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The Lake in Luverne served as training grounds for local emergency responders to practice deep-water rescues Tuesday, July 7.
“Kayaking is popular on the river, and there are a lot of people using The Lake in Luverne,” said local paramedic Jill Johnson.
“So, having first responders get experience in the water before an emergency is important.”
Other fire departments, ambulance personnel and emergency responders from around Rock County trained at The Lake with simulations of cold-water rescue, diving accidents and other types of water rescue anticipated to be needed locally.
The Luverne Fire Department recently purchased a new rescue boat, and firefighters and first responders practiced how to handle victims in different scenarios on the water.
According to Fire Chief David Van Batavia, the July 7 training was a useful experience.
“It was perfect,” he said. “It was the first time the ambulance had been down there and the second time we’ve had the boat there.”
The Luverne Fire Department acquired the 14-foot inflatable watercraft for $10,000 about six months ago, and Van Batavia said last week’s practice was time well-spent.
“We just wanted to see what it would be like to pull someone over the side of the boat, and what we would do with a backboard to help load a patient into the boat,” Van Batavia said.
“That’s why we went out a few different times.”
With fireman Chad Buss playing the role of the “victim,” crews practiced responding to a kayaker complaining of chest pain, a kayaker unresponsive, a c-spine injury in the water and other scenarios.
The rescue boat has a 25-hp motor that can be removed to use the 300-pound (weight without the motor) watercraft for ice rescues or for flood victims.
Van Batavia said his department is not equipped for swift water rescues, which would involve specially trained Sioux Falls personnel.
Sanford Luverne coordinated the exercise through Harlan Vande Kieft, manager of Sanford Luverne’s Emergency Medical Services.
“One thing we’ve decided is important is working together as a team and staying current with each other’s resources,” Vande Kieft said.