River Professional - 2 1/2 days

This course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue and rescue techniques for river guides and professionals in distressing scenarios for themselves and their guests. Emphasis while placed both on personal safety focus 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, also are practiced. Scenarios provide opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context. River professionals will be taught the commonalities & differences between personal and group dynamics, safety and avoidance of loss related to a commercial boating environment.  The on-the-water portion of this course is extremely physically demanding and participants will be required to be in a reasonable level of fitness.  Skills assessments through scenarios are available upon request and necessity.

This course teaches recognition and avoidance of common swift water hazards, execution of rescue techniques for rescue professionals in distressing scenarios where rescue is imminent in both rural and urban environments.  Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills that apply to scenarios involving the rescue of the public in general moving water situation. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, similar to the river professional course, but adding in scenarios encountered in a public safety setting such as a car being a washed in stream. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.  Our courses meet the NFPA 1670 standards for operations and training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.  Skills testing via scenarios and continuing education credit is available for professional rescuers who request assessments in order to receive credit.

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