Skills Course Overview

The River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. 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, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed at whitewater boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills.

Course Objectives

• Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and
• Develop and practice key self-rescue
• Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features
• Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
• Practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment

Skills Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• All paddle craft are welcome. Boaters should be able to competently maneuver their craft in Class I-II rapids. However, all boaters, and non-boaters with an interest in swiftwater rescue (e.g., professional rescuers), will benefit from the class. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.

Minimum Personal Equipment for Class

Live jacket designed for whitewater use, whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle, throw rope, 15+ feet of one inch tubular nylon webbing, and 2 locking carabiners.

Course Duration

The course duration should be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the participants. Suggested time: Half a day to one day (4-8 hours).

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Moving water on rivers rated up to and including class I.

A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+”  respectively.

A deep chute of water with well-defined eddy lines and no immediate hazards or risks below. Protected space is needed for on-land work with adequate shelter for inclement weather.

Instructor

This course may be offered by Level 3: River Safety & Rescue ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators.

Course Size