Our Company
Our Instructors
Raven Rescue is a Canadian company with 25 years in the rescue training and safety business, and more recently, we have added wilderness medicine to our course offerings. The key to our success is outstanding instructors.
Our technical rescue instructors are all highly operational, which means they regularly work in high-risk environments including swiftwater and surface ice and they utilize technical rope systems and wilderness medical skills on a regular basis.
Our wilderness medical instructors are all medical rescue professionals that actively work in remote or unconventional settings but are also experienced educators, researchers and advocates for healthcare in difficult conditions.
As first responders, outdoor or medical professionals, Raven Rescue Instructors are constantly using the skills they teach and are up-to-date on the latest developments in rescue and rescue medicine theory and practice. In addition, all our instructors all have great personalities, natural teaching abilities and a dedication to customer service. This ensures your training experience is enjoyable as well as educational.
Scroll down to see short bios on all of our instructors.
Walter Bucher
Executive Director & Instructor Trainer
Instructor: Swiftwater, Ice, Rope, Boat
Raven Rescue owner and head instructor Walter Bucher has 25 years of experience in search & rescue and technical rescue instruction. He is Rescue 3’s Instructor Trainer and Official Agent for Western Canada. In addition, Walter Bucher coordinates swiftwater rescue services for Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue and is a volunteer firefighter with Smithers Fire Department. For a detailed bio, please contact us.
Ron Morrison
Programming Director & Instructor Trainer
Instructor: Swiftwater, Ice, Rope, Tower, Boat, Wilderness and Remote Medicine
Ron has accumulated over a decade of delivering rescue, medical, leadership and adventure skills for first response agencies, government, industry and universities. He is a member of the Canadian International Rescue Team, Red Deer Technical USAR Team and the Wilderness Medicine Associates faculty commitee. Ron’s swiftwater credentials come from years as an expedition paddler, he has served as Education Chair for Paddle Alberta and is an examiner for the BC Raft Outfitters Association. He is also well-versed in technical rope rescue and has participated in international climbing expeditions. Ron is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Outdoor Recreation Program and has also served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Craig Gerrard
Instructor Trainer
Instructor: Swiftwater, Rope, Tower, Boat
Craig teaches water-based rescue courses from the awareness to the technician level, as well as boat handling, technical rope and tower rescue. He has a strong background in whitewater, being an accomplished paddler and rafter. In addition, Craig coordinates swiftwater rescue for Cowichan Search and Rescue. He and his wife Stacey own and operate Kindred Spirit Kayak Company out of Duncan, BC. providing whitewater kayaking excursions and instruction and are also dealers for Bliss Stick kayaks and Aire inflatables. Craig is an organized, intuitive and patient instructor and gets great reviews from his students.
Tim Wheeler
Instructor: Swiftwater, Ice, Boat
Tim has an outdoor resume longer than your arm and teaches swiftwater, boat handling and ice rescue. He is an experienced backcountry guide, and leads mountaineering, hiking, canoeing and kayaking expeditions in many remote regions of Canada and around the world. In addition, Tim has worked as an Initial Attack Forest Fire Ranger. He is a natural teacher and clients find him very easy to work with.
Mike Adams
Instructor Trainer
Instructor: Swiftwater, Rope
Mike is a Swiftwater Instructor-Trainer with North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue and teaches swiftwater and technical rope courses for Raven Rescue as well. Combining exceptional swiftwater, technical rope and teaching skills, he is a great asset to our instructor team. Mike is also an accomplished whitewater paddler and river guide and is starting to introduce his young family to river recreation.
Colin Saurette
Instructor: Swiftwater, Ice, Rope, Boat
In addition to teaching swiftwater rescue and ice rescue courses for Raven Rescue, Colin is employed by the Canadian Coast Guard, and is a dedicated volunteer member of the Squamish Search and Rescue team. His SAR involvement keeps his operational skills finely-tuned and he is continually upgrading his qualifications in order to stay current. He is currently working on his Paramedic ticket. Colin is a consumate professional and goes the extra distance to make sure his clients learn the skills they need in order to do their jobs in the safest manner possible.
Kit Little
Instructor: Confined Space, Rope, Swiftwater
Kit is currently a Lieutenant on the rescue truck with North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue. Kit is a certified technician in swiftwater rescue, rope rescue, confined space, tower crane and trench rescue. Kit has volunteered with the Lions Bay Search and Rescue and is currently keeping very busy with a young family!
Peter Lyon
Instructor: Rope, Confined Space, Fall Protection
Peter teaches our low and high angle technical rope courses, confined space and fall protection. Peter works as a safety supervisor for Frontier-Kemper Constructors Inc. and is currently working at the Seymour Capilano Twin Tunnels site in Metro Vancouver. Peter’s background includes mine rescue, fire fighting and technical rescue equipment sales. Peter is detail-oriented and conscientious—important qualities for a rope instructor. He has a great sense of humour and an ability to inspire confidence in clients who may be testing their personal comfort zone.
Scott Streadwick
Instructor: Swiftwater
Scott is a multi-faceted swiftwater professional. As owner of Liquid Lifestyles, a river adventure company, kayak school and swiftwater equipment retailer, Scott makes it possible for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy river recreation in kayaks, inflatables and rafts. Scott keeps his rescue skills sharp as the Director and Training Officer for Wells Gray Search and Rescue. In winter, he is a professional heli ski guide in the Cariboo and Monashee mountains and soon-to-be ice rescue instructor. Scott is also the proud papa of a new baby boy.
Todd Sikorsky
Instructor: Ice, Rope, Tower
Todd is currently the Chief for Canmore FIRE/EMS. Todd is an ALS and flight certified paramedic, and a lead specialist for the Canmore Technical Rescue team. His list of certifications is long and includes being dive qualified and certified through Alberta Parks for Heli-sling operations. Todd is the owner of SOS Hardware, a Canmore-based supplier for professional rescue supplies. He is an active member of the IFSAC and PRO board and certified as an NFPA instructor. Todd is an easygoing instructor with a wealth of experience. Todd is also an avid climber and mountain bike enthusiast.
Danny Peled
Gatineau, Quebec
Instructor: Swiftwater
Danny teaches first aid and whitewater rescue and is director of Boreal River, a rafting expedition company. He has led extended canoe trips in Northern Quebec and Ontario and has guided rafts on the Ottawa where he was river manager for Esprit Rafting. Danny was lucky to combine his passion for exploring rivers, travel, and teaching while living and leading programs in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Chile for seven winters. He currently resides in Gatineau, Quebec with his partner Letha and his young dog Lizzie. Danny’s sense of humour, high energy, and experience make the courses that he’s part of a great time for everyone.
Stefan Bucher
Instructor: Swiftwater
Stefan grew up on the river and is equally at home in the water as on land. Stefan is an accomplished paddler, a certified lifeguard and a registered nurse, specializing in emergency medicine. Stefan is also experienced in swiftwater search & rescue. He has an exceptional ability to read water, identify hazards and apply low-to-high risk rescue options, making him a valuable asset to our teaching team. Stefan teaches awareness, operations and technician-level swiftwater courses.
Chris Burnham
Instructor: Swiftwater
Chris is at home on rivers worldwide having kayaked and rafted in places like the UK, Italy, Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Nepal & Zimbabwe. He is an owner and guide of Chinook Rafting, a river company that runs trips close to Banff, Alberta. In addition, Chris is a rafting examiner for the BC and AB River Outfitters Association, a certified kayaking instructor, and is an emergency medical and advanced wilderness first responder. Chris also has a strong background in rope rescue and has worked for the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association. Chris brings a wealth of experience, skill and charisma to our team.
Kevin Knight
Instructor: Swiftwater, Boat
In addition to Kevin instructing for Raven Rescue, he is an owner and guide of Main Current Rafting Expeditions, a river rafting company that runs trips throughout northern BC. Kevin is equally at home on a raft, kayak, bike, in scuba gear, or hiking in the remote wilderness. From forestry to mechanics to business management Kevin is a multifaceted individual. Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the swiftwater and boat handling courses he instructs. His professional and safety conscious persona makes him a valuable asset to our team.
Rob Vance
Instructor: Swiftwater, Wild Med
Rob has been guiding and instructing outdoor skills for almost 10 years. He has a wealth of paddle guiding and instructional experience. Rob has guided paddling expeditions in the Canadian North, Alberta and Ontario. Rob holds a BA in geography, Bachelor of Physical Health and Education and most recently a Bachelor of Education with a specialty in Outdoor Education. His strong academic background and teaching experiences are a real asset to our team. Rob is also a certified whitewater paddling instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Emergency Medical Responder and instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates. He is also the co-founder of Connected in Motion – an organization whose mission is to unite people with type one diabetes who want to live healthy outdoor lifestyles through outdoor experiential learning opportunities. Check out more about Connected in Motion online at http://www.connectedinmotion.ca. Rob splits his time between Raven Rescue, guiding river expeditions in the Canadian north and Connected in Motion.
Florian Scharlock
Instructor: Swiftwater,
Florian moved from Switzerland to Canada in 2002. Having learned to kayak at age 13, he naturally drifted towards a career in the outdoors. He completed the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Certificate Program at the College of New Caledonia in Valemont BC as well as the Adventure Tourism Guide Diploma through Thompson River University in Kamloops.
Flo teaches kayaking, swiftwater rescue and rafting for Thompson Rivers University and also guides for Cresent Spur Heliskiing.
Rob Evans-Davies
Instructor: Swiftwater, Rope, Ice
Rob is also a certified NFPA instructor, ALS paramedic and an Assistant Chief of Canmore Fire Rescue. Rob brings a wealth of operational experience and knowledge to our programs. He is also an accomplished paddler with many miles under his belt in the Canadian Rockies. Rob brings a tremendous amount of swiftwater rescue experience to our team. Rob is an experienced and dynamic instructor with a ton of real life experience.
Bob Daffe
Instructor: Swiftwater, Ice
Bob is one of the original Rescue 3 International instructors! Bob is a calm, confident individual who knows how to get people out and enjoying the outdoors. Bob runs Tatshenshini Expediting Ltd., a company that runs adventure and rafting expeditions as well as offering raft, canoe and kayaking courses. Bob knows all the great spots to go to the Yukon.
Paul Carus
Instructor-in-training
After completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland Paul Carus relocated to BC to pursue a career in adventure tourism. His experience in the outdoor industry is diverse, ranging from raft guiding to paragliding to Hydro Broncs. Paul is a member of the Pemberton Search and Rescue group, and a Wilderness First Responder.
Amy Copland
Marketing Director
Amy is the first point of contact for most clients. She coordinates our course bookings and office management. A former journalist and public relations consultant, she is also an avid whitewater paddler and rafter and brings a hands-on knowledge of rivers, rope and safety to her dealings with clients. In the summer months, Amy can often be found on rivers across the West, plying the oars of an 18’ Aire cataraft with a pile of kids and an aging Jack Russell terrier aboard.
