Water
Surface Water First Responder
This course is designed for emergency responders and others who work around lakes, ponds, flood waters or other non or slow moving water.
Students learn shore-based rescue “reach” and “throw” techniques using common rescue equipment. Participants also learn low risk “go” rescue and evacuation techniques.
Please note: While this class fulfills NFPA requirements for Surface Water Awareness level, it goes well beyond Awareness by teaching students self-rescue and in-water rescue techniques - again, for non-moving water (defined by the NFPA as water moving less than 1.85 km/h). It is up to the employer (or AHJ) to decide whether or not personnel may perform the full range of skills taught. To learn more about Training Levels, please see our FAQ.
Details
Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
Format: 4 hours classroom, 4 hours on non-moving water
Cost: $199
Pre-requisites
- 18+ years of age (16-17 years with parental permission)
- Basic swimming ability
- In good physical condition
Required Equipment
- Drysuit or wetsuit*
- Personal flotation device (PFD: Type III or IV)*
- Water-rescue helmet*
- Neoprene gloves (optional)
- Neoprene footwear with a good walking sole, wading boots, or running shoes
- Layers of wool or fleece clothing for under the drysuit/wetsuit including sweater, pants, gloves, socks
* Rentals available - Click here for a list of rental prices and course equipment requirements.
FAQ
More details about water courses including what to expect and how to prepare. Click here for our Swiftwater FAQ.
Course Content
- Philosophy of safety & rescue
- Rescuer safety
- Water dynamics & hazards (including flood water)
- Search considerations
- Personal & team equipment
- Site assessment
- Pre-planning
- On-scene safety & site control
- Communications
- Throw bags and “reach, throw” rescues
- Survival swim
- Swimming rescues and towing
- Wading (individually and in groups) & entrapment drill
- Basic boat-based rescue concerns and techniques
