Many volunteer groups across the country are transporting inflatable boats, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes to the northern regions to assist communities affected by floods. However, not everyone is familiar with the terrain, the water conditions, or has the ability to respond in emergencies. Those “rescue warriors” who have battled through floods in Central Vietnam share valuable experiences when approaching flooded areas.
Don’t Go Alone, Avoid Reckless Swimming Through Dangerous Waters
Lieutenant Colonel Le Quang Hiep from the 409th Commando Battalion (General Staff of Military Region 5) vividly recalls the night of October 14, 2022, when his battalion rescued over 100 residents from the flooded area of Lien Chieu District (Da Nang City). He emphasizes that when conducting rescue operations at night, the most important thing is to go in groups and not to go alone. Rescuers also need loudspeakers and walkie-talkies to inform the residents of their approach and to connect and assist each other in emergencies.
Rescue operations at night require multiple people, and difficult-to-access areas should use circular floats.
In urban areas with houses deep in alleys, visibility is poor at night, so the most suitable means of reaching each house is not boats, but circular floats tied together. Boats can be cumbersome and prone to collisions with walls, posts, roofs, or surrounding trees. When approaching homes, rescuers must be cautious to check if the electricity has been cut off and watch for loose roofing or broken glass, as these can pose significant dangers.
For nearby houses, rescuers can swim, but for those farther away with deeper, faster-moving water, ropes must be used to allow rescuers to swim in. In some cases, ropes need to be extended hundreds of meters; once safely in, they can then pull residents out. It’s crucial to secure the rope at the waist safely but not too tightly to prevent injury if the current is strong or if the rope pulls.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Hiep, every rescuer prioritizes the safety of the residents above all else, striving to overcome all obstacles and dangers to save them. However, this does not mean recklessly swimming through fast-moving waters without understanding the depth or terrain, as it is very easy to be swept away.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
Kim Luc, a member of the Da Nang SUP rescue team, has participated in rescuing residents in the city and neighboring provinces affected by flooding for many years. He notes that in areas where the water is not too “violent,” stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) can be used for access. Each board is equipped with life jackets, flashlights, and some food. Households with elderly, young children, or pregnant women should be prioritized for rescue, and each SUP should carry a maximum of three people.
Only paddle in calm water areas, avoid fast-flowing water, and areas with an unknown terrain.
He adds that while the SUP paddles are quite long (nearly 2 meters), a pole should also be used to gauge the depth of each area. When there are many people, if the water level is about 1.5 meters deep, they can give their spots on the SUP to residents, while they jump off to push the board to get as many people out of danger as quickly as possible. “SUPs should only be used in calm water areas, avoiding strong currents and whirlpools as they are very dangerous. In deep water, it is best to tie together 2 or 3 SUPs rather than going alone,” he emphasizes.
Ngoc Thanh from the 0 Dong Volunteer Club in Da Nang vividly recalls a challenging rescue during the flooding in Le Thuy (Quang Binh) in 2020. “We approached the flooded area by canoe; the entry was smooth, but as the water slowly receded, the fences and posts from nearby houses punctured our canoe, trapping us in the flood. It was quite a struggle to get the canoe out. That was a ‘painful’ lesson that everyone remembers!,” he recounts. Thanh advises that before conducting any rescue operation, it is crucial to research the terrain, water conditions, and past flood experiences in the area, as well as to identify nearby drains or lakes to devise optimal strategies and choose the best equipment. In cases where the flooded area consists of crowded residential neighborhoods with many houses and trees, smaller boats or SUPs should be selected for access.
“No matter how timely and responsive the rescue efforts are, residents in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding must be proactive in disaster response. In 2023, before the storm, we went door-to-door to encourage and assist residents in elevating and relocating their belongings to safe areas to prevent damage,” Lieutenant Colonel Le Quang Hiep shares. In situations where rescue teams cannot yet reach, he advises residents to use household items such as Styrofoam boxes, plastic cans, and bottles to create makeshift floats to stay afloat.
