WWFT Firefighters, Divers Help Scouts Earn Lifesaving Badge
Posted
Amanda Bridgman-
Boy Scouts with Troop 715 braved the chilling waters of Center Lake Sunday to learn ice rescue techniques taught by firefighters.
Drew Shilling, a lieutenant with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and part of the dive team, said Sunday’s activity was part of the training required for the scouts to earn their lifesaving merit badge, which is needed to earn an Eagle rank.
About a dozen members of the troop showed up Sunday morning to suit up and learn how to toss rope and about the effects of hypothermia.
Shilling and WWFT firefighter and dive team member Quinten Stamper taught the scouts about reach rescue by throwing rope and using poles.
A surface water rescue will be taught later in the year at Warsaw Community High School’s swimming pool, Shilling said.
Shilling said the training Sunday was particularly timely because the ice is no longer safe to go on, and noted recent fishermen who have fallen through and had to be saved.
“If you fall through, even if you’re hanging on the ice, hypothermia can set in within a couple of minutes,” Shilling said. “In about 10 to 30 minutes people are slipping into the water.”
The first rule of thumb the Scouts were taught Sunday was to always first call 911.
