Rescue Swimming on the Flathead River

Here's a video from our recent river rescue training on the North, South and Middle Forks of the Flathead River near Glacier, MT.
Flathead River Rescue Swimmers: Whitewater Rescue Institute

Swiftwater Rescue Training with WRI and Montana Rafting with Montana River Guides

POP QUIZ: DO YOU KNOW YOUR FLOWS?

Someone Doesn't Look Thrilled!

Guides say It's all about the flow. Is that true? How well do you know your river and how it changes at different flows? Answer these questions and see how prepared you are as a rescuer. What river do you paddle on, guide on or work as a rescuer on?  

Where do you get your flow information? What specific gauge? 

What accesses become inaccessible at low water? At High water?  

What is the float time between accesses or evacuation points at high water, medium flows and lower flows? 

What hazards appear or disappear as river levels rise in the spring? 

When, where and what type of accidents are most likely to occur on your river? 

What is your communications plan in case of an emergency? 

What is the best flow and location (s) to conduct rescue training? 

Defensive Swimming: Whitewater Survival

You are on a spring whitewater rafting trip, paddling hard, when the raft hits a huge wave and the "unsinkable" happens; you are swimming unintentionally in the middle of a rapid. Swimming is not really the right word for is happening at first, it's more like the rapid is chewing on you, swishing you around, and enveloping you in liquid power. Now's a good time to remind yourself that this is an adventure. A little preparation and good technique can go a long way towards minimizing risk and even making it fun.

Swiftwater Rescue Class in Montana

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Swiftwater Rescue Class

Missoula, MT

April 19-21                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Whitewater Rescue & River Safety Class Offered 

A Whitewater Rescue Technician class will be offered on the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers near Missoula April 19-21.  The twenty hour class is being hosted by local whitewater outfitter Montana River Guides and is designed for novice river paddlers, professional whitewater guides and rescuers who want to be better prepared to prevent and respond to river accidents.

Swiftwater Rescue Class near Missoula April 5-7

DATE: April 5-7, 2013

LOCATION: Alberton Gorge & Blackfoot River near Missoula, Montana

CLASS HOST: Montana River Guides (www.montanariverguides.com) & WRI

INSTRUCTOR (s): Mike Johnston

CONTACT PHONE: 406-214-0245 

TUITION: $335

WHERE/WHEN TO MEET: 
April 5, 9am at the Montana River Guides headquarters, 138 Big Bend Lane Alberton, Montana, 59820. 

Rescue Swimmers: Know Before You Go!

River Rescue Swimming:

What to Know Before You Go!

Solid swimming skills in moving water are essential for the swiftwater rescue technician. One general guideline WRI Instructors emphasize is that rescuers should choose the lowest risk rescue option available to access a victim.

Many potential rescuers have gotten in trouble by jumping in moving water instead of considering their lower risk options first. Why risk it when you might be able to coach someone to self-rescue, reach, throw, or row  and tow? River emergencies are dynamic and can require would be rescuers to make a split second life and death decision when there is no time, proper equipment, safety or back-up plan. Having said this, many times the simplest, most efficient rescue option requires us to get in the water and swim.

Raft Guide Schools & River Rescue Classes

Whitewater Rafting & Rescue Training 2013

April 5-9     RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL                     Missoula, MT

April 5-7     Swiftwater Rescue Tech                  Missoula, MT

April 8-9      Whitewater Rafting Clinic               Missoula, MT

April 12-14  Swiftwater Rescue Tech                Billings, MT

April 27-28  Swiftwater Rescue Tech                Kalispell, MT

May 10-12   Swiftwater Rescue Technician     Missoula, MT

May 10-14   RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL                    Missoula, MT

May 11-12   Swiftwater Rescue Technician     Jackson,WY

May 13-14   Whitewater Rafting Workshop      Missoula, MT 

May 18-19   Swiftwater Rescue Technician     Bozeman, MT

May 25-26   Swiftwater Rescue Technician     Big Sky, MT

May 29-30   Swiftwater Rescue Technician     Gardiner, MT

June 1-2      Swiftwater Rescue Technician     W. Glacier, MT

June 7-11  RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL                      Missoula, MT  

SUMMER YOUTH ADVENTURE CAMPS (Ages 11-17)

June 14-18  Whitewater Leadership         Alberton Gorge Ranch      

June 19-21  Whitewater Adventure Camp  Alberton Gorge Ranch

Call 406-214-0245 or email:  rivers@montana.com   for class info

Ohio Swiftwater Rescue Training

Here's some footage of a class Martin and Mike from the Whitewater Rescue Institute taught near Defiance, Ohio in October.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkT8bGG1jto&feature=youtu.be