Kalinga holds water search and rescue training

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 10 (PIA) -– Around 30 potential rescue responders here are undergoing a six-day Water Search and Rescue (WaSAR) course that started yesterday until July 14, to enhance the province’s emergency response capability .

Kalinga Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Coordinator Rosemarites Oyawon said the training is designed to enhance the skills capability of the local responders to be familiar with the standards in water, flood, and rope rescue increasing their effectiveness and limiting the possibility of liability during emergency operations.

As a training program of the Civil Defense Regional Office (OCD), the WaSAR also aims to provide the First Responders sufficient knowledge in water rescue operations such as rivers, open waters, or in flood prone areas.

Trainers from the OCD will talk on the natural hazards such as landslides and flooding on the regional setting through lectures and hands on application.

Trainer Rex Manuel said the participants would be undergoing hands-on skills training on Basic Life Support (BLS) and water related emergencies for them to be able to apply BLS- Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) and know how to assess patients.

Participants will also be provided knowledge on ropes lines and knots which is vital in rescue operation and in the effective conduct of emergency rescue transfer, in ensuring patient immobilization through the proper usage of spine board and bandages/rope, usage of rescue basket and improvised stretchers.

The training he said would also cover anchoring and belaying, mechanical advantage during rescues, concepts of water safety and swift water rescue, rubber boat and out board motor operation and maintenance.

According to Manuel, it is expected of each participant to be able to perform the basic rescue techniques through active participation in the exercises and class discussions during the entire training period.

Individual evaluation tests he said would also be undertaken and to be passed by the participants prior the issuance of certificate of training completion.

The training, which is also in compliance to the national government’s mandate for all local government units, to put in place their Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plans, is conducted through the partnership of the OCD, Provincial government of Kalinga and the City Government of Tabuk .(JDP/GGD-PIA CAR, Kalinga)