Water
Swiftwater rescue courses prepare you to operate in and around moving water.
The level of training you need depends on how close you get to moving water in the course of your activities.
1. Awareness (more than 10’ from moving water)
2. Operations (within 10’ of moving water)
3. Technician (in or on moving water)
Choosing a Course
For those who work in or on moving water, the “standard-of-care” or minimum recommended training is Swiftwater Rescue Technician - Level One. The majority of our swiftwater clients opt for this course because it is complete and comprehensive.
For more information on choosing the level of training you require, see our FAQ on Training Levels.
Global Standards = Portability
Except where noted, all of our courses have been independently audited and found to meet the NPFA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training in Technical Rescue Incidents. This is the de-facto global standard for professionals working in high risk areas which means our certifications are instantly recognized around the world.
Check out the course summaries below, and click on the link for detailed information on each course.
NEW! Rescue from Vehicles in Water
A brand new course from Rescue 3 International - now available in Canada. Learn how to apply swiftwater rescue techniques to high risk search and rescue operations involving vehicles in water.
find out more about this course
Swiftwater Awareness
This 4-hour classroom session provides an introduction to working safely around swiftwater. It prepares personnel to work in the “cold zone” (more than 10’ from fast-moving water) and is excellent background for anyone supervising personnel working in “warm” or “hot” zones within 10” of moving water.
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Swiftwater Operations
This 2 day course prepares personnel to work from a shore-based position near (within 10’ of) fast-moving water, an area sometimes called the “warm zone”.
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Surface Water First Responder
This course is specially-designed for emergency responders and others who work around lakes, ponds, flood waters or other non or slow moving water.
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Swiftwater Rescue Technician - Level 1
This 3 day course is for those who work on or in fast-moving water or flood waters (the “hot zone”). It is our most popular swiftwater course, by far, because of its comprehensive nature.
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Swiftwater Rescue Technician - Advanced
This 3-day advanced course will expand the expertise of those who have taken SRT I into the realm of extreme whitewater situations, with the emphasis on victim rescue in hard-to-access locations, and night operations. Pre-requisite: SRT 1
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Swiftwater Rescue Technician - ProBoard Evaluation
This two-day evaluation will test candidates against the NFPA 1006 Standard as outlined by the ProBoard Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (or “ProBoard), an international accreditation system for fire service organizations. Raven Rescue is now able to host these evaluations through a new partnership with the District of North Vancouver District Fire and Rescue Services, a ProBoard accredited testing agency.
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Management of Water & Flood Incidents
Special Course! We hold this five-day course once or twice a year in major centres. It is designed specifically for command-level fire, search and rescue, and police incident commanders as well as those holding emergency management positions for all levels of government including municipalities and regional districts. The focus is on ensuring the safe and effective deployment of first responder resources and streamlined inter-agency cooperation within the existing provincial emergency response framework during major water and flood incidents.
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River Rescue for River Runners
This 1 1/2 day course is designed for outdoor recreationists who want to know how to “play safe” and what to do - fast - when things go wrong on the river. It is ideal for whitewater kayakers, canoeists, rafters and fishermen. Not NFPA compliant.
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Standby Rescue and Safety Services
We can provide certified, insured and experienced professionals to meet your standby rescue and safety needs when personnel are operating near or in fast-moving water (swiftwater).
