Frequently Asked Questions
What are “Training Levels”?
The level of training you require depends on the degree of exposure you have to a particular hazard, such as moving water, surface ice or elevation. The rescue training industry, worldwide, recognizes three distinct training levels that qualify you to work in increasing proximity to a hazard. They are:
- Awareness
- Operations
- Technician
Plus, we’ve added a fourth one:
- Recreation
Scroll down to find your work environment (swiftwater, rope, ice, boat) and then read about the different training levels we offer.
Swiftwater
Recreation - A category we’ve added for those who want to learn basic safety skills for recreational pursuits in moving water, ie: whitewater kayakers. Our River Rescue for River Runners course falls into this category. It does not certify you to work on, in or near moving water. Recreational professionals who work on or in moving water, like raft guides or fish guides, must take a Technician level course (see below).
Awareness - Qualifies personnel to work in the “cold zone” more than 10’ from moving water. Our Swiftwater Awareness course includes a four-hour classroom-based introduction to the theory of swiftwater rescue. It provides an overview of the risks and hazards associated with moving water, and a summary of the techniques that can be used to self-rescue or rescue others. This course results in basic background knowledge for those who have front-line personnel who encounter moving water in the course of their work. It does not qualify you to work alongside or in moving water.
Operations - Qualifies personnel to work in the “warm zone” within 10’ of moving water but not in the water itself. Our Swiftwater Operations course is a two-day course including one day in the classroom and one day on the river. It provides the knowledge and skills necessary to work in close proximity to moving water, and to assist those certified to work in the water (from a shore-based position). The course covers basic hydrology of moving water and the risks associated with it. Participants practice shore-based rescue techniques using simple methods, and basic swimming techniques for self-rescue. It does not qualify you to work in moving water.
Technician - Qualifies personnel to work in the “hot zone”, or in moving water. Our Swiftwater Technician (commonly called SRT 1) is a three-day course that is the “standard-of-care” or minimum training recommended for those who work in moving water. The classroom session provides detailed knowledge of hydrology and hazards associated with moving water. The next two days are spent in moving water, learning skills including shallow water crossings, self-rescue and simple, effective techniques for the rescue of others.
Technical Rope
Awareness We do not provide a certification course in rope instruction at this level. On request, we are able to conduct 1/2 day info sessions for those interested in learning more about technical rope (low and high angle) systems and the type of training and equipment needed for employees to work safely when utilizing these systems.
Operations Qualifies personnel to work on terrain or with systems that have a low slope angle from 15 to 35 degrees (from the horizontal). Our three-day Technical Rope - Operations course is the “standard-of-care” or minimum training recommended for those who utilize low angle rope rescue skills in the course of their work, including over-the-bank extrication of victims and vehicles.
Technician Qualifies personnel to work on terrain or in situations requiring steep and high slope angles of 35 to 90 degrees. Our Technical Rope - Technician course is the “standard-of-care” or minimum training recommended for those who utilize steep or high angle rope rescue skills in the course of their work, including chair-lift evacuation, cliff rescue, bridge inspection, maintenance and repair, and other steep or vertical scenarios. It is an excellent foundation for other rope rescue disciplines including confined space and tower rescue.
Ice
Technician: Qualifies personnel to work on surface ice, ie: frozen lakes, ponds and rivers. Our two-day Ice Rescue Technician course is the only surface ice training we provide. Learn to determine the factors that influence ice thickness and strength, identify hazards, self rescue and simple techniques for the rescue of others. The course is one day in the classroom and one on the ice. On request, we are able to conduct 1/2 day info sessions for managers and supervisors interested in learning more about surface ice hazards and the type of training and equipment needed for employees to work safely in this high-risk environment.
Boat
Our boat training is not categorized according to training levels. We offer a three-day Boat Handling course for both swiftwater and flatwater, for motorized or non-motorized watercraft of all types. We can also provide customized training sessions of one or two days, or 1/2 day info sessions for supervisors and managers interested in learning more about boating hazards and the type of training and equipment needed for employees to work safely in this high-risk environment.
For more information on these courses, please click on the links (above) or go to our water, ice, rope and boat sections.
