Swan-Mission Search & Rescue in Montana

One of the great things about teaching river rescue is that you get to travel around a bit and see different rivers and meet the people who work on them or who volunteer to help the people who get in trouble on them. For several years now I've been traveling up to the Swan River near Bigfork, Montana to train the Swan-Mission Search and Rescue Team.  I enjoyed this last weekends training up there as much as I have eve enjoyed a class. The training was focused on scouting the rivers many strainers and logjams while focusing on entrapment techniques and scenarios. Led by Rod and Pat in rafts we took turns in their Oceanid Rescue Inflatable and floated about twenty miles of river over two days.  What a beautiful part of Montana and a spectacular (and dangerous) river.  There is a remarkable woman, Carol Field, who coordinates and fully participates in the training every year. If only every SAR Unit could have a Carol...she has lived in the area 43 years and worked at the school for over 30 as the clerk so she knows the territory and its people. She cooks meals and feeds all of the members at the monthly meetings, she volunteers at the fire department, is a hardcore sled head, loves to riverboard and run rescue pwc's and much more....Thanks to Carol for all of her dedication, time and skill and to all of the folks at SMSR. Keep up the good work.

Swiftwater Rescue Training with Montana River Guides

April-Swiftwater Rescue Training

April was a busy month with highest river flows Montana has experienced in April since the 1930's. With swiftwater rescue classes going on in Missoula, Kalispell, California, Great Falls and Colorado, we were all over the place. The high flows have started to taper off with the cool weather this weekend. Last week the surf was up for stand up paddleboarding and surfing on Missoula's surf waves. Next weekend we'll be on the Swan River with Swan-Mission Search & Rescue --then it's on to about 40 days and 40 nights of swiftwater training from early May through mid June. Here we go!

Missoula Swiftwater Rescue Classes in April

Two Swiftwater Rescue Technician classes are scheduled for Missoula in April. The first is the weekend of the 6-8 and is almost full. The second is the weekend of the 27-29th. Montana River Guides is hosting the classes on the Alberton Gorge and Blackfoot River. Call 406-214-0245 to sign up. THe classes are certified through the Whitewater Rescue Institute which will be hosting a Swiftwater Rescue Class in BIllings, Montana April 14-15 on the Yelllowstone Rver

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)