Copyright 2006 The Deseret News Publishing Co.
By WENDY LEONARD
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
MURRAY, Utah — It took rescue crews only two minutes Friday night to respond to a capsized canoe at Willow Pond, where three victims were left clinging to the sides of the boat in frigid water.
Fortunately, the victims were actors, and they came dressed for the occasion in dry-suits.
The Salt Lake County Search and Rescue team assisted the Murray Fire Department in responding to the simulated drowning at the park, 6059 S. Murray Parkway Ave. (1080 West). The goal was for rescuers to receive hands-on training in preparation for warmer weather, when people will be venturing outdoors and participating in water-related activities.
Most often, Murray City Fire responds to swift-water rescue operations involving rivers and creeks in the area. Deputy Fire Marshal Jesse Valenzuela said emergency situations can arise as water levels surge from melting snow.
“Even though it seems like springtime with nice, warmer temperatures, the water is still very cold,” he said. “You put yourself into that environment anywhere from 10 to 15 seconds, and research has shown that your body slows down and the early stages of hypothermia set in, which will cause you to cramp up and stop your swimming, and you’ll actually drown in this cold water.”
On Friday, there were clear skies above but near-frozen water in Willow Pond.
Surface divers went in to fetch the victims floating on the water and quickly learned that one of the victims, actually a dummy, had drowned. Deep-water rescue divers were then called in to search for the body.
“No matter how cold the water is, we’re still going to go in,” said Murray firefighter Dave Florin, who braved the low temperatures to “do his job.”
Valenzuela said firefighters spend a lot of time training so they’ll be ready for whatever situation they are faced with.
“We’re learning, as we’re doing this, to perfect our skills in addition to showing off our skills, where we are gauged as far as our efficiency goes and what we need to do to get better,” he said. “There’s a lot of adrenaline even though this is a test.”
Salt Lake County has few areas with pristine waters where people might drown, so rescue workers must learn to perform in various conditions, said Dan Smith, vice commander of the county’s search and rescue team. He said the team practices diving rescues at least twice a month in water that is often either muddy, shallow, fairly clear or deep.
“We’re training for real life,” he said. “The conditions aren’t always adequate for diving, and we have to be ready for anything.”
The divers are equipped with high-tech gear, including rubber-like suits meant to protect them from whatever lies beneath the water’s surface.
“The reality is much like you’ve heard about the Jordan River,” Smith said. “There are some not-so-good things in that water that could be potentially dangerous to our divers.”
The Jordan River happens to be a common location for search and rescue operations in the county, as well as Big and Little Cottonwood creeks, where water runs cold and fast during much of the year.
The agencies coordinated their efforts, and fortunately, no one was actually injured. But officials welcomed the practice so that when emergencies occur, they will be ready.
Spring runoff overwhelmed several creeks and rivers last year, causing flooding in many areas. Officials say the snowpack is even thicker this year and they caution Utahns to protect themselves from potential water disasters.
“Make sure you’re aware that if your kids come down for some early fishing or goofing around by the waterside, they have to be extremely careful because accidents can happen,” Valenzuela said. “You can prevent some hazards from happening.”