TREDYFFRIN TWP. - Last week, members of Berwyn's Specialized Rescue Team practiced some of their techniques for ice rescue. Members took advantage of the pond ice, formed at Wilson Farm Park in Tredyffrin Township by the extremely cold temps, and practiced navigating the ice and rescue techniques. Some of the skills practiced included cutting holes in the ice, measuring thickness to ascertain the safe weight capacity of the ice, and several self rescue methods.

Members were personally equipped with dry suits, water boots, helmets, special water rescue gloves, ice awls, and safety tethers. Tools that were utilized included chainsaws, and a water rescue teaching pole. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, water rescue training certifications involve 4 main components administered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: Water Rescue and Emergency Response (16 hours), Advanced Line Systems (16 hours), Boat Operator (16 hours), and Ice Rescue (16 hours).