New emergency equipment unveiled for water safety team in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan rescue crews are training with new tools they hope will help save more lives during water emergencies. Mick Favel has more.

A water safety support unit based in Echo Lake hosted sessions this week to present the new equipment they use in emergency situations.

On Thursday, The Amphibious Response Support Unit One (ARSU1) invited their partners out to see their new rescue device, the Dolphin 3 Plus.

“This is an absolute game changer,” said John Maczko, the director of ARSU1.

“We can get this faster out to a drowning victim than any rescue swimmer can get out to them,” he added.

The aquatic drone is remote controlled and can move over 20 feet per second.

When it reaches the person in distress, they are then able to grab a hold of the drone, and it can pull them back to safety.

ARSU1 also demonstrated the Aqua Eye Handheld Sonar. The equipment is used specifically for underwater searches and recovery operations.

The support unit partners with Echo Valley Provincial Park, along with the Fort Qu’Appelle Fire Department, both of whom were on hand for the demonstrations.

“The big city fire departments offer these services, and when citizens come out to the lake, they expect the same services. We found it beneficial to offer water rescue services in this area,” said Dave Shabirsh, the Fire Chief of the Fort Qu’Appelle Fire Department.

There are many types of rescue situations ARSU1 may come across, with things such as the weather playing a factor.

“You definitely have to keep your eye on the weather,” said Rob Hoban, a training assistant at ARSU1.

“It is a little lake, but there are some big winds here, and it doesn’t take a lot of water for you to get into trouble.”

ARSU1 has also started the Boating Safety Advisor Program. It is a first of its kind program in the province to promote safety on the water.

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Kaida Cochrane is a part of the program and said people are positive when it comes to learning about safety.

“Having someone walking the beaches promoting safety is big. We can answer any questions that people don’t know,” she said.

“People don’t think of the things you need on your boat. They don’t think you need a whistle or flashlight. But [you] don’t know what can happen out there,” she added.

Maczko said having the Dolphin is going to help ARSU1 for many future rescue missions. He suggests that towns, lakefront communities and other rescue teams look into purchasing one.

“Any place where there may be a risk of drowning that could occur. These systems are very easily deployable, and they don’t need a lot of training to be used successfully,” he said.

ARSU1 encourages the public to practice safe boating and take care around bodies of water.