Ocean Rescue Swimmer Course Placencia Belize

Fire Management Consultant and Robert’s Grove Resort Placencia Belize 2015 Ocean Rescue Swimmer Course

This course will cover basic water rescue skills needed for surface water rescue and surf rescue requirements.

The class will include information on the aquatic environment, a thorough explanation of the drowning process, how to perform a rescue in the open water environment, use of basic rescue equipment, medical care of injuries specific to the aquatic environment, search and rescue procedures.

Date and Location

Robert’s Grove Resort, Placencia, Belize. June 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Class starts at 8:30 am.

The Inn at Robert’s Grove is situated on the Placencia Peninsula, an 18-mile stretch of paradise that is just out from the mainland in southern Belize, where the best beaches in Belize are located.

Located 100 miles south of Belize City and the International Airport; five miles from Placencia Village, and a half-mile from the village of Seine Bight. Roberts Grove is two miles from the Placencia airstrip.

Basic course details

• Rescue priorities and safety
• Elements of a rescue
• Distressed swimmer recognition
• Getting help to the victims
• Rescue swimmer operations
• Equipment
• Pre-underway checks
• Ocean/Surf Dynamics
• Rescue swimmers equip
• Rescue swimmer operations
• Entering the water
• Contacting the victim
• Bringing victim in

Registration and resort discount for the course

Contact Roberts Grove at Tel: 501-523-3565, Toll-Free: 800-565-9757
A 50% room discount will be offered for those attending this conference

Advanced rescue swimmer course details

Prerequisite: Student must be able to swim
Cost: $160 US $320 Belize
Contact Phillip Queen at 209-612-8832 or phill@firemanagementconsultant.com
Register online: on the Fire Management Consultant website.

Registration deadline

Payment must be received by May 1st, 2015.
A late charge of $50 will be applied for registrations received after the deadline date.
Payment must be received in order to secure your registration!
Cancellations must be received 14 days prior to the class start date. A cancellation fee of $60 US will be charged for any cancellations.

This course prepares the hospitality industry that provides services in and near the water to be responsible for the safety of its guests and employees. It introduces key concepts and practices utilized and include discussions about decision making, drowning prevention, rescue, and recovery for those who work and play near the water. Course Objectives: To provide ocean and open water rescue training for those who may be responsible for rescue services and assistance to those in the hospitality industry.

All pictures above are courtesy of Robert’s Grove  Beach Resort

Agenda

• Be flexible (dealing with weather and possible mechanical issues)
• Student Safety
• Safety Equipment
• Learn new skills, increase knowledge and confidence, have fun

Lecture

• Hand signals
• Rescue priorities and safety (risk vs. Gain)
• Distressed swimmer recognition
• Getting help to the victims
• Rescue swimmer operations
• Equipment
• Ocean/Surf Dynamics

Hands-On Training on the beach

• Safety/Hand Signals Review
• Ocean Swim

Rescue Swimmer Operations

• Rescue swimmer operations
• Rescue tubes
• Entering the water
• Contacting the victim
• Bring victim in
• Review: rescue tubes/hand signals
• Rescue paddleboards
• Throw bag
• Basic towing small objects (kayaks paddleboards etc.)
• Review Rescue paddleboards/hand signals
• Multi victim rescues
• Tethered swimmer
• Working Around Piers/fixed objects
• Injured victims/extrication from water
• Submerged victim retrieval

About the instructors

Steve Bitto, FMC – Division Chief – Ocean Surf Rescue

Steve started his Fire Service career as a volunteer firefighter with San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Fire Dept. in 1983, where he served for 7 years before being hired full time with Cambria Fire Dept. in 1990. During his 25 year career with Cambria Fire, he has served as Training Officer, Fire Prevention Officer, and Fire Investigator. He received his California Fire Officer Certification and was promoted to Captain in 1995. Steve helped develop and implement an Ocean Rescue Program for Cambria Fire Department called North Coast Ocean Rescue (NCOR), in 1994 and the team is still going strong after 20 years. He also assisted with the development of the first-ever SLO County Coastal Response Plan and the SLO County Fire Investigation Strike Team.

Steve is currently the Senior Captain with Cambria Fire Dept, a member of the SLO County Coastal Response Team, and also the Team Coordinator and Training officer for NCOR. He is an avid fisherman, surfer, and waterman. Steve has been the Water Rescue Division Chief of FMC for the last 5 years and has taught classes around California and as far away as Singapore. His goal is to promote First Responder safety while teaching the skills needed to assist others in hazardous water environments.

David Glaser, Rescue Operations Training – Instructor

David Glaser has been employed with the City of Carpinteria for 14 yrs. and currently serves as a Beach Lifeguard Supervisor in charge of the Rookie Lifeguard Training Program. His commitment to Safety is exemplified by his 30 yrs. of service as a Professional Lifeguard on numerous Southern California Beaches along with providing ocean kayak instruction and tour guides.

David’s extensive background includes serving as a Harbor Patrol Officer in Ventura, CA for 21 yrs. where he trained fellow Officers by developing and teaching Boat Maneuvering and Rescue Procedures, Marine Fire Fighting, and Personal Watercraft Operations. During such time, David conducted boating accident investigations and became a Qualified Expert Witness facilitating case resolution. David was a certified instructor for DBAW (Department of Boating & Waterways), and for POST where he taught Standards of Training to Officers throughout California. David previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Rescue Boat Operator where he also engaged in high-risk contraband detection patrols. David’s purpose is to enhance water rescue skills and techniques that will be used to save lives.

Rescue Swimmers Course Placencia Belize picture courtesy of Roberts Grove