Marine Corps Base Quantico -- “Help. Help. I think I broke my leg.”

Followed by a huge splash, the first casualty cried out after landing on top of another diver, “Help. Help. I think I broke my leg.”

This realistic training was created to help the Marines Corps Instructors of Water Survival (MCITWS) prepare for aquatic emergencies, where they anticipate a six-minute response time from the Fire Station 533 at The Basic School.

The attention to detail paid by the firefighters was matched by the MCITWS during the annual joint water survival exercise at Ramer Hall Gymnasium, Aug. 4 and Aug. 8. Marines learned to work with the fire department, which uses the National Incident Management System. Firemen use an incident commander to call in for additional resources, and make life saving decisions for any issues that arrive on the scene.

Following preliminary patient care provided by four Marine instructors, a shift of 10 firefighters responded to a mock 911 call. After the wounded were stable, care was followed by communicating the current state of each victim to the local fire department.

“The biggest take away from the exercise was the importance of communication before and during an emergency response,” said Captain David Williams, 533 TBS station, who encouraged Marines with first aid training to support wounded out of the water and stabilize them until help arrived. “The more information we have when we arrive, the more appropriate gear we can bring to put those advanced life support interventions into work.”

“The initial dispatch is the most important time to get as much information about patients as possible,” said John Butler, swift water rescue technician for 533 firemen. “We want to keep the scenarios as real as possible so that we can provide the best support.”

Knowledge gained from a simulated scenario is essential to preparing for life saving efforts.

“We required a six-minute response time and we met that almost exactly,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mathew Harris, MCITWS. “Marines handled the situation absolutely flawlessly, especially working with such a limited staff.”

First responders have different tools that support many rescue efforts.

“Training helps each entity understand what to expect from the other and allows us to check if equipment all matches” such as backboards, defibrillators, and command structure, said Kevin Dickey, Assistant Captain. “It’s all about improvement and testing emergency communication capabilities.”

The 531 Mainside, 532 Air Station, 533 TBS fire stations aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico each conduct swift water rescue training in the Potomac River six to seven times a year. This aquatic training provides firemen the opportunity to prepare for boat recovery, search and rescue, boat fires and collisions.