Water Rescue Courses

The Rescue Company offers a variety of water rescue classes tailored to the needs of students and the companies and agencies we are teaching for. Please select any of the classes below for detailed descriptions.

NFPA – Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT)

This curriculum meets the requirements of the new NFPA 1670 Standard on Technical Rescue for water and rope and is designed for emergency responders.

NFPA AWARENESS LEVEL TRAINING

AWARENESS: WATER AND ROPE RESCUE®

This one-day classroom course will assist your organization in meeting awareness level training for the NFPA 1670 Standard. The target audience is any responder who, in the course of their duties, may be called to or be first on-scene at a water or rope rescue incident. This seminar introduces personnel to the problems of water and rescue, and procedures to follow when encountered during flash floods, large-scale disasters, and seasonal flooding. This seminar is entirely classroom so no equipment is required. At the awareness level, the responder is NOT considered a rescuer.

NFPA OPERATIONS LEVEL TRAINING

OPERATIONS: SWIFTWATER FIRST RESPONDER®

This course is designed to assist your agency in meeting the operations level of the NFPA 1670 Standard for water incidents. The two-day course has one day of classroom and one day of practical field exercise. Students are trained in hazard recognition, equipment use, and techniques necessary to conduct basic shore and boat based rescue. After completion of Operations: Swiftwater First Responder, certified personnel may participate in higher risk technical rescues under the supervisions of technician level rescuers.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • USCG-approved life jacket/PFD (Type III or V)
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • gloves and fins optional

NFPA TECHNICIAN LEVEL TRAINING

SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN® UNIT 1 (SRT1)

The Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1 has been revised to meet the requirements of the NFPA 1670 Standard for Technical Rescue in the areas of water and rope. Its name has been modified slightly to Swiftwater Rescue Technician Unit 1 (SRT1) as it is the first of two units needed for personnel to be considered technician level for water and rope.
This class is an intensive three-day, 24- to 30-hour class. It has one day of classroom instruction followed by two days developing and practicing water rescue skills. The initial emphasis is on developing self-rescue skills. Other objectives include an in-depth look at such subjects as understanding water dynamics, handling hazards and obstacles, using basic rescue equipment, setting up technical rope systems, controlling in-water contact rescues, and much more.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/PFD
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • gloves and fins optional

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN® ADVANCED (SRTA)

Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced is the second of two units needed for personnel wanting to meet the requirements of the NFPA 1670 Standard at the technician level for water and rope (and also provides the competencies required by NFPA 1006 Professional Qualification. It integrates techniques learned in SRT1, as well as advanced river/flood situations and high angle rope techniques.
PLEASE, NOTE! Due to the physical and mental demands of the subject matter, as well as safety concerns, a break is suggested between the SRT1 and SRTA courses.
To more fully meet the needs of departments and individuals, SRTA can be taught in either a three- or four-day format. The amount of prior technical rope training a team or individual has will determine whether the three-day or four-day format is necessary.

Equipment requirements:
In addition to the equipment requirements for SRT1, the equipment requirements for both class formats are:

  • whistle
  • waterproof flashlight
  • long pants
  • climbing helmet and harness
  • any other gear beneficial for a night search is recommended

 

SRT Advanced (3-Day Format)

This format has four to six hours of classroom presentation followed by two and one-half days of hands-on skill development, demonstrations and a mock night river rescue scenario (the second day).

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • being in good physical condition
  • completion of SRT1 within the previous 3 years
  • certificate from a recognized technical rope rescue program

PLEASE, NOTE! If the rope course is not known to Rescue 3 Corporate, course objectives and a skill record must be submitted prior to the course so that it can be determined if that course includes all the required skills. Interagency technical rescue training can also be accepted with a Record of Technical Rope Training form being signed by an authorized departmental officer prior to the class.

SRT Advanced (4-Day Format)

This format has four to six hours of classroom followed by three and one-half days of hands-on skill development with an emphasis on technical rope systems, demonstrations, and a mock night river rescue scenario (the second or third day at the instructor’s discretion).

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • being in good physical condition
  • completion of SRT1 within the previous 3 years

PLEASE, NOTE! Additional technical rope training is not required except for those skills taught in SRT1.

SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN® UPGRADE (SRTU)

This one-day class is for students who have taken Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1 (SRT1) and Swiftwater Rescue Technician 2 (SRT2) within the past three years. The course will focus on those skills that were not included in SRT1 and SRT2 at the time they took the course. With this upgrade their skills will then meet the requirements of the NFPA 1670 Standard for water and rope at the technician level.

Equipment requirements:

  • climbing harness
  • helmet
  • long pants

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • completion of SRT1 and SRT2 since 1997
  • in excellent physical condition

Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) for River Professionals

The Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) course is designed to meet the industry standards for people who, for work or recreational purposes, find themselves on or around the river such as professional guides, private boaters, and fish and game personnel. Fire and rescue personnel should take the NFPA-compliant Swiftwater Rescue Technician 1 (SRT1) course.

WHITEWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN FOR THE RIVER PROFESSIONAL (WRT)

Students will benefit from this intensive, hands-on course using techniques and simple equipment to assess and perform river rescues. Presented in a two and one-half day format (usually 3-4 hours on the first day or evening and all day on the next two days), this course focuses on real problems that people in the industry may face. The emphasis in on speedy, low-tech and improvised rescue techniques that work with a minimum of equipment.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/PFD
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • gloves and fins optional

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN® 2 (SRT2)

A two-day course which builds on the skills which were taught in SRT1 (either the NFPA or pre-NFPA version). The SRT2 course also has a mock night rescue scenario on the first night and concentrates further on developing such skills as managing the rescue scene, litter management and the utilization of teams.

This class works well for SAR teams, park and fish management personnel, as well as others who may find themselves where more complex water and technical rope skills are needed. Equipment needs and prerequisites are the same as for SRTA. This course does not meet the NFPA 1670 Standard competencies.

Equipment requirements:

  • climbing helmet and harness
  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • gloves and fins optional
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • long pants
  • USCG Type III or V approved lifejacket/PFD
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • waterproof flashlight
  • whistle
  • any other gear beneficial for a night search is recommended

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

SWIFTWATER FIRST RESPONDER®

This course for “flowing” water is designed to provide interested individuals and agencies with the basic information on techniques and equipment for responding to river and flood rescues. Topics cover such subjects as how to use low-risk and shore-based rescues, and how to evaluate and protect the scene. This class has four hours of classroom and five to six hours of field work. Participants will receive a manual, a Certificate of Completion and an embroidered patch.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • USCG-approved lifejacket/PFD (Type III or V)
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • gloves and fins optional

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

Technical Animal Rescue (TAR) and Other Courses

 

TECHNICAL ANIMAL RESCUE 1 (TAR1)

These classes are registered through AHA (800) 227-4645. This three-day hands-on course teaches how to rescue the animal without becoming a victim. Subjects covered include animal behavior in rescues, basic first-aid for animals, communication techniques during emergencies and how to use ropes to maneuver a boat safely to the victim. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the American Humane Association and Rescue 3 International.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • USCG-approved life jacket/PFD (Type III or V)
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • whistle
  • gloves and fins optional

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition

TECHNICAL ANIMAL RESCUE 2 (TAR2)

Register directly with AHA (800) 227-4645. This three-day course will focus more on rescuing animals caught in rough and dangerous situations and advanced rescue techniques. There will be a night search and rescue problem and hands-on training with chemical capture. Boat rescue techniques will cover paddling rescue rafts and two- and four-point boat tethers. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the American Humane Association and Rescue 3 International.

Equipment requirements:

  • full wetsuit or drysuit
  • lightweight water or climbing helmet
  • USCG-approved life jacket/PFD (Type III or V)
  • water booties or tennis shoes
  • whistle
  • gloves and fins optional

Prerequisites:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • adequate health insurance coverage
  • basic swimming ability
  • in good physical condition
  • satisfactory completion of TAR1

TECHNICAL ANIMAL RESCUE UPGRADES FOR SRTs

This is a one-day course in which current Swiftwater Rescue Technicians are able to upgrade their knowledge to include information on handling nonhuman victims. Upon completion students will receive a Technical Animal Specialist Certification of Completion.

Equipment requirements:
No equipment will be needed for this classroom course.

Prerequisites:
SRT status must be on file with Rescue 3 International Corporate.

BACKCOUNTRY RIVER CROSSING

This one day course provides the tools and hands on experience for backpackers and hikers to safely assess and cross rivers. Students will learn to read basic river patterns and determine when and where a river is safe to cross. This course also provides practice in the river with self-rescue.