Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare for a swiftwater course?
Q. How is the course organized?
- Swiftwater Awareness - 4 hours of theory in a classroom setting.
- Surface Water First Responder - 4 hours in the classroom, 4 hours on flatwater
- Swiftwater Operations - One day in a classroom, one day on the river.
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Level One) - One day in a classroom, two days on the river.
- Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Advanced) - One day in the classroom, 3 days and one night session on the river.
- Rescue from Vehicles in Water - 1/2 day classroom, 1 day on the river, and an optional evening river session
- River Rescue for River Runners - 4 hour classroom session, one day on the river.
Q: Do I have to attend the whole course?
100% attendance is required to receive certification. Anyone more than 30 minutes late (without prior arrangement) will not be allowed to continue the course. This is for safety reasons and in the interest of fairness to other students.
Q. How long does the course run each day?
Courses run approximately 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with a break for lunch. The exceptions are: Swiftwater Awareness which is only four hours in length with various start times and Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Advanced) which also includes a night session that runs from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Rescue from Vehicles in Water may also have a night session (approx. 4 hours), depending on the course.
Q. Will I get a confirmation that the course is going ahead?
Approximately 7-10 days before the course, you will receive an email to confirm details such as classroom location, start time, the instructor’s name and contact information for any last minute issues.
Q. What do I need for the classroom session?
- Be prepared for note-taking.
- Dress for the weather as you may go outside in the afternoon for dryland rope practice.
Q. I’m renting equipment from Raven Rescue. When and where do I get it?
The instructor will provide rental gear on Day 1. Charges will apply if equipment is lost or damaged. Please follow instructions for putting on and taking off gear.
Q. What do I need for the river sessions?
- We recommend a full wetsuit or drysuit (goretex drysuits available for rent from Raven Rescue)
- Water-rescue or paddling helmet (available at no-charge from Raven Rescue)
- PFD (lifejacket) - Type III or IV (available at no-charge from Raven Rescue)
Q. Do I need any extra gear for a Swiftwater Advanced course?
- Rescue harness (full body harness or both a chest harness and a sit harness)
- Headlamp (waterproof is best) or a waterproof flashlight
Q: What do I wear under a drysuit?
- Fleece, wool or “wicking” pants and top
- Wool or “wicking socks”
- NO COTTON as it gets cold and wet quickly
Q: What kind of footwear do I need?
- Neoprene boots with a good walking sole
- Old running shoes that are a bit big so they fit over the drysuit socks (these work great)
- Fishermen’s wading boots (felt-bottom)
Q. What else do I need for river sessions?
- A full change of clothing
- A towel
- Appropriate outdoor gear if the weather is wet or cold.
Q: Are there any nice extras to bring?
- Neoprene gloves (available at MEC) - not required, but nice
- Gear bag to keep your stuff organized
- Garbage bag for your wet stuff
- Camera
Q: What about lunch?
You are responsible for your own food. Please bring:
- Lots of drinking water
- Hot drink in a thermos (optional)
- A good lunch and snacks as needed
Q. What if I’m not a strong swimmer or scared of moving water?
In order to receive a certification you are not required to do anything that seriously frightens you (a little nervous is normal). We proceed in small, simple steps that gradually build your ability to perform higher-level skills. However, if at any point you believe you have reached your limit, we support “Challenge by Choice.” If you wish to observe a specific activity only, please advise the instructor immediately. This will be noted on your skill sheet and should be shared with your supervisor so that they can make an informed decision about the activities for which you are best-suited. However, if you do not complete sufficient skills to your instructor’s satisfaction, your certifcation may be downgraded to a lower level. Raven Rescue recognizes that caution and knowledge of personal limits is a sign of a safe worker.
Q. What kind of paperwork do I receive?*
- A Certificate of Completion.
- A wallet card with your own Rescue 3 registration number & date of expiration.
- A personalized skill sheet (training record) documenting the skills & knowledge you performed or observed. You should give a copy of this to your supervisor as it is proof you have taken the course. Keep your copy in a safe place.
- Registration in Rescue 3’s student database so that your credentials can be verified with a phone call or email.
- A detailed manual for future reference.
Q. How long do I have to wait for my certification or paperwork?
Your instructor will provide your paperwork at the conclusion of the course. No waiting for it to arrive by mail.
Q. What if I lose my paperwork?
Your certification is granted by Rescue 3 International - the global leader in technical rescue training. Part of what sets us apart is the attention we pay to record-keeping. Every student is entered into the Rescue 3 database, and in the future, if you ever lose your paperwork or need to verify your credentials for employment or legal reasons, all it takes is a phone call or email to Rescue 3 to obtain a copy of your personal training record - same day!
Q. How long is my certification valid?
Certification is valid for three years from date of issue. We offer discounted rates (25% off) for re-certification as long as your certification is still valid. You are welcome to audit the same course - at no charge - any time during your certification period, if you wish to refresh your skills.
