Rescue Operation – JSS2 Basic Technology Lesson Note (First Term)

A rescue operation is an organised response to save a person or people from a dangerous situation, or to prevent injury during an accident.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what rescue operations are;
2. state the objectives of rescue operations;
3. describe the types of rescue operations, such as ASR and vehicle extrication;
4. list situations that require rescue operations;
5. name tools and equipment used in rescue operations and state their uses;
6. outline the steps taken in a rescue operation.

What are rescue operations?

Rescue operations are responsive operations organised to save a person or people from dangerous situations, or to prevent injury during an accident.

• Responsive: the operation starts after an accident or danger has already happened.
• Organised: rescuers work as a team with a plan, tools and training.
• Aim: to bring victims out safely and give them help quickly.

Who carries out rescue operations?

Rescue operations are carried out by trained people, not by the public acting alone.

• Firemen: rescue people from burning buildings and other fire outbreaks.
• Police: secure the scene and help to remove victims from danger.
• Military personnel: carry out rescues in war zones, at sea and in large disasters.
• First aid workers: give emergency care to injured people at the scene.
• Ambulance attendants: move injured people safely to hospital.

What are the objectives of rescue operations?

The two objectives of rescue operations are to save lives and to prevent injury.

1. To save lives: victims are located and brought out of danger as fast as possible.
2. To prevent injury: victims are removed and handled carefully during an accident or dangerous situation.

What are the types of rescue operations?

There are eight types of rescue operations: air-sea rescue, combat search and rescue, mine rescue, cave rescue, surface-water rescue, vehicle extrication, confined space rescue and urban search and rescue.

1. Air-Sea Rescue (ASR): the coordinated search and rescue of emergency water landings, and of people who have survived a shipwreck or boat mishap.
2. Combat search and rescue (CSAR): search and rescue operations carried out during war, within or near the combat zone.
3. Mine rescue: the specialised job of rescuing miners and others who are trapped or injured in underground mines after mine accidents.
4. Cave rescue: the rescue of people who are trapped, lost or injured in the wilderness or in caves.
5. Surface-water rescue: the rescue of a person who is afloat on the surface of a body of water.
6. Vehicle extrication: the process of removing the vehicle from around a person who has been involved in a motor accident.
7. Confined space rescue: the rescue and recovery of victims trapped in a confined space, such as tanks, sewers and underground vaults.
8. Urban search and rescue: the location, extrication and initial medical stabilisation of victims trapped in collapsed buildings or trenches.

Which situations need rescue operations?

A rescue operation is needed whenever people are trapped, injured or in danger and cannot help themselves.

What tools and equipment are used in rescue operations?

Rescue tools are the machines, vehicles, animals and devices that help rescuers find, free and carry victims.

What are the steps in a rescue operation?

A rescue operation follows an orderly sequence from raising the alarm to handing the victim to medical workers.

1. Raise the alarm and call the trained emergency services.
2. Check the scene for danger, such as fire, fumes, falling objects or traffic.
3. Make the area safe for rescuers and victims.
4. Locate the victims.
5. Free the victims, using the right tools for the situation.
6. Give first aid.
7. Move the victims to hospital by ambulance or other safe means.

What safety rules should students follow near an accident?

Students should never take risks at an accident scene, because a second victim makes the rescue harder.

• Stay calm: panic wastes time and causes mistakes.
• Call for help: alert adults and the emergency services at once.
• Keep back: stay clear of fire, deep water, wrecks and damaged buildings.
• Leave the rescue to trained people: they have the tools and skills to do it safely.
• Do not crowd the scene: onlookers block rescuers and ambulances.

Evaluation

1. What are rescue operations?
2. What is vehicle extrication?
3. Mention five (5) situations that require rescue operations.
4. State ten (10) tools used in rescue operations.
5. Describe ASR.

Assignment

State the two objectives of rescue operations, then choose any three types of rescue operations and describe each one.