Former Student --HEROIC RESCUE!

Miles City Firefighter/Paramedic Branden Stevens' Swiftwater Rescue Skills were tested recently when a man was trapped in a truck submerged in the Tongue River. Branden, who participated in one of our classes in 2007, sent us a couple photos of their successful rescue of a hypothermic victim who was rescued and revived. WAY TO GO BRANDEN!


Mike,

"I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TRAINING THAT YOU PROVIDED! With out it, the patient would have died for sure, we had no water rescue training prior to me attending your course in may of 2007."

Let me know if you can use anything else!

Branden Stevens

Swiftwater Rescue Class for WCKA

We ran our first Swiftwater Rescue Class of the season in mid March on the Clark Fork River's Alberton Gorge. Students and staff from the World Class Kayak Academy (WCKA)participated in the class along with Ravalli County Search & Rescue Team Member Will Buzzell. Still snow on the banks, so the water was refreshing, but everyone in the class had a drysuit so the temps were no problem. The great thing about kayakers is that they never complain about conditions--they're used to a fair amount of discomfort outdoors.

If you haven't heard of WCKA, they're an amazing non-profit accredited high school that takes kids all over the world paddling the best whitewater in places like Uganda, China, Chile & Montana. The kids are future paddling legends, the staff are paddling legends,...for more info and some great paddling entertainment --check out their website, www.worldclassacademy.com


In the class students practiced rescuing conscious and unconscious victims, dealt with entrapment situaions, dealt with boat pins, organized hasty searches, set up a zip line, and much more. The day after class was over they were headed for northern california...to explore some of that stuff. Good luck WCKA Crew.