ASTM F1765-97a(2014)

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Designation: F1765 − 97a (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Guide for
Ice Staff Self-Rescue Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1765; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 All persons who are identified as ice rescuers shall meet
the requirements of this guide.
1.1 This guide describes the self-rescue technique on ice
utilizing an ice staff.
3.3 This guide will assist government agencies; state, local,
or regional organizations; fire departments, rescue teams and
1.2 This guide is one in a series of self-rescue techniques for
others who are responsible for establishing a minimum perfor-
the ice rescuer.
mance for personnel who respond to ice emergencies.
1.3 Individuals who will operate in the cold water or ice
rescue setting need to be aware of the equipment and physical 3.4 This guide is not intended to be used in isolation, but as
requirements necessary to be able to perform all identified a component guide acknowledging many skills and techniques
objectives and necessary skills in the setting. needed to respond at a cold water and ice emergency.
3.5 An ice rescuer shall be wearing an immersion suit,
2. Terminology
drysuit with PFD, or equivalent cold water protection and
2.1 Definitions:
buoyancy to perform these rescues.
2.1.1 drysuit, n—a protective suit that encompasses the
3.6 Anicerescuershallcarryasetoficeawlsalongwiththe
wearer, prohibiting water from entering; a dry suit provides no
ice staff as a backup technique.
buoyancy or thermal protection without insulative undergar-
ments.
4. Procedure
2.1.2 ice awl, n—a device, consisting of a sharp spike with
a handle used for rescue on ice.
4.1 The ice rescuer should grasp the ice staff firmly near the
spiked end.
2.1.3 ice staff, n—a stick, pole, or rod with a sharp spike in
one end used to traverse on ice or rescue on ice.
4.2 Extend the staff in a downward slanting position tapping
2.1.4 immersion suit, n—designed to provide cold water
in a semicircle to test the ice.
protection and buoyancy by one person in cold water emer-
4.3 Listen for a clear, hard resonating sound indicating good
gencies.
ice.
2.1.4.1 Discussion—These devices should conform to stan-
dards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that
4.4 Move slowly onto the area of ice that has been tested.
is, the U.S. Coast Guard in the United States.
4.5 Continuetotraversebyslidingstepstolessentheimpact
2.1.5 personal flotation device (PFD), n— a buoyant device
of the footsteps while distributing body weight as evenly as
suitable for use by one person in water emergencies.
possible.
2.1.5.1 Discussion—These devices should conform to stan-
dards set by the appropriate national regulatory authority, that 4.6 When moving, continue listening
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