River Recreation is proud to offer Rescue 3 International and American Canoe Association certified river rescue training.
Rivers are all around us here in the Pacific Northwest, providing us with endless hours of enjoyment. However, despite how slow and lazy rivers may seem, they can present very serious dangers to life and property. Whether you are a rescue professional, guide, someone who works in and/or around rivers, or simply someone who enjoys the
river recreationally, being able to recognize and respond appropriately to hazards is imperative in minimizing potential threats to oneself, family, friends, as well as other boaters.
River Recreation offers a wide variety of river safety courses, from one-day awareness classes that concentrate on keeping oneself out of harm’s way to advanced Rescue 3 swiftwater rescue courses that delve deep into rescue methods and theories for professional emergency response teams. Our goal is to teach our students how to think about swiftwater rescue and give them a variety of tools that they can employ to safely and efficiently respond to unexpected situations. Since there is no absolute rescue formula for every circumstance, we teach dynamic rescue approaches that address a multitude of variables and possible conditions. It takes a blend of training, practice, judgment, and experience to execute a successful rescue. We at River Recreation provide the best Rescue 3 training available, and encourage students to continually develop the other three components in order to become proficient rescuers themselves.
We offer NFPA-compliant courses, Rescue 3 International certified courses, ACA certified courses, River Sense courses for youth, raft guide training, and custom courses designed to fit the specific needs of those who work or play in and around rivers. Check out our course offerings to find a class that suits your needs!
NFPA Compliant River Rescue
The following courses meet the National Fire Protection Agency Standards 1670 and 1006 for Technical Water Rescue. Upon completion of these courses, students will receive a certificate from Rescue 3 International.
Swiftwater Awareness
This one-day course will assist your organization in meeting the NFPA 1670 Standard for Awareness level training. This class is designed for any person who, in the course of their duties, may be first on-scene for a water rescue incident. We introduce students to the problems associated with water rescue, as well as procedures for flash floods, large-scale disasters and seasonal flooding. Because this is a classroom-based theory seminar, the Rescue 3 international Awareness level responder is not considered a rescuer.
• Prerequisites: None
• Equipment Needed: None
• Course Dates : call for availability
Basic Water First Responder
This one-day course deals with “flat” water and is designed for agencies who have no immediate need for a specialized water rescue class, but wish to have personnel certified in basic water rescue training in order to meet local requirements or comply with OSHA and NFPA guidelines. In order to increase personnel safety and decrease the likelihood of rescuers turning into victims, this course initially focuses on appropriate personal protective
equipment and drown-proofing of rescuers. Other course objectives include hazard recognition, site management, shore-based and wading rescue techniques, throw line skills, simple boat-based rescue techniques, and higher risk tethered swimming techniques. This eight-hour course includes approximately four hours of classroom instruction followed by four hours of in-water skills practice. This is an appropriate class for any organization who works, or may work, around lakes, ponds or other non-flowing water. This course meets the general requirements laid out in the NFPA 1670 standard for Awareness level for water rescue. This course covers flat water only. For groups with any combination of flat and moving
water, Rescue 3 highly recommends Swiftwater First Responder Operations Level as a more appropriate alternative.
• Prerequisites: None
• Equipment needed includes drysuit or wetsuit, USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket), whitewater helmet, and water booties or tennis shoes (gloves and fins optional).
• Course Cost: $165
Contact us for availability.
Swiftwater First Responder Ops level
This two-day course has one day of classroom instruction and one day of practical field exercise. Students are trained in hazard recognition, self-rescue, equipment use, and techniques necessary to conduct basic shore and boat-based rescues. After completion of Operations: Swiftwater First Responder, certified personnel may participate in higher risk technical rescues under the supervision of Technician level rescuers.
• Prerequisites: None
• Equipment needed includes drysuit or wetsuit, USCG approved Type III or V PFD (life jacket), whitewater helmet, and water booties or tennis shoes. Students are encouraged to bring their own personal gear, however River Recreation has some gear available for classes—check availability
Swiftwater Rescue Technician – SRT1
This is an intensive three-day class. One day of classroom instruction is followed by 2 days developing and practicing water rescue skills. Objectives emphasize developing self-rescue skills, utilizing existing water dynamics, and handling hazards and obstacles. Participants will set up technical rope systems, controlling in-water contact rescues,
and much more. Information from this course is applicable to anyone confronted with potential water rescue, as well as the possibility of self-rescue. Prerequisites include being in good physical condition and having a basic ability to swim. Required equipment includes full wetsuit or drysuit, a USCG approved life jacket,
whitewater helmet, and booties or tennis shoes. Gloves and fins are optional. Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own personal gear, however River Recreation has some gear available for classes—check availability.
• Course Cost: $400
Rescue for Guides and Boaters
Whitewater Rescue Technician WRT
This course is designed to meet the current industry standards for people that work or play on or around the river, such as professional guides, recreational boaters, and Fish and Game personnel. Students will benefit from this intensive, hands-on course, using simple equipment and techniques to solve rescue scenarios that might occur on the river. Objectives emphasize developing self-rescue skills, utilizing existing water dynamics, and handling hazards and obstacles. Presented in a 2 1/2 day format (usually 3 hours on Friday with full days on Saturday and Sunday), this course takes the basic core essentials from the Swiftwater Rescue Technician course and applies them to the real world river environment.
• Prerequisites include being in good physical condition and having a basic ability to swim.
• Required equipment includes full wetsuit or drysuit, a USCG approved life jacket, whitewater helmet, and booties or tennis shoes. Gloves and fins are optional. Students are encouraged to bring their own personal gear, however River Recreation has some gear available for classes—check availability.
• Course Cost: $345
2-Day ACA Kayak Rescue Course
This 2 day course covers the latest in basic rescue techniques for boaters using a minimal amount of gear. We work on vertical pins, wrapped and broached boats, body and foot entrapments, safe swimming techniques and use of rescue jackets, towing boats and more. Certified American Canoe Association instructors teach this course.
• Prerequisites include a basic ability to swim and familiarity with whitewater kayaking.
• Required equipment includes wetsuit or drysuit, a USCG approved life jacket, whitewater helmet, booties or tennis shoes, hardshell kayak, spray skirt, and paddle. Students are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear to practice with.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own personal gear, however River Recreation has gear available for classes—check availability.
• Course Cost: $180.
We can also do a custom class in your area. Feel free to contact us anytime locally @ 206-276-8774, toll-free @ 800-464-5899 or office@riverrecreation.com
