Far Flung Adventures Uncle Steve Harris And International Rescue Instructors Association
Present  Swiftwater Rescue Technician 2006

E-mail:  unclergr@laplaza.org

Swiftwater Rescue discipline has evolved from twin sources in mountain search and rescue and whitewater recreation.  Initially designed by Jim Segerstrom and associates under the banner of Rescue 3, the program continually evolves as new information is developed. Since 1986, Far-Flung Adventures and its associates have annually provided Swiftwater training to rescue agency personnel, professional river guides, expedition leaders and field scientists in New Mexico, Arizona and west Texas.  References are available upon request. Although the southwestern U.S. contains few large rivers, principally the Colorado and Rio Grande and their tributaries, it is laced with ephemeral streams and runoff channels. Virtually every locality has potential swiftwater/flooding conditions, and many professional rescuers and river outfitter-guides have looked to this program to help prepare them as rescuers.  These courses are NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1670/1006 Compliant.

 SCHEDULED CLASS DATES FOR 2006   All courses based in Pilar New Mexico unless otherwise noted.

*SWIFTWATER RESCUE FOR RIVER PROFESSIONALS:

 March 30-April 1        May 1-3       June 21-23             Cost 0

Recertification Seminar:  May 4, 2006  Cost: *

SWIFTWATER/FLOOD RESCUE TECHNICIAN:

May 14-20     Cost 0  Combines: Practical Rope Rescue (May 14-16) & Swiftwater/Flood Rescue (May 17-20), each of which may be taken separately, at a cost of 0.  Jim Segerstrom, guest instructor.

 Click for reservation form 
 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONSSwiftwater Rescue for Whitewater Professionals-(National Fire Protection Association 1670/1006 Compliant to Level 2 “Operations”). Certification provided upon completion.Swiftwater Rescue for River Professionals (SRRP) is three-day curriculum for river guides, field researchers and expedition leaders. The curriculum is virtually identical to Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician, but without fire company-based skills and includes practical considerations for boat-based professionals such as trip organization, hazard mitigation, guide/outfitter roles and legal responsibilities. The curriculum also includes:  river equipment care/use/maintenance, swimming-, shore- and boat-based rescue, basic mechanical advantage and rope rescue.  An independently verified practical skills examination on final day requires the student to demonstrate:  swimming rescue, throw bag rescue and mechanical advantage system.

Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician – (National Fire Protection Association 1670/1006 Compliant to Level 3 “Technician”).  Certification provided upon completion. Curriculum features one full day of classroom teaching, with materials on: · Rescue philosophy and “Absolutes”;· Swiftwater hydrology, hazards and dynamics;· Flood and special rescue problems (incl. low-head dam, trapezoidal channel and vehicle problems)· Rescue scene size-up, safety and preplanning; · Personal preparedness, equipment and team organization;· Swiftwater medical problems. Followed by two days of practical exercises at the river, including options for:· Tethered swimmer and contact rescues;· Reach and throw bag rescues, · Rescues utilizing boats and adjunctive devices;· Foot and body entrapment problems;· Technical rope rescues. An independently verified skills test will be administered on the final day.  Student must demonstrate competence in:  whitewater swimming, contact rescue, throw bag (for time and accuracy), mechanical advantage system and a thought problem.

Certification Requirements for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician:· Pass a swim test of 300 meters in 12:00 minutes.· Complete a course in basic rope rescue skills (such as SRS’ Practical Rope Rescue, see above).· Pass a written, cognitive exam based on pre-course reading material.· Complete all course exercises.· Demonstrate satisfactory performance skills to independent examiner (swims, throwbag, mechanical advantage, thought problem).Please Note:  This course is physically demanding and requires substantial time swimming in river. Rescue Agency Personnel may also enroll in Level 1 (Awareness) training on day 1 or level 2 training (Operations) on days 1 and 2.

NEW in 2006:  Swiftwater/Flood Awareness On-line-(National Fire Protection Association 1670/1006 Compliant to Level 1 “Operations”). Not a certification course.Special Rescue Services, in response to a growing demand from fire/rescue agencies, has designed a self-teaching, multi-media Swiftwater Awareness course, suitable for individual study or fire academy curriculum.  Included is : Rescue philosophy and “Absolutes”; Swiftwater hydrology, hazards and dynamics; Flood and special rescue problems (incl. low-head dam, trapezoidal channel and vehicle problems); Rescue scene size-up, safety and preplanning;   Personal preparedness, equipment and team organization.Click here  to learn more. 

CUSTOM/CONTRACT COURSES: Our instructors can provide custom rescue instruction to your team of 10 or more on your preferred date.  In addition to SFRT and Swiftwater Operations, we offer a one day, classroom-based Swiftwater Awareness course.  Courses are also available, by special arrangement, to agency personal in:  Practical Rope Rescue, Emergency Boat Handling and Flood Operations Management.  Please contact Program Coordinator should you need more information about your agency’s preparedness or NFPA compliance.  By sufficient advance notice, Instructors may travel to your area and conduct the course on your home stream.

ABOUT YOUR CERTIFICATION: All Swiftwater/Flood Rescue certifications are valid for three years from date of course completion.  Re-certifying Technicians may receive reduced cost enrollment.  Expiring River Professional may be eligible to attend a one day recertification seminar (which includes performin  the independently-verified skills tests) Please contact Program Director, Steve Harris, at 505-751-1269 or at unclergr@laplaza.org to discuss program requirements. 

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES: Students must be in good physical condition and be able to demonstrate basic swimming ability. To register, you must first determine space availability through the Program Director, or Far-Flung Adventures office.  Once your space has been confirmed you will be mailed pre-class studymaterials, which we expect you will have thoroughly reviewed prior to the beginning of the course.  A pre-test on this material will be administered on the classroom day. Full payment, or at minimum, a deposit of 0 confirms your space. We accept check, credit card or a valid agency purchase order. Any balances due must be received no later than two week prior to the start of instruction.  Registration closes two week prior to starting date of course to allow time for students to study class materials.  Click for reservation form 

 Instructors will provide: All technical gear, pre-session classroom and in water instruction, manual, certificate and wallet card.  Students must provide: PFD, river helmet, wet- or dry-suit, booties or sneakers; 6’ rope, lunches and drinking water. 

800-359-2627    505-758-2628    FAX: 505-776-1443

e-mail: farflung@laplaza.org

Click for reservation form