Calgary divers angered by rescue snub - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

puckluck · 08-10-2011, 05:42 PM

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/08/09...by-rescue-snub

Quote:

Some members of the Calgary Fire Department are furious they weren’t given the opportunity to help with a Chestermere drowning call they believe could have had a happier ending.
On Saturday night, Richis Katumbay, 33, an inexperienced swimmer not wearing a life jacket vanished underwater while tubing on the lake.
RCMP divers from B.C. were on scene Tuesday still searching for Katumbay’s body after a private team from Edmonton was called off Sunday.
But the tragedy in the bedroom community east of the city has members of the Calgary Fire Department’s dive team saddened, fuming, and left scratching their heads why their offers to lend their expertise was snubbed.
If the help was accepted, the life of the father of seven could have been saved, said one fire captain who the Sun has agreed not to name.
“I don’t know why we weren’t called in,” he said.

If the Calgary divers are feeling like they could have done something I think you have to side with them. Don't really know how Chestermere doesn't have a rescue team in Chestermere with all the homes near the water and how busy it can get there.

BlackArcher101 · 08-10-2011, 05:53 PM

So when they say better outcome, they mean finding the body faster?

Not sure why I'd be outraged over that. By the time they would've been in the water, it was going to be a recovery instead of rescue.

Wonder if they offered free help or were going to bill the RCMP. If it was free, then not sure why they were turned away (baring reasons such as contracts with others providers). I would grasp that as an opportunity for on the job training.

jar_e · 08-10-2011, 05:56 PM

Whether it was an oversight or a decision made for budgetary reasons, it probably was the wrong one. I know the RCMP said at the time they felt it was purely a recovery operation but they weren't required. That being said, they still haven't found the body so maybe they should get CFD to do the recovery as well.

ken0042 · 08-10-2011, 06:00 PM

Yeah, I don't get how they can claim the life could have been saved. It's not like he was lost in the woods; he was under water.

They interviewed somebody from either the RCMP or CFD on QR77- and that person said the backfill for CFD postions would have been at double time as per their union rules. The RCMP would have been on the hook for paying that overtime.

Ducay · 08-10-2011, 06:05 PM

CFD Chief was on the news saying they're investigating the diver who made that comment and that "there is no way we could launch a rescue operation in Chestermere in 10 minutes anyways"

jar_e · 08-10-2011, 06:05 PM

I think there is still a chance he could have been saved. The call would have been routed through Public Safety Communications which dispatches Fire/AHS in a large portion of southern alberta. It literally would have been drive time or fly time for CFD dive team to Chestermere which still would allowed for a rescue.

ken0042 · 08-10-2011, 06:08 PM

I saw footage of the search; taken by an amatuer within minutes of it happening. HAWCS was there as well as Stars, and there were dozens of private boats conducting searches. Yes, CFD could have been there in 20-30 minutes; and they would have been just another boat in the water.

jayswin · 08-10-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I saw footage of the search; taken by an amatuer within minutes of it happening. HAWCS was there as well as Stars, and there were dozens of private boats conducting searches. Yes, CFD could have been there in 20-30 minutes; and they would have been just another boat in the water.

They would have been arguably the best boat in the water.

MrMastodonFarm · 08-10-2011, 06:13 PM

I'm just shocked a black guy didn't know how to swim.

jar_e · 08-10-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I saw footage of the search; taken by an amatuer within minutes of it happening. HAWCS was there as well as Stars, and there were dozens of private boats conducting searches. Yes, CFD could have been there in 20-30 minutes; and they would have been just another boat in the water.

I think you're underestimating the ability and skill of the CFD dive crew. They're literally world class and an amazing asset that services a large portion of southern alberta. They have amazing training and are well trained in all aspects of an operation (rescue/recovery).

BlackArcher101 · 08-10-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

I think you're underestimating the ability and skill of the CFD dive crew. They're literally world class and an amazing asset that services a large portion of southern alberta. They have amazing training and are well trained in all aspects of an operation (rescue/recovery).

No one is saying they aren't.

Would they have had time to get to Chestermere, launch the boat, get into the water, travel to the site, pull the guy onto the boat and perform CPR before he was brain dead?

jar_e · 08-10-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

No one is saying they aren't.

Would they have had time to get to Chestermere, launch the boat, get into the water, travel to the site, pull the guy onto the boat and perform CPR before he was brain dead?

I truly don't know. But surely you increase your chances ten fold by having them there compared to not.

puckluck · 08-10-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

No one is saying they aren't.

Would they have had time to get to Chestermere, launch the boat, get into the water, travel to the site, pull the guy onto the boat and perform CPR before he was brain dead?

Well there was only one way to find out and its a little too late now. If the experienced diver felt he could do something I think his opinion is more accurate than anyone elses. He does do this for a living and he said even if he was in the water for 90 minutes it was possible he could be saved.

Resolute 14 · 08-10-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

I truly don't know. But surely you increase your chances ten fold by having them there compared to not.

10x 0.01% chance is still only 0.1%.

Clarkey · 08-10-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I'm just shocked a black guy didn't know how to swim.

Wow you`re so cute bud. Hilarious comment as always. You are totally winning over the online community with your hilarity!

MrMastodonFarm · 08-10-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Wow you`re so cute bud. Hilarious comment as always. You are totally winning over the online community with your hilarity!

Thanks!

puckluck · 08-10-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

10x 0.01% chance is still only 0.1%.

And .1 is still better than 0.

jayswin · 08-10-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

I think you're underestimating the ability and skill of the CFD dive crew. They're literally world class and an amazing asset that services a large portion of southern alberta. They have amazing training and are well trained in all aspects of an operation (rescue/recovery).

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

No one is saying they aren't.

Would they have had time to get to Chestermere, launch the boat, get into the water, travel to the site, pull the guy onto the boat and perform CPR before he was brain dead?

I believe jar_e was reffering to this comment

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I saw footage of the search; taken by an amatuer within minutes of it happening. HAWCS was there as well as Stars, and there were dozens of private boats conducting searches. Yes, CFD could have been there in 20-30 minutes; and they would have been just another boat in the water.

SeeBass · 08-10-2011, 08:55 PM

I must be missing something cause if a guy is drowning while towed behind a boat. If there was all this time I assume the boat would have got him. So to me he must have been under the water quickly and how long would it take to drown? a minute maybe two at most?

Being out of oxygen for 4-5 minutes makes you brained dead doesn't it?

I dont know all of the numbers or details but unless the divers could show up on a jet pack right away I dont see how saving this guy was possible.

I have never heard of a story about somebody drowning for 20 plus minutes, didn't he go under once he hit the water?

Yasa · 08-10-2011, 09:14 PM

It's because firefighters are lazy.