Description: This course is designed to give personnel of agencies, which may be involved in water rescues an understanding of the logistics, strategies, and tactics that may be employed in a rescue situation. Emphasis is placed on safety for the rescuers and hazards encountered by swift water rescuers.
Practical exercises are used to demonstrate various techniques. Successful completion of a swim test is required before the practical evolutions.
Course Hours: 32
Refresher Hours: 16
Reference Materials: River Rescue, by Les Bechdel and SlimRay, 1985, River Rescue, by Ohio State, 1980, Ice Rescue, by International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists, 1982
Basic Course Prerequisites:
· Good physical condition
· Average or better swimmer capable of performing a reasonably good surface dive, swim at least 250 yards fully clothed with a personal floatation device (PFD), and tread water at least 5 minutes without a PFD. STUDENTS WILL BE TESTED
· MINIMUM of 16 years of age
· MUST have completed Introduction to Swift Water Rescue within one year of enrollment
· MUST provide own equipment which is to include:
- pair of shoes that can be worn in the pond or river or wet suit booties
- wet suit
- pair of scuba fins
- water rescue helmet PFD Type III only
- pair of leather gloves
Instructor Course Prerequisites:
· MINIMUM of 18 years of age
· MUST be certified in Basic Vertical Rescue-Rescue Tech Level II or equivalent
· MUST hold current Swift Water Rescue certification
· MUST have successfully completed the Swift Water Rescue pre-test with a score of 80
· MUST provide own equipment (see above)