Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician
Valid for 3 Years | Rescue 3 International Certification | $475.00
This 24 hour class is the most popular Swiftwater Rescue course for professional rescuers and teams! Typically taught over three days this water rescue class builds the foundation rescuers need to work around and in moving water and floods. The swiftwater and flood rescue technician curriculum is specifically designed for fire fighters, rescue teams and professional rescuers who require this training as part of their professional compliance or certification. The course is NFPA compliant for Surface Water Rescue standards and it meets some of the requirements for personnel working toward a Technician Level certification.
Course Details
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This course is very active, including a significant amount of time in the water and is suitable for rescuers with no water rescue experience. The course also offers experienced rescuers the opportunity to develop their skills on and off the water with realistic rescue scenarios, self-rescue challenges and lots of hands-on interactive rescues and experiences.
We typically spend the first morning in the classroom and then head to the river for the remaining 2.5 days. This allows for maximum hands on training for self, partner and victim rescue. Access techniques, entrapments, Flood considerations, basic boat handling, water based rigging techniques and throw bagging are also integrated through out the days.
This dynamic swiftwater rescue course is best suited for Fire Fighters, Search and Rescue Volunteers, Military groups, Coast Guard, Boarder Patrol, Disaster Response Personnel, Game and Fish Wardens and other Professional Rescuers.
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Minimum age: 18
Basic Swimming ability
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Rescue 3 International
3 year certfiation
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Course cost is $475.00
Includes Certificate of Completion, Wallet Card, Skills Training Sheet, Whistle, Patch, and comprehensive book.
“KC is an excellent instructor. His methods are preferred if you’re a visual kinesthetic learner. His calm presence and years of experience go the extra mile for creating a positive learning environment. Really helps get the students engaged in their own learning and using their own decision making skills with scenario based learning. Highly recommend Black Fox Rescue Institute for your next rescue certifications.”
-Travis Gass, Park County SAR, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, 2024
Schedule a Custom Course
Need a custom course for your team? Black Fox Rescue Institute offers the option to schedule custom course dates at your location. Let us know what you need and we’ll work with you to set up a custom course that works for your team.
FAQs
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The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue curriculum is specifically designed for fire fighters, rescue teams, military and other professional rescuers who need the best swift water training available! The focus is on responding to a known emergency or disaster.
River rescue is specifically designed for paddlers, guides, packrafters and others who are on the river already and my need to respond to an emergency.
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Drysuit with layers or Full Wetsuit!
2-3 layers to wear under your drysuit
Wrap or towel for changing (especially helpful for wetsuits)
PFD: Type 3 or Type 5 with whistle and knife (knife optional)
Helmet: Lightweight swiftwater helmet (climbing helmet will also work).
Footwear: Boots or shoes with sticky rubber and medium to hard sole for walking on the banks and in the river
wool socks and/or wetsuit socks
Wetsuit gloves ( optional)
Food and water
Prescription medications
Nice to have:
Extra layers for under drysuits in the event it leaks
Extra dry clothes
Camp chair
Changing pad or tarp
Extra contacts and/or prescription glasses
Drysuit repair supplies (Tear-Aid {type A} tape, Seam Grip UV, GoreTex patches)
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Having a Throwbag that you can attach to your waist is the best for swiftwater rescue technicians. This allows you to have it with you when you swim out to patient on a vehicle, rock, or across the channel.
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Manufactures are finally begining to produce swiftwater rescue equipment for Women.
PFD’s with moulded floatation to accommodate breasts
Throw bag sizes vary, pick one that matches your throwing ability
Drysuit with a drop seat
If you want a onesie for layering be sure it has drop seat as well.
If you don’t have an option for a dropset a Shewee type device can also help during classes, long rescues, and searches. Competence with its use, before trying it with drysuit and layers is advisable.
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In order to become a Swiftwater Rescue Technician you will need to complete a Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Rope Rescue Operations Rope Rescue Technician, and Swiftwater Rescue Advanced course. This will then allow you to have all the skills needed to complete your JPR booklet and Pro Qual assesment.
Feel free to give us a call to discuss this process.
“Your can’t Overtrain for a job that can kill you”
Rescue Products
Swiftwater rescue supplies, products and merchandise.
From the Field…
Customizing your river equipment to do the job you need it to do is an ongoing process. Learn the tricks and tips we have found to help with your throwbag
More courses…
Once Swiftwater and Rope Technicians establish a baseline skillset it is time to put them to work in an Advanced Class. Learn the skills to safely combine rope and water rescue. The Advanced Swiftwater course puts students through much more difficult scenarios, including night ops, and facing bigger water.
