Swiftwater Rescue Courses (2010)

Best Buy for Technical Rescue- THIS COURSE HAS IT ALL:  This jam packed course is aimed at Professional Rescuers:  Firefighters, BLM Rangers, Search and Rescue Personnel, Whitewater Guides,  Trip leaders, boaters paddling on more challenging whitewater, and anyone desiring opportunities to develop their rescue skills. Themes of this dynamic course revolve around recognition of hazards, critical judgment, and rescue awareness. Emphasis is placed heavily on self-rescue techiniques and approaching rescue scenarios simply and safely.  Apply new and refined skills in mock-rescue scenarios using a minimal amount of gear. These scenarios create an opportunity for participants to practice skills individually and with a team context. Scope and content of the course will vary, based upon participant needs, interests and experience.  Topics covered include extricating pins, using rescue vests, managing strainers, dealing with entrapment, and proficient swimming skills.  This course is delivered by American Canoe Association certified instructors and participants will receive a certificate of completion from the ACA in Swiftwater Rescue: Level 5.

• Hydrology and utilizing existing water dynamics.
• Identifying hazards and managing them effectively.
• Executing shallow water crossings utilizing various techniques.
• Self-rescue: swimming whitewater and maneuvering to negotiate river hazards and obstacles.
• Approaching Contact Rescues and Live-Bait Rescue considerations.
• Rescuing and extricating a patient from the water.
• Handling small inflatable boats by paddle, oar and on a tether.
• Understanding rescue team organization, responsibilities of law-enforcement, and on-scene leadership.
• Utilizing rescue equipment to set up technical rope systems.

 Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Adequate health insurance coverage
• Basic swimming ability and in good physical condition

Required Equipment needed:

• Full wetsuit or drysuit. 
• Lightweight water or kayak helmet
• USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/ PFD
• Thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes.  Must be closed-toe.
• Gloves are optional but helpful in cold water.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.

Dates: Contact us for available dates.

2-day version fits great on a Weekend:  Themes of this dynamic course revolve around recognition of hazards, critical judgment, and rescue awareness. Emphasis is placed heavily on self-rescue techiniques and approaching rescue scenarios simply and safely.  Apply new and refined skills in mock-rescue scenarios using a minimal amount of gear. These scenarios create an opportunity for participants to practice skills individually and with a team context. Scope and content of the course will vary, based upon participant needs, interests and experience.  Topics covered include extricating pins, using rescue vests, managing strainers, dealing with entrapment, and proficient swimming skills.  This course is delivered by American Canoe Association certified instructors and participants will receive a certificate of completion from the ACA in Swiftwater Rescue.

• Hydrology and utilizing existing water dynamics.
• Identifying hazards and managing them effectively.
• Executing shallow water crossings utilizing various techniques.
• Self-rescue: swimming whitewater and maneuvering to negotiate river hazards and obstacles.
• Approaching Contact Rescues and Live-Bait Rescue considerations.
• Rescuing and extricating a patient from the water.
• Handling small inflatable boats by paddle, oar and on a tether.
• Understanding rescue team organization, responsibilities of law-enforcement, and on-scene leadership.
• Utilizing rescue equipment to set up technical rope systems.

 Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Adequate health insurance coverage
• Basic swimming ability and in good physical condition

Required Equipment needed:

• Full wetsuit or drysuit. 
• Lightweight water or kayak helmet
• USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/ PFD
• Thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes.  Must be closed-toe.
• Gloves are optional but helpful in cold water.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.

Dates: Contact us for available dates.

This course is designed specifically for professional guides, private boaters, fish and game personnel, and others who work or play on or around flowing water. Students will benefit from this intensive, hands-on course and will learn to use techniques and simple equipment to assess and perform river rescues. Presented in a two and a half or three-day format (depending on each group's level of water experience), this course focuses on real problems that students may face. The emphasis is on speedy, low-tech, and improvised rescue techniques that are effective and require minimal equipment.

• Hydrology and utilizing existing water dynamics.
• Identifying hazards and managing them effectively.
• Executing shallow water crossings utilizing various techniques.
• Self-rescue: swimming whitewater and maneuvering to negotiate river hazards and obstacles.
• Approaching Contact Rescues and Live-Bait Rescue considerations.
• Rescuing and extricating a patient from the water.
• Handling small inflatable boats by paddle, oar and on a tether.
• Understanding rescue team organization, responsibilities of law-enforcement, and on-scene leadership.
• Utilizing rescue equipment to set up technical rope systems.

Included with Tuition:

• Course Text Book, Registered Skill Sheet, and Exam.
• Whitewater Rescue Technician Certificate of Completion
• WRT ID Card, Patch, and whistle.

Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Adequate health insurance coverage
• Basic swimming ability and in good physical condition

Required Equipment needed:

• Full wetsuit or drysuit.
• Lightweight water or kayak helmet
• USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/ PFD
• Thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes. Must be closed-toe.
• Gloves are optional but helpful in cold water.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.
  

The SRT is an intensive, three-day class (24 hours) that includes both classroom instruction as well as developing and practicing water rescue skills. This course provides the fundamentals for swiftwater rescue and is recommended for anyone who may be called upon to affect in-water rescues. It is the first of three classes needed for personnel to meet the requirements for the Technician level NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents and the NFPA 1006 Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications in the area of water. Emphasis is placed heavily on self-rescue skills throughout the course.  Additional learning objectives include:

• Hydrology and utilizing existing water dynamics.
• Identifying hazards and managing them effectively.
• Executing shallow water crossings utilizing various techniques.
• Self-rescue: swimming whitewater and maneuvering to negotiate river hazards and obstacles.
• Approaching Contact Rescues and Live-Bait Rescue considerations.
• Rescuing and extricating a patient from the water.
• Handling small inflatable boats by paddle, oar and on a tether.

• Understanding rescue team organization, responsibilities of law-enforcement, and on-scene leadership.
• Utilizing rescue equipment to set up technical rope systems.

Standard:    NFPA 1670 Technician Level

• 18 years of age
• Adequate health insurance coverage
• Basic swimming ability and in good physical condition

• Full wetsuit or drysuit
• Lightweight water or kayak helmet
• USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/ PFD
• Thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes.  Must be closed-toe.
• Gloves are optional but helpful in cold water.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.

This course is easily arranged upon request.  4 person minimum. We don't usually schedule these ahead of time without pre-existing expressed interest.  This intense one-day rescue course was designed by kayakers, for kayakers, and is delivered by American Canoe Association certified instructors.  It is intended for boaters that do not have the time for a full 3-day course. Topics include rescue philosophy, self-rescue considerations, rope techniques for stabilization and extrication, recovering equipment, and using rescue jackets. Participants are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear for greater familiarity but are also welcome to use our equipment as well.

Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Adequate health insurance coverage
• Basic swimming ability and in good physical condition

Required Equipment needed:

• Full wetsuit or drysuit. 
• Lightweight water or kayak helmet
• USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/ PFD
• Thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes.  Must be closed-toe.
• Gloves are optional but helpful in cold water.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.

Dates: By request for groups of 5 or more. Contact us for available dates.

This two-day course is designed to provide students with both a theoretical and practical knowledge of the basics of swiftwater rescue. The class includes one day of classroom instruction and one day of practical field exercise. Students are trained in hazard recognition, equipment use, and basic shore and boat-based rescue techniques, as well as a wide variety of other skills, including:

• Accepted criteria for determining risk/benefit decisions.
• Effecting a shore-based aquatic rescue using generally accepted reach and throw techniques.
• In-water self-rescue and safety techniques.
• How to deal with basic water-related medical emergencies.
• Understanding the application of water rescue techniques using commonly available fire service equipment.
• Basic boat-based rescue concerns and techniques.
• Basic moving water self-rescue techniques.

After completing the course, certified personnel may participate in higher risk, technical water rescues under the supervision of technician level rescuers.

Standard:                NFPA 1670 Awareness (Water)
Prerequisites:          Basic swimming ability
Equipment:             Basic water equipment