SWIFTWATER TECHNICIAN COURSE
JUNE 3-6 (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
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: $350/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
A 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.