SWIFTWATER TECHNICIAN COURSE

JUNE 15-18 (FULL 4-DAY CLASS)

In order to enroll in the “Tech Only” class, students must have already completed the Operations portion.  All students will participate in a 1000′ endurance swim (in still water).  This swim is required as a prerequisite to participation in the technician level course.

 

We begin with a 2-day NFPA compliant Operations course.
All students will participate in a 1000′ endurance swim (in still water).  This swim is required as a prerequisite to participation in the technician level course.
The second two days will be our NFPA compliant technician course, culminating in the practical final exam.

This is a physically demanding, professional rescue course.
*Participants must be a member of fire, EMS, law enforcement or other rescue team.*
Each student must provide their own PPE.  See below for a required gear list and more detail.

THE BREAKDOWN:
Awareness/Operations Level Rescue - First Two Days

 

The first two days of the June course fulfills operations level requirements for swift water rescue.  Our main focus will be on shore-based and tethered boat rescues.  Students will familiarize themselves with the river and learn self-rescue techniques and defensive swimming.

Day one: The day is spent in the classroom covering:

  • Essential knots and rigging, including basic highlines
  • How to read the river and assess hazards
  • Patient handling techniques
  • Water Rescue Incident Management
  • Throw bag techniques including vectoring lines
  • Up-stream spotters and down-stream safety back-ups
  • Use of floating hose lines
  • Whistle commands and hand signals for communications

Day two: The day is spent on the river for hands-on training:

  • Defensive and offensive survival swimming techniques
  • Wading drills & Low Water Crossing
  • Throw bag rescues
  • Utilizing the power of the current
  • Methods to avoid and confront “strainers”. (The number one killer of victims and rescuers who end up being swept down-stream)
  • Tethered boat rescues
  • Highline boat rescues & rigging systems

Our 16 hour class is NFPA compliant.
Lunch is provided on-site each day.
Lodging is available in either Iron Mountain, MI. or Norway MI.
Cost: $400/person

Technician Level Swiftwater Rescue - Second Two Days

 

This physically demanding two-day class builds on the skills learned in the opeations level class.

Completion of a 1000′ endurance swim is required. (Swim will be completed on the evening before class, unless previously arranged with Pioneer Rescue)

  • Each morning starts with offensive and defensive swims
  • Throw bag drills
  • Diagonal high-lines
  • Ropes rigging
  • Snow fence drills, for single and multiple victims
  • Tethered rescue swimmer “GO” rescues
  • Zip-line patient transfers

practical skills test completes the 16 hour class at the end of the second day.

Students are required to supply their own PPE. (see below for a gear list)

Pre-requisite: NFPA Operations level certification

Lunch is provided on-site each day.
Lodging is available in either Iron Mountain, MI. or Norway MI.
Cost: $400.00/person.

 


Each student is required to bring along the following list of PPE:

  • Technical Rescue style helmet. No bunker helmets allowed.
  • Vest-style Personal Flotation Device with crotch straps.  We recommend a swift water vest with chest panel and pockets
  • Shoes or boots with soles and ankle protection
  • Whistle
  • Throw bag with floating water rescue rope. 50′-70′
  • Wet suit or dry suit is (required for the technician level class.)
  • Trauma shears or swift water knife (optional)

 

All required equipment is available for purchase prior to the class.

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