KSAWTV.COM | Twin Falls News, Breaking News, Weather and Sports-First Responders Train In Swift Water Rescue
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PAYETTE, IDAHO--
Hot summer weather makes getting out on the water tempting but local first responders say everyone thinking of hitting the water this summer should be careful.
"Be safe on it it's critically important so it doesn't change your life forever", says Payette City Rural Fire Chief Jeff Sands.
Already this year water rescues have been happening all over the Valley. From the Boise River to the Snake and Payette Rivers dive and rescue teams have been busy.
Now the Payette County Sheriff's office along with city and county firefighters are going through a special training something they say makes them better prepared to dive into the water and save a life.
"This is just some outstanding training to give us tools and techniques to be able to save victims that we have in water rescues", Chief Sands said.
"Swift water rescue is probably one of the more dangerous elements in a firefighter's career", says Nate Ostis.
Nate Ostis travels the globe instructing different departments on water rescues. His mission is to inform first responders on proper techniques for getting in the water, keeping themselves safe, and exactly how to save others.
"Combative swimmer will see you as nothing but a big old large raft and will climb right up on top of us and have no problems pushing us underneath", Ostis said.
The training is the first of it's kind of for firefighters in Payette. They say this will help better prepare them for rescues.
"We're just going to be much safer when we have these calls", says Sands.
The Departments have already begun looking at way to implement the training year round.
