group learning swift water rescue skills

Swift Water Rescue

Price: $425+ GST

Dates: May 23,24,25 all day | May 30+31 evenings, June 3+4 all day | June 15+16 evenings, June 17+18 all day | Custom groups and dates available

Course is run over 2 evenings and 2 full days or 3 full days Custom dates may be available. Skills include: Hydrology, Rescue Equipment, Swimming, Wading, z-drags and rescues, sweepers, unpinning of canoes, cinches, knots, live bait rescues. This swift water rescue course is ideal for those wanting river rescue knowledge, perfect for canoeists, fisherman, boaters, kayakers or anyone who is around rivers, creeks or streams. This rescue course is very hands on with lots of swimming, simulations and in the river practice. We have a rescue mannequin we use in simulations. Each rescue is unique so we teach you different options that you can use based on the situation.

Upon completion of the rescue course, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from American Canoe Association, the oldest Paddlesport Organization in the world. If you would like an ACA Skills Assessment, there is an additional $50 fee for ACA Membership.  Students need to request Assessment before the start of the course and will be required to meet skill proficiencies by the end of the course.

Prepare for the Unexpected!

When you are hundreds of miles from the nearest road you need to make good choices and be ready when things don’t go as planned.  No one is coming to help you out.  Rivers are dynamic environments that are constantly changing, new channels being made, changing water levels new sweepers, boulders moving, and many other unexpected changes.  Learn and practice these important skills in a controlled & safer environment with the support of our instructors. In this swift water rescue course, we will teach you about the power of moving water.

Skills include:

  • Unpinning a canoe, kayak or packraft
  • Swimming in rapids
  • Using a throw bag
  • Dealing with Sweepers and why they can be so dangerous
  • Dealing with a foot or body entrapment
  • Cutting yourself free from being entangled in a rope
  • Drysuits Mandatory. We have drysuits available for rent.
swift water rescue training
  • 2023 Canoe & Swift Water Rescue Courses