Aggressive swimming. Swiftwater rescue training on the Gallatin River prepares guides for a season of whitewater rafting in Montana.

Swiftwater Rescue Technician Classes in Montana

Montana River Guides is retting ready for the river with a slate of river rescue and whitewater raft guide classes. Class Schedule for 2012.

Swiftwater Rescue Traaining

2012 River Rescue and Guide Training

Montana River Guides


2012 Class Schedule

2011 Swiftwater Rscue Classes

Montana River Guides and The Whitewater Rescue Institute are offering a variety of rafting and river rescue training Spring 2011 throughout Western Montana. The classes are being taught by Mike Johnston and Cody Harris and certified through the Whitewater Rescue Institute. Here's a tentative calendar of 2011 River Rescue and Guide Classes. We're still firming up some of the dates as we hear from agencies and organizations that are working out their training schedules.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Swiftwater Rescue Technician: A two and a half to three day course designed for raft guides and private boaters, the SRT is a 20 plus hour class with a half day of classroom instruction followed by two plus days developing and practicing skills on the river. While the initial emphasis is safety & self rescue, the class offers an in-depth look at reading water, recognizing and avoiding hazards, quick rescue techniques, boat-based rescues, dealing with boat wraps and entrapments, technical rescue systems, and a variety of practical scenarios. We analyze footage of actual river rescues in the classroom and progress from a solid foundation of rescue skills and practice into rescue scenarios on the river. The class is challenging, fun and tailored to the students needs. A manual, test, patch, I.D. card, and certification are included. Cost: $335


RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: We offer two to five day classes designed for people wanting to lead river trips. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, equipment, rigging, boat handling, communications, paddle commands, and rescue techniques. Our five day Raft Guide School combines river instruction with a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician class the first two days. On days three, four and five you'll guide whitewater raft trips on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. The course includes a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification and certificate of completion. Tuition: $455

WHITEWATER RAFTING WORKSHOP: A full weekend of whitewater instruction and river skills practice for novice river guides and recreational boaters. One evening of lecture and discussion followed by two full days on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. We’ll focus on reading water and guiding paddle crews through Class II and III whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, rigging boats, communications, paddle commands, boat handling, and rescue scenarios.: $185

Montana River Guides: Since 1994 Montana River Guides has established a reputation based on professionalism and high quality river trips and instruction. We offer a variety of guided raft, canoe, kayak, and riverboard trips on the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot Rivers. The only company in Montana certified to teach River Rescue through the Whitewater Rescue Institute, MRG has provided river rescue instruction to staff from over 200 different companies and rescue agencies in the region. We have provided training for everyone from experienced Grand Canyon River Guides to people just learning to read water and beginning to run rivers. Clients include NOLS, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, The Discovery Channel, Missoula City Firefighters, Flathead County Search & Rescue, US Coastguard Helicopter Rescue Swimmers--to name a few. We tailor the classes to meet individual student needs. After learning and practicing rescue skills, students work together as a team and respond to rescue scenarios. You will have the opportunity to take the lead or to observe other students trying to solve a rescue problem. The feedback we've gotten from students over the years has reinforced our approach to keep the classes fast-paced and scenario-based.

Equipment: You will need a full wetsuit or drysuit; a pair of neoprene booties and gloves, a helmet (w/skullcap or hat); and a lifejacket. Personal equipment rentals are available from Montana River Guides for $25 the first day of class. Bring a lunch, water and extra dry, warm top & bottom layers such as fleece and polypropelene.



2011 Class Schedule

April 1-3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Missoula, MT

April 1-April 6 Whitewater Raft Guide School / Alberton Gorge

April 15-17 Swift Water Rescue Technician /Missoula, MT

April 16th One Day River Safety Clinic / Missoula, MT

April 30-May 1st Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Kalispell, MT

May 6-7 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Billings, MT

May 13-15 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Missoula, MT

May 13-17 Whitewater Raft Guide School / Missoula, MT

May 21-22 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Bozeman, MT

May 28-30 Swiftwater Rescue Technican / Big Sky, MT

June 6-8 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Kalispell, MT

June 12-14 Swiftwater Rescue Technician / Missoula, MT

June 12-16 Raft Guide School / Alberton Gorge, MT

June 14-15 Whitewater Rafting Workshop / Alberton Gorge, MT

Registration: Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to: Montana River Guides 761 Hidden Valley Rd, Florence MT 59833. Agency billing can be arranged over the phone. If the course is cancelled or you cancel more than three weeks prior to the class a full refund will be made--otherwise you may forfeit your deposit. For specific directions, a class outline, and lodging info, call Mike or Cody, at (406)-777-4837. For more information check our website at www.montanariverguides.com.

Thanks,

Mike Johnston, Instructor

Montana River Guides

406-77-RIVER

406-240-0560 (cell)

More Swiftwater Classes in Yellowstone, Glacier & Missoula

More swiftwater rescue training!
We have availability in the following classes:
May 20-21 Alberton Gorge, MT
May 23-25 Gallatin River- Big Sky,
May 26-27 Yellowstone River -Yellowstone Park,
June 5-7 Flathead River -Glacier Nat'l Park,
June 19-21 Clark Fork River- Missoula, MT

For more info visit Montana River Guides

Gallatin River Rescue Class

Every year we head over to the mighty Gallatin River in May and teach a couple of swiftwater rescue classes. In this photo students used a stabilization line in an entrapment scenario. The first Gallatin Class is scheduled for May 16-17. The second is scheduled for May 23-25. Call 240-0560 for details or visit www.montanariverguides.com

Swiftwater Rescue & Guide Training 2009

RESCUE 3 MONTANA is offering a variety of rafting and river rescue training Spring 2009 throughout Western Montana. The classes are being taught by Mike Johnston and Cody Harris. Here's a tentative calendar of 2009 River Rescue and Guide Classes. If you would like to host a class in your area, please let us know and we'll create a class at a time and place that is best for your team.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Whitewater Rescue Technician: A two and a half day course designed for raft guides and private boaters, the Whitewater Rescue Technician is a 20 hour class with a half day of classroom instruction followed by two days developing and practicing skills on the river. While the initial emphasis is safety & self rescue, the class offers an in-depth look at reading water, recognizing and avoiding hazards, quick rescue techniques, boat-based rescues, dealing with boat wraps and entrapments, technical rescue systems, and a variety of practical scenarios. We analyze footage of actual river rescues in the classroom and progress from a solid foundation of rescue skills and practice into rescue scenarios on the river. The class is challenging, fun and tailored to the students needs. A manual, test, patch, I.D. card, and certification are included. Cost: $295

RAFT GUIDE SCHOOL: We offer two to five day classes designed for people wanting to lead river trips. We focus on safety, reading water, and guiding paddle rafts through Class II, III and IV whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, equipment, rigging, boat handling, communications, paddle commands, and rescue techniques. Our five day Raft Guide School combines river instruction with a certified Whitewater Rescue Technician class the first two days. On days three, four and five you'll guide whitewater raft trips on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. The course is hosted at the Alberton Gorge Ranch and includes a Whitewater Rescue Technician certification and certificate of completion. Tuition: $435

Spring Break Raft Guide School March 21-25
April Raft Guide School March 26-28 & April 3-5
May Raft Guide School : May 18-22
June Raft Guide School: June 12-16
Wilderness First Aid March 26,27 Wilderness First Aid April 3-5

PROFESSIONAL RIVER GUIDE SCHOOL:
A seven-day comprehensive course designed for students interested in becoming professional river guides. The class integrates certified Wilderness Emergency Medicine and River Rescue training with hands-on guide training while running the river each day. Guide topics covered include equipment, boatrigging, trip preparation, risk management, reading water, and rafting class II, III and IV whitewater. Students practice and develop medical skills in river rescue scenarios during guide training on the river. The course is hosted by the Alberton Gorge Ranch near Missoula, Montana. Upon course completion students receive certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue. No experience necessary. Tuition: $695

WHITEWATER RAFTING WORKSHOP
A full weekend of whitewater instruction and river skills practice for novice river guides and recreational boaters. One evening of lecture and discussion followed by two full days on the Blackfoot River and Alberton Gorge. We’ll focus on reading water and guiding paddle crews through Class II and III whitewater. Topics include trip preparation, safety talks, rigging boats, communications, paddle commands, boat handling, and rescue scenarios.: $185

Montana River Guides & Rescue 3 Montana Since 1994 Montana River Guides has hosted classes for Rescue 3 Montana and established a reputation based on professionalism and high quality river trips and instruction. We offer a variety of guided raft, canoe, kayak, and riverboard trips on the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot Rivers. The only company in Montana certified to teach River Rescue through Rescue 3 International, MRG has provided river rescue instruction to staff from over 200 different companies and rescue agencies in the region. We have provided training for everyone from experienced Grand Canyon River Guides to people just learning to read water and beginning to run rivers. Clients include NOLS, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, The Discovery Channel, Missoula City Firefighters, Flathead County Search & Rescue, US Coastguard Helicopter Rescue Swimmers--to name a few. We tailor the classes to meet individual student needs. After learning and practicing rescue skills, students work together as a team and respond to rescue scenarios. You will have the opportunity to take the lead or to observe other students trying to solve a rescue problem. The feedback we've gotten from students over the years has reinforced our approach to keep the classes fast-paced and scenario-based.

Equipment:
You will need a full wetsuit or drysuit; a pair of neoprene booties and gloves, a helmet (w/skullcap or hat); and a lifejacket. Personal equipment rentals are available from Montana River Guides for $25 the first day of class. Bring a lunch, water and extra dry, warm top & bottom layers such as fleece and polypropelene.

Registration: Register by calling to confirm space in the class. We require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. Just call and give us a credit card number or send the deposit and your contact information to: Montana River Guides 761 Hidden Valley Rd, Florence MT 59833. Agency billing can be arranged over the phone. If the course is cancelled or you cancel more than three weeks prior to the class a full refund will be made. Otherwise you may forfeit your deposit. For specific directions, a class outline, and lodging info, call Mike or Cody, at (406)-777-4837. For more information check our website at www.montanariverguides.com.

Thanks,

Mike Johnston,
Instructor Rescue 3
Montana Montana River Guides
406-77-RIVER
406-240-0560 (cell)
Email: rivers@montana.com
http://www.montanariverguides.blogspot.com www.riverboardingmontana.blogspot.com