Colorado Swiftwater Rescue FAQs
Acquire the necessary expertise and self-assurance required for swiftwater rescue scenarios. The Colorado Rafting Company is dedicated to delivering top-notch training to those wanting to learn about river-related activities. Our instructors, who are certified by the ACA, hold years of experience under their belt and exceed the course standards to optimally prepare students. Their aim is to make learners more proficient, self-assured, and adept in handling swiftwater situations.
In this article we will answer some of the most common questions we receive about our swiftwater rescue courses.
What is a swiftwater rescue course?
A Swiftwater Rescue Course is a training program designed to teach individuals the skills and techniques necessary to safely perform rescues in swiftwater environments, such as rivers, streams, and flooded areas.
This type of course is typically taken by emergency responders, such as firefighters, paramedics, and search and rescue personnel, as well as outdoor enthusiasts like kayakers, rafters, and whitewater guides.
The course typically covers a range of topics including hydrology and river dynamics, hazard recognition, self-rescue techniques, rescue equipment and gear, rope systems, boat-based rescues, and teamwork in swiftwater environments. Participants learn how to assess river conditions, manage risk, and execute rescue plans effectively and safely.
Swiftwater rescue courses often involve both classroom instruction and hands-on practical exercises in real or simulated swiftwater settings. These courses are essential for anyone who may encounter swiftwater situations as part of their work or recreational activities, as they provide valuable skills for responding to emergencies and potentially saving lives in challenging water environments.
Who needs a swiftwater rescue course?
There are many circumstances in which groups of people or individuals might benefit from being aware of and trained in utilizing proper swiftwater rescue techniques. Occupations such as EMS, first responders, professional guides, and also recreational users may find themselves near a shore, or in a boat, and they need to recognize hazards or potentially dangerous conditions and how to manage them especially when things don’t go as planned.
The primary goal is to initially grasp the methods to avert potential rescue scenarios. However, if such circumstances do occur, it becomes crucial to have the right training to effectively employ swiftwater rescue strategies, thereby reducing threats to both the rescuers and those in need.
Colorado Rafting Company provides swiftwater rescue training tailored to various groups, but these are more inclined towards activities like rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding for those engaging in recreational pursuits or serving as professional guides
What are the prerequisites for Swiftwater rescue?
Those operating boats should possess the necessary skills to expertly navigate through Class I-II rapids. The course, however, isn’t exclusively for boaters – anyone interested in swiftwater rescue, including professional rescuers, would find it beneficial. It’s essential for participants to be in sound health and physical condition, have strong swimming skills, and feel at ease while swimming in a flowing current for river drills. Appropriate dressing according to weather conditions and temperature is necessary because participants can expect prolonged durations in water.
What topics and skills are covered in a Swiftwater Rescue Course?
Our 2-day ACA Swiftwater Rescue course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Our courses give you a basic understanding of river hydrology and ways to develop an eye to identifying and avoiding river certain hazards so that you can proactively prevent river accidents and injuries to begin with.
You’ll then learn how to rescue yourself and others effectively and efficiently with stress on preventing worsening situations. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. You’ll learn about swiftwater rescue gear including knots and ropes, practice topics such as shore-based rescue techniques, swiftwater entry and swimming techniques, and incident management.
Fundamental and more advanced techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Does the Swiftwater Rescue Course Come with a Certification?
Colorado Rafting Company’s swiftwater rescue courses are accredited through the ACA. The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the oldest and largest paddle sports organization in the United States, promoting canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. All of our swiftwater rescue course instructors are certified to teach through the ACA. Our students have the option to participate in the course as a skills course, or current ACA members may request the addition of an assessment from our instructor team in order to obtain a L4 Swiftwater Rescue Course Certification. The latter would be the best option for professionals like rafting, kayaking, or stand up paddle boarding guides.
How often is a Swiftwater rescue really performed?
Even with proper planning and preparation, sudden surprises can and do occur. Whether unexpectedly falling into swift moving water after slipping from the shore, or falling from a boat or capsized craft, or pinning a boat on an obstacle in a river, there are a variety of circumstances where a rescue may need to be performed.
For example, in 2023, after many years of drought conditions where Lake Dillon Dam did not overflow, the private and commercial rafting and river running community had the opportunity to run The Blue River. A day or two after the river opened, a very large tree fell over the entire river, creating a complete blockage and strainer. The first three rafts down the river, with professional guides in them, were caught unaware as this tree fall had happened overnight. Rounding a bend in the river they came too quickly upon the tree trunk to avoid it. Our raft guides in the third boat were able to exit to the side of the river and rescued some of the guests who had been ejected from the first two boats. It all happened very fast, but the guides’ training, skills, and reflexes were put to the test, and with proper training in swiftwater rescue techniques they were able to quickly and efficiently execute the rescue.
Where can I take a Swiftwater Rescue Course in Colorado?
Swiftwater rescue courses are held in a variety of river locations throughout the Colorado high country. We operate our Swiftwater Rescue courses on 3 different rivers within the central Colorado region.
How much does a Swiftwater Rescue Course cost?
A 2-day swiftwater rescue course costs around $300-$400 per person and depending on the provider can include all the gear necessary to participate or some may require certain personal gear to take the course.
