Trench Rescue: Level 1 – Basic Trench Rescue Concepts

Trench rescue is a highly specialized subset of confined space rescue. Trench rescue involves shoring up the sides of a trench, and digging a trapped worker out of a collapsed ditch. It is critical to protect rescuers. Trench rescue is one of the most dangerous rescue operations to complete. However it is given the least amount of respect by rescue personnel due an illusion that the dirt walls will not collapse.

Level 1 – 4 hour theory course.
This is a theory only course that reviews the problems that can and do occur in trench rescue incidents. Safety procedures, shoring techniques, proper procedures, team operations, and hazard assessment will all be discussed and explained in depth. We recommend this course for persons that need a level of awareness and those not directly involved in actual trench rescuing.

Cost:

$95 per person. Minimum 10 students to book, maximum 25 students per class.

Taxes not included in quoted prices

Pre-requisites for all levels: Mandatory:
Confined Spaces Level 1
Ground Disturbance
Suggested:
Detection and Control of Flammable Substances
*All courses taught to N.F.P.A 1001, 1006, and 1670

Trench Rescue – Level 2 Basic Trench Rescue Operations

Trench rescue is a highly specialized subset of confined space rescue. Trench rescue involves shoring up the sides of a trench, and digging a trapped worker out of a collapsed ditch. It is critical to protect rescuers. Trench rescue is one of the most dangerous rescue operations to complete. However it is given the least amount of respect by rescue personnel due an illusion that the dirt walls will not collapse.

Trench rescue does not use many high tech tools. In fact many of the tools are simple, such as wedges made of wood, sheets of plywood, and shovels. Pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical shoring are designed specifically for trench rescue and are available to professional rescue personnel. In a special situation, many different types of material found at the job site might be used by the rescuer to prevent further engulfment of the victim. Power tools should never be used, as these may cause injury to a trapped victim. Searching for the victim and excavation around the victim should only be performed with your hands. Plywood sheets are placed along the sides of the trench, and shoring bracers are placed between the sheets. Dirt is placed behind the plywood sheets to fill cavities from the collapse and to support the plywood and maintain pressure against the bracers. This is to prevent further collapse of the ditch sides. Once the ditch is secured, the rescue team may enter the ditch and recover the trapped victim.

Level 2 – 16 Hour Course

Students will spend one of these days doing live trench rescues. The students will be taught several ways to shore trenches, the different types of extrication techniques, proper rescue site management, as well as the proper safety concepts needed to complete a safe and successful rescue. There will be at least 2 live exercises in which the students will actually extricate a trapped victim from an open trench.

Cost:

$210 per person, minimum 10 to book

Group bookings only, minimum 10 students to book, maximum 25 students per class.

Taxes not included in quoted prices

Pre-requisites for all levels: Mandatory:
Confined Spaces Entrant/ Attendant (minimum)
Ground Disturbance
Suggested:
Detection and Control of Flammable Substances
Confined Spaces Rescue (3) is recommend over Confined Space Entrant/ Attendant
*All courses taught to N.F.P.A 1001, 1006, and 1670

Trench Rescue: Level 3 – Advanced Trench Collapse

Trench rescue is a highly specialized subset of confined space rescue. Trench rescue involves shoring up the sides of a trench, and digging a trapped worker out of a collapsed ditch. It is critical to protect rescuers. Trench rescue is one of the most dangerous rescue operations to complete. However it is given the least amount of respect by rescue personnel due an illusion that the dirt walls will not collapse.

Trench rescue does not use many high tech tools. In fact many of the tools are simple, such as wedges made of wood, sheets of plywood, and shovels. Pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical shoring are designed specifically for trench rescue and are available to professional rescue personnel. In a special situation, many different types of material found at the job site might be used by the rescuer to prevent further engulfment of the victim. Power tools should never be used, as these may cause injury to a trapped victim. Searching for the victim and excavation around the victim should only be performed with your hands. Plywood sheets are placed along the sides of the trench, and shoring bracers are placed between the sheets. Dirt is placed behind the plywood sheets to fill cavities from the collapse and to support the plywood and maintain pressure against the bracers. This is to prevent further collapse of the ditch sides. Once the ditch is secured, the rescue team may enter the ditch and recover the trapped victim.

Level 3 – 24 Hour Course

This class is designed to increase the skills learned in the basic trench rescue class. Rescue operations in intersecting, L-shaped, and deep trenches will be covered. Advanced trench rescue shoring techniques and concepts will also be shown.
The first day of this course will discuss problems that can and do occur in trench rescue incidents. The safety techniques, shoring techniques, proper procedures, team operations, and hazard assessment will all be discussed and explained in depth.
The second and third days of this three day program consist of hands on training in the field of trench rescue. This is conducted in live trenches. This is done in order to properly prepare the student for the real thing. The students will be taught several ways to shore trenches, the different types of extrication techniques, proper rescue site management, as well as the proper safety concepts needed to complete a safe and successful rescue. There will be at least two live exercises in which the students will actually extricate a simulated trapped victim from an open trench.

Cost:

$390.00 per person, minimum 10 to book

Group bookings only, minimum 10 students to book, maximum 25 students per class

Taxes not included in quoted prices

Pre-requisites for all levels: Mandatory:
Confined Spaces Rescue
Ground Disturbance
Suggested:
Detection and Control of Flammable Substances
*All courses taught to N.F.P.A 1001, 1006, and 1670

Trench Rescue: Level 4 – Trench Rescue Course

Trench rescue is a highly specialized form of rescue, a subset of confined space rescue. Trench rescue involves shoring up the sides of a trench, and digging a trapped worker out of a collapsed ditch. The area around a collapse should not be approached by any unnecessary personnel as this might cause further collapse of the sides.

Trench rescue is one of the most dangerous rescue operations to complete. However it is given the least amount of respect by rescue personnel due to ignorance of the power and weight of the collapsing dirt walls. Trench rescue training should only be practiced in a controlled professional environment designed specifically for trench rescue training.

Trench rescue does not use many high tech tools. In fact many of the tools are simple, such as wedges made of wood, sheets of plywood, and shovels. Pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical shoring are designed specifically for trench rescue and are available to professional rescue personnel. In a special situation, many different types of material found at the job site might be used by the rescuer to prevent further engulfment of the victim. Power tools should never be used, as these may cause injury to a trapped victim. Searching for the victim and excavation around the victim should only be performed with your hands. Plywood sheets are placed along the sides of the trench, and shoring bracers are placed between the sheets. Dirt is placed behind the plywood sheets to fill cavities from the collapse and to support the plywood and maintain pressure against the bracers. This is to prevent further collapse of the ditch sides. Once the ditch is secured, the rescue team may enter the ditch and recover the trapped victim.

Level 4 – Trench Rescue Course – 40 Hour Course
This class covers 40 hours of basic, operations level and technician level trench rescue entry. There is one day lecture and 3 days of hands on in this 4 day 10 hour day course. This is a very intense training session with numerous live trench scenarios being conducted. The course includes all the necessary lectures on safety, dangers, OSHA requirements, shoring materials, step by step procedures, teamwork, soil identification, testing and the safe and proper entry procedures. Hands on training in safing, ground pads, trench shoring & sheeting, pneumatic shores, deep trenches, intersecting trenches, L trenches, victim extrication, victim removal. Proper rescue procedures and safety is emphasized throughout the training. Your rescue team will be thoroughly trained and ready for operations in a live trench rescue incident after completion of this training course.

Cost:

$540 per person, minimum 10 to book

Group bookings only, minimum 10 students to book, maximum 25 students per class.

Taxes not included in quoted prices

Pre-requisites for all levels: Mandatory:
Confined Spaces Rescue
Ground Disturbance
Suggested:
Detection and Control of Flammable Substances
*All courses taught to N.F.P.A 1001, 1006, and 1670