Swiftwater Rescue
Learn to assess and respond quickly to emergencies and life-threatening situations involving swift-moving water. There is no substitute for knowledgeable instruction, hands-on training and simulated real life conditions, when learning swiftwater rescue.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) offers two different levels of swiftwater rescue programs. Our professional courses are designed to prepare fire departments, government agencies, military personnel, and first responders seeking certification and training. Our recreational courses are designed for everyday paddlers seeking essential life saving techniques. We encourage anyone who may be confronted with a potential water rescue, as well as the possibility of self rescue, to participate in the appropriate program.
With our ability to change the river to simulate diverse hazards and hydraulics, the USNWC is the perfect custom training site to prepare your team. Both swiftwater rescue and boat maneuver courses are available. Each class begins in the classroom and moves to the river for hands on training in the afternoon. USNWC Swiftwater Rescue Courses follow NFPA 1670 & 1006 guidelines and exceed them by introducing other aspects of swiftwater rescue.
The USNWC is equipped with full-service shower and changing facilities on site, catered meals and local partner hotels for accommodations.
Contact Aaron Peeler for additional details or inquiries: 704.391.3900 x120 or apeeler@usnwc.org
Available professional courses:
USNWC Swiftwater Rescue Courses (SWR)
USNWC Continuing Education Swiftwater Rescue Clinics
USNWC Paddle Boat Operator Courses
Available recreational courses:
American Canoe Association (ACA) – Swiftwater Rescue Courses
USNWC Swiftwater Rescue I
This intensive two day course focuses on recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self rescue techniques and simple rescue methods used in team dynamics. The USNWC SWR I follows NFPA 1670 & 1006 guidelines for swiftwater rescue. Each day will start in the classroom and will move to the river for hands on training in the afternoon. This course is aimed primarily at anyone confronted with potential water rescue, as well as the possibility of self rescue.
Course content includes:
- Hazards and hydrology
- Self rescue techniques
- Preparation and planning
- Basic use of rescue equipment
- Knots and basic anchor systems
- Wading
- Dealing with foot entrapment
- Tensioned diagonals
- Basic understanding and use of the rescue vest
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisites: Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
Other course information:
- Price: $180
- Swiftwater Rescue Course Book: $30
- Experience Level: Beginner – Intermediate
- Duration: 2 days (16 to 18 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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USNWC Swiftwater Rescue II
This intensive 3 day course focuses on recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self rescue techniques, advanced rescue methods used in team dynamics, victim rescues and scenarios based on real life rescues. Participants will also be introduced to the use of paddle rafts. The USNWC Swiftwater Rescue II follows NFPA 1670 & 1006 guidelines for swiftwater rescue. Each day will start in the classroom and will move to the river for hands on training in the afternoon. This is the second of the two part course.
Course content includes:
- Hazards and hydrology
- Advanced swimming techniques
- Advanced anchor systems
- Advanced cinches for foot entrapment
- Back boarding in moving current
- Two and four point boat systems
- Introduction to paddle/raft maneuvers
- High lines
- Other rescue scenarios
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
- Must have completed USNWC SWR I
Other course information:
- Price: $270
- Swiftwater Rescue Course Book: $30
- Experience Level: Advanced
- Duration: 3 days (24 to 27 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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USNWC Swiftwater Rescue Focus Clinic
This refresher course is a one day, 8hr course that focuses on your needs. From a general swiftwater rescue overview to a day primarily focused on swiftwater rescue scenarios, We will work to provide the class you are looking for.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
- Must complete a minimum of 1 swiftwater rescue course within the past 3 years
Other course information:
- Price: $90
- Experience Level: Intermediate – Advanced
- Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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USNWC Swiftwater Rescue Refresher and Intro to Paddle Boat Operator Course
This two day course includes the 1 day Swiftwater Rescue Focus and the 1 day Intro to Paddle Boat Operator Course.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
- Must complete a minimum of 1 swiftwater rescue course within the past 3 years
Other course information:
- Price: $180
- Experience Level: Intermediate – Advanced
- Duration: 2 day (16 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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Intro to Paddle Boat Operator Course
This course introduces basic guide paddle strokes, recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, paddle commands, boat maneuvers and raft recovery upon a flip. After the completion of this 1 day course participants will have a better understanding and awareness of paddling rafts.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
Other course information:
- Price: $90
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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Paddle Boat Operator 1 Course
This course teaches basic guide paddle strokes, recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, paddle commands, ferrying, eddy hoping and raft recovery upon a flip. Students should feel confident in guiding Class II whitewater and have the chance to guide on Class III whitewater by the completion of this course.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical shape
Other course information:
- Price: $180
- Experience Level: Beginner – Intermediate
- Duration: 2 day (16 – 18 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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Paddle Boat Operator Advanced Course
This course teaches advanced paddle raft maneuvering, recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, R2/R4 maneuvering, dealing with hydraulics, the anatomy of a pin and raft recovery upon a flip in a rapid. Students should feel confident in guiding Class III whitewater by the end of the 2 day course. All students must have completed Paddle Boat Operator 1 Course at the USNWC prior to registering this course. We also provide the Basic Paddle Raft course and the Advanced Paddle Raft course as a combined class.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
Other course information:
- Price: $180
- Experience Level: Advanced
- Duration: 2 day (16 – 18 hours)
- Minimum Age: 18 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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ACA Essentials of River Safety & Rescue
This ACA course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques and simple rescues of paddlers in distress in a flatwater environment. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer (entrapments, pins, etc.) are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who do not anticipate paddling in whitewater.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
Other course information:
- Price: $150
- Experience Level: Beginner
- Duration: 2 day (16 – 18 hours)
- Minimum Age: 16 years old
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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ACA Swiftwater Rescue
This ACA course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress in a swiftwater environment. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments and pins are taught. These scenarios will provide the opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group environment.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
Other course information:
- Price: $150
- Experience Level: Beginner – Advanced
- Minimum Age: 16 years old
- Duration: 2 days (16 – 18 hours)
- Course Capacity: 8 – 18 participants
Course availability:
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ACA Advanced Swiftwater Rescue
The ACA course is aimed at trip leaders, boaters paddling on more challenging whitewater and anyone desiring the opportunity to develop their rescue skills. Critical judgment and rescue awareness, taken within the context of both group and personal saftey, are emphasized throughout the course. This class focuses on developing judgment and applying skills in rescue scenarios. The scope and content of the course will vary, based upon participant needs, interests and experience.
Minimum gear requirements:
- Dress appropriately for weather (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
- Helmet (lightweight water or kayak helmet)
- PFD (USCG Type III or V)
- Shoes (thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes)
- Throw bag
- Two locking carabineers
Prerequisites:
Other course information:
- Price: $150
- Experience Level: Intermediate – Advanced
- Duration: 2 day (16 – 18 hours)
- Minimum Age: 16 years old
- Course Capacity: 12 participants
Course availability:
- Contact us at rescue@usnwc.org to set up a class today for you group
- 2013 Course Dates TBD
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