Proposals 2002-2003

• Trunk Mobile Radios (TMR) - Nova Scotia
• Drowning Research – 10^th year anniversary
• Ingestion of Grand Bank Surface Current Data for CANSARP
• Emergency Response During Events
• Sea Kayaking SAR Prevention & Training (Pilot Project)
• Automated External Defribulator (AED) for Coast Guard

Trunk Mobile Radios (TMR) – Nova Scotia

The Province of Nova Scotia is now using a Trunk Mobile Radio (TMR) system for most of its emergency response organizations such as RCMP and Municipal Police, Emergency Health Service (Ambulance), Fire Departments and Natural Resource vehicles.  The use of this system now means that primary maritime SAR resources cannot talk directly with shore based SAR resources for during SAR incidents in coastal areas.

Communication is the key to any successful Search and Rescue mission.  There is a need to purchase this new technology for the Canadian Coast Guard's primary Maritime SAR resources that operate in and around the coastal areas of Nova Scotia.  It is proposed that TMR units be purchased and installed on Canadian Coast Guards shore based Lifeboats and Inshore Rescue that may be required to communicate with shore based municipal/Provincial/Federal SAR resources in Nova Scotia.

Drowning Research - 10^th year anniversary

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) created its Water Safety Services in 1946 to reduce drownings and other water-related deaths.  In 1980, as part of an ongoing effort to develop strategies for drowning prevention, some provincial Divisions of the CRC began collecting and analyzing data on drowning.  In 1991, CRC established a comprehensive national research program to monitor the incidence and circumstances of all categories of unintentional water-related injury deaths - The Canadian Surveillance System for Water-Related Fatalities, a unique comprehensive surveillance system - the first of its kind in the world.

In the year 2002, the CRC will have collected data on drownings and other water-related fatalities for ten years.  The CRC would like to showcase the work that has been done in this field with a ten year anniversary Comprehensive Edition developed by modules on special topics of the National Drowning Report.  As well, the CRC would like to present its work and share its expertise and unique surveillance system at two International conferences.

There is a need to extend and build on the current research to determine whether training and education programs have an effect in lowering rates of morbidity and mortality related to water activities.  Annual analysis of the information is a key tool for public health professionals, training agencies, enforcement bodies, and decision makers involved in injury prevention and intervention across the country.  As well, sharing our findings and our surveillance system with other countries and with other Canadian organizations would provide us with an opportunity to exchange data and knowledge with experts, organizations and institutions involved in injury prevention, specifically water safety.

Ingestion of Grand Bank Surface Current Data for CANSARP

This proposal recommends the introduction of new data to CANSARP to better predict search areas when searching for missing persons or objects.  The data are surface currents produced by the BIO Ice-Ocean Forecasting System.  It is imperative that when trying to predict search areas we make use of the best available information at the time of incident in order to be able to direct ships to areas where assistance is required.  The area where the data will be used is the highest high sea fishing areas in Canada, i.e. the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.   The use of historical data is a last resort in modern Search Planning.  Real time and near real time data is the most critical type of information required for CANSARP and the SAR system now and in the future if we are to conduct searches professionally.

The BIO Ice-Ocean Forecasting System is an automated system developed by scientists at Bedford Institute of Oceanography/DFO.  The system generates 48-hour forecast of surface currents and other ocean variables for the Grand Banks every day using advanced computer models.  The model surface currents will be transferred to Canadian Coast Guard College to be used by CANSARP.  This proposal will develop interface to access the CANSARP environment and modify several modules of CANSARP 4.0.

The data from the Grand Banks model are the only real time data that we know for this area and are the type of information that we should be using more in the future.  The National SAR system, through the CANSARP tool, should prepare CANSARP to utilize this model in SAR planning.  CANSARP is, and will continue to be, an integrator of various research projects to improve our knowledge of the ocean, the atmosphere, or persons and search objects.   The SAR system must continue to remain in the loop of these research initiatives across Canada.

Emergency Response During Events

More and more recreational activities are being organized on the water, but qualified supervision of such events is difficult because of inadequate human, physical and financial resources. Safety supervision is the first line of defence for accident prevention at an event. It allows the participants to enjoy the activity without having to worry too much about potential dangers. Boaters using the same waters therefore have to cohabit with the event being held. It is sometimes difficult, however, for small craft operators to be informed about the rules to be followed to prevent accidents. To provide supervision, the organizers therefore have to ask for assistance from various parties, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Lifesaving Society. As these groups do not, however, have sufficient resources to meet these demands, the organizers have to make do with the means at their disposal.

The proposal is designed to put in place emergency response plans and SAR procedures for organizations in charge of boating-related events. Such response plans will enable boaters to be informed about the holding of an event, but above all about the measures to be observed to prevent disasters. In addition, the proposal is meant to promote the use of adequately trained volunteers to provide safety supervision during events. The acquisition of good knowledge and application of the emergency plan will put such volunteers at less risk when they respond on the water.

Sea Kayaking SAR Prevention & Training (Pilot Project)

There is a lack of boating safety material (print, video, audio) that is suitable for sea kayakers navigating Canadian coastal waters.  The boating safety material now used in most of Canada is targeted primarily at powerboat operators and unsuitable for the sea kayaking target audience.  It is proposed to produce safety awareness and educational material suitable for all Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) regions targeting the sea kayaking target audience while developing a Sea Kayak SAR Prevention and Training Program tailored specifically for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The development of educational and awareness tools that can be used nationally throughout Canada aimed at the sea kayaking target audience is one of the main aims of this project.  Printing and distribution of a revised Sea Kayaking Safety Guide for use as a national tool by Coast Guard's Offices of Boating Safety across Canada will be one of the first steps.  This Guide was initially produced through a partnering arrangement between the CCG, Parks Canada and the Quebec Canoe-Kayak Federation specifically targeting the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.  There is an urgent need to provide all Offices of Boating Safety across the country with this Guide targeting the sea kayak audience in a timely fashion.  The Canadian Coast Guard initiated discussions with the Quebec Canoe-Kayak Federation who has agreed to revise the Sea Kayaking Safety Guide to make it a national tool and will request a modification to their NIF project Splash Guard in order to do so.  This would permit us through this proposed initiative to print and distribute the guides at an earlier date.  PSAs suitable for national use will also be produced.  A video was also planned to raise awareness of the skill and knowledge required to safely navigate coastal waters such as the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Newfoundland and Labrador.  A video was also planned as part of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve NIF Project on safety and self rescue techniques.  This video will be reviewed to determine the value as a national tool for raising awareness of the skills, knowledge and degree of risk associated with sea kayaking and will only be produced if it does not duplicate existing resources.

Two previous kayaking proposals aimed at specific regions in Canada were approved through the NSS NIF Program for FY 2000/2001.  This proposal aims to develop tools that can be used on a national basis by all OBS regions throughout Canada.  As well it will tailor a program specifically to meet the needs of our client audience throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.  Every effort will be made to avoid duplicating materials and to review Splash Guard activities to determine the most effective way to implement a program in the NF region.

As well it will be necessary to organize and work with various organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador to develop an effective Sea Kayak SAR Prevention and Training Program.  This undertaking would involve multi-party cooperation between the Canadian Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety, the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Adventure Tourism Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (ATANL), Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL), Kayak Newfoundland and Labrador (KNL), as well as individual kayak tour operators, rental agencies and retail outlets.  It is proposed to work with these organizations to collaboratively develop a Sea Kayak SAR Prevention and Training Program that addresses safety issues particular to the sport of sea kayaking in Newfoundland and Labrador's coastal waters.  Initial consultations with the organizations involved indicate wide support for this proposal.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Coast Guard

Automated external defibrillators (AED) are shown to greatly improve the survival chances of persons suffering cardiac arrest^1.2.  The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) has stated that access to life-saving defibrillation in Canada lags behind recommendations made based on readily available, proven science³.  AED's are now more commonly found in public places, alongside the traditional first-aid kit and are used by many public safety agencies.  In June of 1999 Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Search and Rescue (SAR) selected the CCG Station Sea Island Hovercraft Unit (HCU), as the site for a pilot project in the use of an AED.  The first year report of this pilot project is attached.

There is a need for Primary and Secondary CCG SAR Units to provide better medical care in the event of cardiac arrest suffered by either victims of SAR incidents or CCG crews acting as SAR responders.  The actual prospects of survival in cases of sudden cardiac arrest with CPR alone are now considered to be less than 5%.  With the availability of early AED the prospects improve dramatically.  The national implementation of this new SAR initiative is not within the means of the CCG and therefore requires the support of the NIF fund.

1.  Introduction to Automated External Defibrillation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, December 12, 2000.

2.  Improving Survival From Sudden Cardiac Arrest, JAMA, March 07, 2001.

3.  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada press release, August 16, 2000.