Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course

This is a pre-requisite to the Swiftwater Rescue Technician – Advanced Course (SRT-A)

• The class is mostly field skills with minimal classroom time.
• Prerequisites are the students be in reasonable physical conditions, have basic strong swimming abilities and have current medical coverage.
• This is the first of two classes needed for fire personnel wanting to meet the requirements of (NFPA) 1670 Standard for water at the technician level.

This Rescue 3 International Course is approximately 24-30 hours total with 8-10 hours of classroom and approximately 16-20 hours in the field. It is suggested that the class be held over 3 days, but it can be adjusted to fit shift and other schedules.

To fully complete all the requirements of the NFPA 1670 Standard for water and rope at the technician level, each student, in addition to the SRT-1, must complete the Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced (SRT-A) and have a rope course that meets that standard’s requirements. The rope training can be taught either by Rescue 3 (our Technical Rope Rescue: Technician Level course TRR), by another recognized rope-training course from your state, or by departmental training. To meet the conditions for water technician, the rope requirements must also be met.

General Objectives

1. To develop a sense of confidence and necessary skills for fire and rescue personnel in dealing with swiftwater situations.
2. To train the student in utilization and adaptation of standard rescue gear in swiftwater situations.
3. To train the student in usage of innovative rescue equipment in swiftwater situations.

Behavioral Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student will:

1. Have a sound working knowledge of swift water dynamics and water-related physiology.
2. Be able to recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of specific medical problems related to water accidents.
3. Have a working knowledge of all equipment used including: safety gear, climbing gear, lights, boats, signaling devices, specialized gear and vehicles.
4. Be able to utilize helicopters as a rescue asset; understand their characteristics, capabilities, and limitations; including safety considerations while working around helicopters.
5. Be able to rescue and extricate an accident victim from the water.
6. Be able to safely swim in swiftwater and maneuver so as to negotiate river hazards and obstacles at various water levels.
7. Be able to handle small inflatable boats by paddle, oar and on tether.
8. Have a general knowledge of applicable communications systems.
9. Have knowledge of law-enforcement responsibilities and on-scene leadership.
10. Understand swift-water rescue team organization and the response of the victim.
11. Be able to utilize climbing and technical rescue gear applicable to swift-water rescue.
12. Be able to ford shallow and fast-moving water utilizing various techniques.
13. Be able to cross deep, slow-moving and fast-moving water utilizing basic climbing gear, small boats, and combinations of the two.

No lodging or meals included

Please bring a healthy lunch and snacks for each day. Plenty of water and drinks advised. There will not be a chance to go anywhere from the training sites for meals. No alcohol Please.