Awareness: Water & Rope Rescue (AWR)
This 8 hour classroom seminar introduces personnel to the problems associated with water & rope rescue as well as the procedures to follow in flash flood, large-scale disaster, and seasonal flooding situations. The course is designed to develop knowledge in the areas of:
- scene assessment & incident size up (of both existing & potential conditions)
- resource ordering
- activation procedures for rescue response
- site control and scene management
- hazard recognition & mitigation procedures
In order to accomplish the responsibilities of the awareness level responder, the course also provides students with a conceptual understanding of the principles, applications, and hazards associated with advanced water rescue techniques.
Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT)
This course is designed specifically for professional guides, private boaters, fish and game personnel, and others who work or play on or around flowing water. Students will benefit from this intensive, hands-on course and will learn to use techniques and simple equipment to assess and perform river rescues. The emphasis is on speedy, low-tech, and improvised rescue techniques that are effective and require minimal equipment.
Basic Water First Responder (BWFR)
This 8-10 hour course is designed for response teams who work around lakes, ponds, or other non-flowing water. The class consists of 4 hours of classroom instruction and 4 hours of in-water practice. During the water portion students learn such things as:
- basic rescue
- self-rescue
- shore-based aquatic rescue using generally accepted "reach &
throw" techniques - in-water self-rescue and safety techniques and the application of water rescue techniques using commonly available fire service equipment
- basic water-related medical emergencies, and how to deal with them, including near-drowning, hypothermia, and cervical spine injuries
- basic boat-based rescue concerns and techniques
Please note: While this class meets the NFPA requirements for the awareness level, it goes well beyond the scope of the awareness level by teaching teaching student's self-rescue and in-water rescue techniques. It is up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction to decide whether or not personnel may perform these skills during water incidents.
Whitewater Rescue Technician 2 (WRT2)
This 2 day course builds on the skills learned in the WRT course and concentrates on developing advanced water rescue skills. Examples of skills learned include:
- managing the rescue scene
- utilization of teams
- litter management
- incorporating ropes into water rescue
- entrapment drills
- and much more
This course also features a mock night rescue scenario.