ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Course and Training

Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental and more advanced 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 will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.

Course Objectives

• Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and injuries.
• Develop and practice key self-rescue skills.
• Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features.
• Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
• Develop and practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment
• Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
• Gain experience using the rescue PFD, and understand its strengths and weaknesses
• Utilize rescue scene management principles needed within a paddling group

Here is a brief overview of the two day course and what to expect

Day 1:

• Introductions
• Talk through Standard Operating Procedure for river rescue
• SWR Incident Management and roles
• Overview of SWR Equipment (specific to what team uses)
• Knots Overview
• River Session @ Souse Hole covering gaining access methods (Wading, Swimming…)
• Brief Overview of equipment for recreationalists (What everyone should have on the river)
• Knots for recreational users & Knot Test for SAR (In two groups)
• Throw Bag Use (Dry Land Intro)

Day 2:

• Introductions
• Pins & Entrapments
• Methods for unpinning Boats (Anchoring to boats, Direct Pull, Vector Pull & Mechanical Advantage)
• Foot Entrapment – Methods for stabilization & extraction
• River session @ Souse Hole covering Advanced skills – Tethered Swimmer & V-Lowers
• Rotate Through Scenarios two different advanced scenarios
• Accident Avoidance
• Hazards & Hydrology
• Scene Assessment & Management
• River session @ Souse Hole Covering “Quick Rescues” Two Stations – Boat Based rescue & Throw Bagging
• Two Scenarios @ end of day for groups to rotate through

Boating Gear

Boat* (Kayak, Inflatable Kayak, SUP) Paddle, Helmet, PFD, shoes, skirt, warm clothing

*We will use boats mostly for scenarios and drills. Our course will take place in a stationary setting. No need to bring bigger crafts.

Rescue Gear

Throw Bag, Whistle, Knife
*You will need a Type V Rescue PFD to participate in some higher level skills throughout the course. We have a few extras that we can allow people to share.

Pre Course Work

Check out these Video Knot Tutorials – Having practiced these before the course can greatly increase our time on the water and doing other skills.