Swift Water Rescue

 

Swift Water Awareness

(1 day, 8 hour days)

 

This course provides the foundation skills for students who would like to move into the Swift Water world. For personnel who operate along the shore of moving water environments classified as low risk and may enter the water under safe conditions, but not directly involved in the water rescue.

The Awareness Program covers all related Standards & Regulations, from:

 

  • NFPA 1670, 1006, 1983 & 1500. WCB Sect. 32 Evacuation & Rescue, P.E.P
  • Lifesaving & Canoeing & Guiding Standards
  • Introduction to Water Dynamics, Hydrology, River Hazards & Accident Review
  • Ropes, Knots, Bends, & Hitches
  • Panic, Survival & Cold water Drowning
  • Duty, Responsibility & Bill C45
  • Equipment: Software & Hardware
  • Shore Based Rescues (Reach & Throwing Techniques)
  • Proficiency Evaluations
  • Written Quiz

 

Swift Water Operations Level 1

(32 hours  - 4 days)

 

The operations level includes team-building, working towards a systematic approach to Swift Water Rescue. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge to conduct water based rescue operations in a variety of Swift Water environments. This course is for personnel who operate and search in moving water environments, classified as low to medium risk, and are involved in a support function to a swiftwater/flood rescue technician or team. This course meets and exceeds NFPA 1006 and 1670 and is in conformance with CSA and Work Safe BC Standards

 

The Operations Program Covers:

 

  • Shallow water crossings
  • Self Rescue
  • Defensive & Combat Swimming
  • Ferry Angles
  • Log Jam & Strainers entrapment
  • Medical considerations (Hypothermia, C-Spine & Patient Packaging)
  • Mechanical Advantage (Simple & Compound)
  • Anchoring & Rigging in the Swiftwater environment
  • Team Positions & Incident Management
  • Risk Assessment & Site Evaluations
  • Rescue Pre Planning & Management
  • Continuous Loop crossing
  • Victim tow swim
  • Live Bait Contact Rescues
  • Rescue Board rescues
  • Inflated Fire Hose rescue
  • Tensioned Diagonals
  • Team Scenarios
  • Proficiency Evaluations
  • Team Evaluations
  • Written Quiz

 

Swift Water Technician Level 2

(32 hours—4 days)

 

The technician level requires students to demonstrate skills, knowledge and techniques for hazard recognition, equipment use, and procedures necessary to safely and effectively coordinate, perform and supervise a technical Swift Water incident . Advanced concepts will be employed in rescue strategies, site management, team leadership, hazard mitigation, equipment and resource management and, information gathering. Technical rescue pre-planning and rescue scene management and termination will be explored and developed by the end of this course .The course consists mainly of field instruction. Students are given a written, and individual proficiency and practical evaluations. This course meets and exceeds NFPA 1006 and 1670 and is in conformance with CSA and Work Safe BC Standards.