• Preplan a confined space incident so that a safe, standard approach is used during a confined space rescue emergency, hazards are recognized and documented, isolation methods are identified and documented, all accesses to the location of the entry opening are identified and documented, all types of entry openings are identified and documented, and internal configurations and special resource needs are documented for future rescuer use.
• Assess the incident so that general area and space-specific hazards can be identified, bystanders and victims are interviewed, immediate and ongoing monitoring of the space is performed, the victims’ conditions and location can be determined, a risk-benefit analysis can be performed, methods of ingress and egress for rescuer and victims are identified, rescue systems for victim removal are determined, and an emergency means of retrieval for rescue entrants can be established.
• Conduct monitoring of the environment so that a representative sample of the space is obtained, accurate readings are made, readings are documented, and effects of ventilation in determining atmospheric conditions and the conditions of the space have been determined for exposures to existing or potential environmental hazards.
• Control hazards so that the rescue area is established; access to the incident scene is controlled; rescuers are protected from exposure to hazardous materials and atmospheres, all forms of harmful energy releases, and physical hazards; and victims are protected from further harm.
• Prepare for entry into the confined space so that patient communication is established when possible, continuous atmospheric monitoring is initiated, rescuer readiness is verified, rescuers’ limitations are identified and considered, rescuers unsuitable to entry operations are reassigned and replaced, route and methods of entry are determined, and rescuer evacuation is considered.
• Enter a confined space so that the victim is contacted, safe entry is established and maintained, atmosphere is continuously monitored, the victim’s mental and physical condition can be further assessed, patient care is initiated, the patient is packaged to restrictions of the space, and patient removal can be initiated.
• Package the victim for removal from a confined space so that damage to the rescue/retrieval equipment is prevented, the victim is given the smallest possible profile, and further harm to the victim is minimized.
• Remove all entrants from a confined space so that internal obstacles and hazards are negotiated, all persons can be extricated from a space safely in the selected transfer device, the victim and rescuers can be decontaminated as necessary, and the victim can be delivered to the emergency medical services (EMS) provider.
• Secure the confined space access during termination so that all personnel are accounted for and removed from the space, injuries are avoided, further entry into the space is denied, and the scene is rendered safe.

Objectives:

• Develop a site survey for an existing water hazard, given historical data, specific personal protective equipment for conducting site inspections, flood insurance rate maps, tide tables, and meteorological projections, so that life safety hazards are anticipated, risk–benefit analysis is included, site inspections are completed, water conditions are projected, site-specific hazards are identified, routes of access and egress are identified, boat ramps (put-in and take-out points) are identified, and areas with high probability for victim location are determined.
• Select water rescue personal protective equipment, given a surface water rescue assignment and assorted items of water rescue personal protective equipment, so that the rescuer will be protected from temperature extremes and blunt trauma, the rescuer will have flotation for tasks to be performed, swimming ability will be maximized during rescue activities, self-rescue needs have been evaluated and provided for, and a means of summoning help has been provided.
• Swim a designated water course, given a course that is representative of the bodies of water existing or anticipated within the geographic confines of the AHJ, water rescue personal protective equipment, and swimming aids as required, so that the specified objective is reached, all performance parameters are achieved, movement is controlled, hazards are continually assessed, distress signals are communicated and rapid intervention for the rescuer has been staged for deployment.
• Define search parameters for a water rescue incident given topographical maps of a search area, descriptions of all missing persons and incident history, hydrologic data including speed and direction of current or tides, so that areas with high probability of detection are differentiated from other areas, witnesses are interviewed, critical interview information is recorded, passive and active search tactics are implemented, personnel resources are considered and used, and search parameters are communicated.
• Develop an action plan for a shore-based rescue of a single, water-bound victim, given an operational plan and a water rescue tool kit, so that all information is factored, risk–benefit analysis is conducted, protocols are followed, hazards are identified and minimized, personnel and equipment resources will not be exceeded, assignments are defined, consideration is given to evaluating changing conditions, and the selected strategy and tactics fit the conditions.
• Deploy a water rescue rope to a water-bound victim, given a water rescue rope in a throw bag and personal protective equipment, so that the deployed rope lands in the victim’s hands, the rescue rope does not slip through the rescuer’s hands, the victim is moved to the rescuer’s shoreline, the victim is not pulled beneath the surface by rescuer efforts, the rescuer is not pulled into the water by the victim, and neither the rescuer nor the victim is tied to or entangled in the throw line.
• Deploy a water rescue rope to a water-bound victim, given a coiled water rescue rope of 15.24 m to 22.86 m (50 ft to 75 ft) in length and personal protective equipment, so that the deployed rope lands in the victim’s hands, the rescue rope does not slip through the rescuer’s hands, the victim is moved to the rescuer’s shoreline, the victim is not pulled beneath the surface by rescuer efforts, the rescuer is not pulled into the water by the victim, and neither the rescuer nor the victim is tied to or entangled in the throw line.
• Deploy watercraft, given watercraft; support vehicles; watercraft conveyances; launch and recovery sites, docks, marinas or moorings; support personnel; and operational protocols; so that the watercraft is launched and recovered without damage or injury; trailers, conveyances, and support vehicles are utilized within the scope of their designed specifications; and the rescue effort is not delayed.
• Negotiate a designated water course in a watercraft, given a watercraft that is available to the team, a course that is representative of the bodies of water existing or anticipated within the geographic confines of the AHJ, a range of assignments and water rescue personal protective equipment, so that the specified objectives are attained, all performance parameters are achieved, movement is controlled, hazards are continually assessed, launch does not proceed if the watercraft is not adequate or incapable of operating in the existing condition, distress signals are communicated, and rapid intervention for the watercraft crew has been staged for deployment.
• As a member of a team, use a par buckling technique to extricate an incapacitated water-bound victim from the water to a watercraft, given a water hazard that is representative of the bodies of water existing or anticipated within the geographic confines of the AHJ, a watercraft that is available to the team, nets, webbing, blankets, tarpaulins or ropes, a means of securement, and water rescue personal protective equipment, so that the watercraft is not broached, control of the watercraft is maintained, risks to victim and rescuers are minimized, and the victim is removed from the hazard.
• Extricate an incapacitated water-bound victim from the water to the shore as a member of a team, given spinal stabilization devices, patient transfer devices, a water hazard that is representative of the bodies of water existing or anticipated within the geographic confines of the AHJ, and water rescue personal protective equipment, so that positive buoyancy for the victim and the rescuers is maintained, the victim’s airway, respiratory efforts, and ventilatory support are not compromised, the victim’s cervical spine is maintained in alignment, risks to victim and rescuers is minimized, and the victim is removed from the hazard.
• Perform a swimming surface water rescue, given water rescue personal protective equipment, swim aids as required, flotation aids for victims, and reach/extension devices, so that victim contact is maintained, the rescuer maintains control of the victim, the rescuer and the victim reach safety at a predetermined area, and medical conditions and treatment options are considered.
• Direct a team in the operation of a highline system as a member of a team, given rescue personnel, an established highline system, a load to be moved, and personal protective equipment, so that the movement is controlled, the load is held in place when needed, operating methods do not stress the system to the point of failure, personnel assignments are made and tasks are communicated, operational commands are communicated to personnel, and potential problems are identified, communicated, and managed.
• Define applications for helicopter aquatic rescue operations within the area of responsibility for the AHJ, given a helicopter service, operational protocols, helicopter capabilities and limitations, rescue procedures, and risk factors influencing helicopter operations, so that air-to-ground communications are established and maintained, applications are within the capabilities and skill levels of the helicopter service, the applications facilitate victim extraction from water hazards that are representative of the bodies of water existing or anticipated within the geographic confines of the AHJ, air crew and ground personnel safety are not compromised, landing zones are designated and secured, and fire suppression resources are available at the landing zone.

Objectives:

• Implement a trench emergency action plan so that initial size-up information is utilized; prebriefing is given to rescuers; documentation is ongoing; the collapse zone is established; a risk-benefit analysis is conducted; rapid, non entry rescues or victim(s) self-rescues are performed; the rescue area and general area is made safe; strategy and tactics are confirmed and initiated for existing and potential conditions; rapid intervention team and operational tasks are assigned; other hazards are mitigated; rescue resources are staged; and a protective system is being utilized.
• Implement support operations at trench emergencies so that a resource cache is managed, scene lighting is adequate for the tasks to be undertaken, environmental concerns are managed, a cut station is established, supplemental power is provided for all equipment, atmospheric monitoring and ventilation are implemented, personnel rehab is facilitated, operations proceed with interruption, extrication methods are in place, and the support operations facilitate rescue operational objectives.
• Construct load stabilization systems so that the stabilization system will support the load safely, the system is stable, and the assignment is completed.
• Lift a heavy load as a team member so that the load is lifted the required distance to gain access, settling or dropping of the load is prevented, control and stabilization are maintained before, during, and after the lift, and operational objectives are attained.
• Coordinate the use of heavy equipment so that operator suitability for task is considered, common communications are maintained, equipment usage supports the operational objectives, hazards are avoided, and life safety is maintained.
• Support a nonintersecting trench as a member of a team so that strategies to minimize the further movement of soil are implemented effectively, trench walls, lip and spoil pile are monitored continuously, rescue entry team(s) remain in a safe zone, any slough-in and wall shears are mitigated, emergency procedures and warning systems are established and understood by participating personnel, incident-specific personal protective equipment is utilized, physical hazards are identified and managed, victim and rescuer protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is staged.
• Support an intersecting trench as a member of a team so that strategies to minimize the further movement of soil are implemented effectively, trench walls, lip and spoil pile are monitored continuously, rescue entry team(s) in the trench remain in a safe zone, any slough-in and wall shears are mitigated, emergency procedures and warning systems are established and understood by participating personnel, incident-specific personal protective equipment is utilized, physical hazards are identified and managed, victim protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is staged.
• Install supplemental sheeting and shoring for each 2 ft. (0.61 m) of depth dug below an existing approved shoring system so that the movement of soil is minimized effectively, initial trench support strategies are facilitated, rescue entry team safe zones are maintained, excavation of entrapping soil is continued, victim protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is staged.
• Release a victim from entrapment by components of a collapsed trench so that hazards to rescue personnel and victims are minimized, considerations are given to crush syndrome and other injuries, techniques are used to enhance patient survivability, tasks are accomplished within projected time frames, and techniques do not compromise the integrity of the existing trench shoring system.
• Remove a victim from a trench so that basic life functions are supported as required, the victim is evaluated for signs of crush syndrome, methods and packaging devices selected are compatible with intended routes of transfer, universal precautions are employed to protect personnel from blood borne pathogens, and extraction times meet time constraints for medical management.
• Terminate a trench emergency incident so that all rescue equipment is removed from the trench, sheeting and shoring are removed in the reverse order of their placement, emergency protocols and safe zones in the trench are adhered to, rescue personnel are removed from the trench, and last supporting shores are pulled free with ropes, equipment is cleaned and serviced, reports are completed, and a post-briefing is performed.
   

• Construct a multi-point anchor system so that the chosen anchor system fits the incident needs, the system strength meets or exceeds the expected load and does not interfere with rescue operations, equipment is visually inspected prior to being put in service, the critical angle is not exceeded, the nearest safe anchor points are chosen, the anchor system is system safety checked prior to being placed into service, the integrity of the system is maintained throughout the operation, and weight will be distributed between more than one anchor point.

• Construct a compound rope mechanical advantage system so that the system constructed can accommodate the load, reduces the force required to lift the load, operational interference is factored and minimized, the system is efficient, a system safety check is completed, and the system is connected to an anchor system and the load.

• Construct a fixed rope system so that the system constructed can accommodate the load, is efficient, and is connected to an anchor system and the load a system safety check is performed and the results meet the incident requirements for descending or ascending operations.

• Direct the operation of a compound rope mechanical advantage system so that a system safety check is performed; the movement is controlled; the load can be held in place when needed; operating methods do not stress the system to the point of failure; operational commands are clearly communicated; and potential problems are readily identified, communicated, and managed.

• Complete an assignment while suspended from a rope rescue system so that risks to victims and rescuers are minimized, the means of attachment to the rope rescue system is secure, selected specialized equipment facilitates efficient rescuer movement, and specialized equipment does not unduly increase risks to rescuers or victims.

• Move a victim in a high-angle or vertical environment so that risks to victims and rescuers are minimized, undesirable victim movement within the transfer device is minimized, the means of attachment to the rope rescue system is secure, the victim is removed from the hazard, selected specialized equipment facilitates efficient victim movement, and the victim can be transported to the local EMS provider.

• Direct a team in the construction of highline system so that personnel assignments are made and clearly communicated, the system constructed can accommodate the load, tension applied within the system will not exceed the rated capacity of any of its component parts, system safety check is performed, movement on the system is efficient, and loads can be held in place or moved with minimal effort over the desired distance.

• Direct a team in the operation of a highline system so that the movement is controlled, the load is held in place when needed, operating methods do not stress the system to the point of failure, personnel assignments are made and tasks are clearly communicated, operational commands are distinctly communicated to personnel, and potential problems are readily identified, communicated, and managed.

• Ascend a fixed rope so that the person ascending is secured to the fixed rope in a manner that will not allow him or her to fall, the person ascending is secured to the rope by means of ascent control device(s) with at least two points of contact, injury to the person ascending is minimized, the person ascending can stop at any point on the fixed rope and rest suspended by his or her harness, the system will not be stressed to the point of failure, the person ascending can convert their ascending system to a descending system, and the system is suitable for the site and will facilitate reaching the desired objective.

• Descend a fixed rope so that the person descending is secured to the fixed rope in a manner that will not allow him or her to fall, the person descending is secured to the rope by means of a descent control device, the speed of descent is controlled, injury to the person descending is minimized, the person descending can stop at any point on the fixed rope and rest suspended by his or her harness, the system will not be stressed to the point of failure, and the system is suitable for the site and will facilitate reaching the desired objective.

Objectives:

• Conduct a size-up of a collapsed structure, given an incident and specific incident information, so that existing and potential conditions within the structure and the immediate periphery are evaluated, needed resources are defined, hazards are identified, construction and occupancy types are determined, collapse type is identified if possible, the need for rescue is assessed, a scene security perimeter is established, and the size-up is conducted within the scope of the incident management system.

• Determine potential victim locations, given size-up information, a structural collapse tool kit, the type of construction and occupancy, time of day, and collapse pattern, so that search areas are established and victims can be located. 
• Develop a collapse rescue incident action plan, given size-up information and a collapsed structure, so that initial size-up information is utilized, an incident management system is incorporated, existing and potential conditions within the structure and the immediate periphery are included, specialized resource needs are identified, work perimeters are determined, collapse type/category and associated hazards are identified, construction and occupancy types are determined, incident objectives are established, and scene security measures are addressed. Lift a heavy load as a team member so that the load is lifted the required distance to gain access, settling or dropping of the load is prevented, control and stabilization are maintained before, during, and after the lift, and operational objectives are attained.
• Implement a collapse rescue incident action plan, given an action plan and a collapsed structure, so that pertinent information is used, an incident management system is established and implemented, monitoring of dynamic conditions internally and externally is established, specialized resources are requested, hazards are mitigated, victim rescue and extraction techniques are consistent with collapse and construction type, and perimeter security measures are established. 
• Search a collapsed structure, given personal protective equipment, the structural collapse tool kit, an assignment, operational protocols, and size-up information, so that all victim locations and potential hazards are identified, marked, and reported; protocols are followed; the mode of operation can be determined; and rescuer safety is maintained.
• Stabilize a collapsed light-frame structure as a member of a team, given size-up information, a specific pattern of collapse, a basic structural collapse tool kit, and an assignment, so that strategies to effectively minimize the movement of structural components are identified and implemented; hazard warning systems are established and understood by participating personnel; incident-specific personal protective equipment is identified, provided, and utilized; physical hazards are identified; confinement, containment, and avoidance measures are discussed; and a rapid intervention team is established and staged.
• Stabilize a collapsed heavy construction-type structure as a member of a team, given size-up information, hazard-specific personal protective equipment, an assignment, a specific pattern of collapse, a basic structural collapse tool kit, specialized equipment necessary to complete the task, and engineering resources if needed, so that hazard warning systems are established and understanding by team members is verified, all unstable structural components that can impact the work and egress routes are identified, alternative egress routes are established when possible, expert resource needs are determined and communicated to command, load estimates are calculated for support system requirements, all shoring systems meet or exceed load-bearing demands, shoring systems are monitored continuously for integrity, safety protocols are followed, Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) are established and staged to aid search and rescue personnel in the event of entrapment, an accountability system is established, atmospheric monitoring is ongoing, and progress is communicated as required.
• Implement collapse support operations at a rescue incident, given an assignment and available resources, so that scene lighting is adequate for the tasks to be undertaken, environmental concerns are managed, personnel rehabilitation is facilitated, and the support operations facilitate rescue operational objectives. 
• Release a victim from entrapment by components of a collapsed structure, given personal protective equipment and resources for breaching, breaking, lifting, prying, shoring, and/or otherwise moving or penetrating the offending structural component, so that hazards to rescue personnel and victims are minimized, considerations are given to crush syndrome, techniques enhance patient survivability, tasks are accomplished within projected time frames, and techniques do not compromise the integrity of the existing structure or structural support systems.
• Remove a victim from a collapse incident, given a disentangled victim, a basic first aid kit, and victim packaging resources, so that basic life functions are supported as required, victim is evaluated for signs of crush syndrome, advanced life support is called if needed, methods and packaging devices selected are compatible with intended routes of transfer, universal precautions are employed to protect personnel from blood borne pathogens, and extraction times meet time constraints for medical management.
• Lift a heavy load as a team member, given a structural collapse tool kit and a load to be lifted, so that the load is lifted, control and stabilization are maintained before, during, and after the lift, and access can be gained. 
• Move a heavy load as a team member, given a structural collapse tool kit, so that the load is moved the required distance to gain access and so that control is constantly maintained. 
• Breach structural components, given an assignment, personal protective equipment, various types of construction materials, and a structural collapse tool kit, so that the opening supports the rescue objectives, the necessary tools are selected, structural stability is maintained, and the methods utilized are safe and efficient. 
• Cut through structural steel, given a structural collapse tool kit, personal protective equipment, and an assignment, so that the steel is efficiently cut, the victim and rescuer are protected, fire control measures are in place, and the objective is accomplished. 
• Construct cribbing systems, given an assignment, personal protective equipment, a structural collapse tool kit, various lengths and dimensions of construction-grade lumber, wedges, and shims, so that the cribbing system will safely support the load, the system is stable, and the assignment is completed.
• Coordinate the use of heavy equipment, given personal protective equipment, means of communication, equipment and operator, and an assignment, so that common communications are established, equipment usage supports the operational objective, hazards are avoided, and rescuer and operator safety protocols are followed