast Guard in
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the United States.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.7 sinking tether, snag line, n—a water rescue technique
that stretches a weighted line across a body of water to snag or
2. Referenced Documents
support fully or partly submerged objects and people.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.8 vessel, n—includes every description of watercraft,
F1739 Guide for Performance of a Water Rescuer—Level I
includingnondisplacementcraftandseaplanes,usedorcapable
of being used as a means of transportation on water.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
4. Significance and Use
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
Training and Education.
4.1 This guide is to be used to expand the performance of
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
water rescuers and improve the emergency response and
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1783 – 97 (2013).
patient care delivered to victims in the cold water and ice
DOI: 10.1520/F1783-97R21.
rescue environment.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the requirements of this guide.
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