This course is designed to prepare emergency response personnel to perform rescue operations in slow moving water emergencies. Topics include pre-planning, personal protective equipment, search parameters, incident action plans, surface rescue techniques, witness interview techniques, deploying rescue aids, and use of watercraft and helicopter operations. Students will participate in moving water exercises to demonstrate proficiency in appropriate skills. This course meets applicable portions of Chapter 9, Water Search and Rescue, NFPA 1670, Standard Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents (2017 edition), and Chapter 11, Surface Water Rescue, NFPA 1006, Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications (2017 edition).

Special requirements

• Students will need:
  • a full wet suit/surface dry suit
  • tennis shoes/booties
  • a lightweight rescue-type/whitewater-type helmet
  • lightweight leather or ski gloves
  • a personal flotation device rated for swiftwater operations with a minimum buoyancy rating of 22 pounds

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Technical Rescue or Technical Rescuer: Core
• Rope Rescue: Technician or Rope Rescue: Level II

Continuing education units (CEUs)

• EMS Non-Core — 16