How many rescuers are needed in an Entry Rescue procedure?
A first aid procedure with immobilization and subsequent movement of a traumatized person is in itself a complex operation but necessary to avoid damage.
The difficulties increase in correspondence with obstacles and narrow passages such as vertical or horizontal manholes.
Let’s also add the possible use of self-contained breathing apparatus for rescue and EEBD with its weight and bulk.
It is clear that in the best cases, such as the extraction of an injured person through a horizontal passage at ground level, at least two internal and two external rescuers may be needed, ready to pass the injured person one by one.
If we do a quick calculation, it means that for just one worker inside, we need 4 outside, available and trained, ready to intervene in a reasonably short time. Click Here for Hole Watcher Course in UAE
The fact is that the choice of the number of employees is never arbitrary but always depends on the real physical conditions of the environment in which they will work… unless you are able to immobilize, pack, lift and pass through a trap door an injured person yourself.
Conclusions on Entry Rescue procedures:
Based on what you have seen in this article, it should be clear to you that a standard copy/paste procedure.
Each confined environment is a story in itself with procedures to be studied from time to time, based on numerous factors including:
- Shape, position and size of the manhole;
- Development and internal conformation of the confined space;
- Localization within the company;
- Number of operators needed or rescuers available…
- And numerous other variants including, above all, atmospheric risks.
The procedures are conditioned by the technical means available or purchasable on the market which always require effective training. Click Here for Confined Space Entry Course
Some settlements were so high that they far exceeded insurance premiums.
The risk of causing spinal cord trauma or other equally serious trauma during rescue in confined spaces should lead the Employer and its RSPP to pay greater attention to certain types of procedure by taking the most appropriate measures.
Perhaps relying on external services or professionals where you do not have sufficient experience or internal staff.
We have noticed instead that, perhaps due to lack of knowledge or poor technical skills and availability, most companies settle the matter with “carp fishing” procedures even when physically inapplicable or very dangerous for the reasons just explained.
The same article invites coordination with the bodies responsible for medical rescue (118) and with the Fire Brigade.
Coordination does not mean completely relying and in any case it is not easy as the rescuers are neither equipped nor trained to enter confined spaces.
