A Swiftwater Rescue Technician class will be offered in Missoula April 7-9 on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers. The twenty four hour class is designed for novice river paddlers, guides and professional rescuers who want to be better prepared to respond to river emergencies. Swiftwater Rescue training is essential for whitewater rafting guides and search and rescue professionals in Montana
“The initial emphasis of the class is to teach students how to recognize and avoid hazards so they don't become victims,” says Mike Johnston, an instructor at the Whitewater Rescue Institute. “After reviewing equipment, how to read water, and rescue basics they’ll spend two full days on the river practicing self rescue and rescuing others.”
Students learn how to prepare for and prevent accidents, how to swim defensively and aggressively in whitewater, simple shore-based rescues, technical rope systems, and much more.
“We want them to know how to stay out of trouble, how to self rescue if they get in trouble, and have the skills to help some else who may need help on the river,” Johnston said.
Students practice their skills while responding as a team to a series of realistic scenarios that allow them to size up a scene and make rescue decisions in real-time. By practicing in the river students learn what equipment and techniques work and which ones are less effective. Students get hands-on practice with the most likely rescue scenarios Montana rivers offer such as rescuing conscious and unconscious swimmers, hypothermic victims, people stranded or entrapped, boat flip and pins, and situations with multiple victims who need help.
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