build competent and safe swiftwater rescue teams

Swiftwater Rescue Trainer (SWRT)
Duration: 
Pre-Course Study (50 hours) + 5-Day Course (60 hours)
= Total 110 hours
Recommended for:
  All public safety personnel responsible for rescue or response in swiftwater or flooding situations.

Prerequisites:

  • Sponsorship by a public safety agency
  • 21 years of age
  • Graduate of a basic Swiftwater rescue program
  • Swiftwater II certification from Dive Rescue International within 3 years of initial Swiftwater certification.
  • Current First Aid, EMT or Paramedic certification
  • Current CPR certification
Training Calendar & Map
Course Registration Form

Overview

Using Swiftwater Rescue Student Kits, Trainers are able to present this course to all personnel, upgrading department response capabilities.

Standardization of rescue techniques within response organizations increases effectiveness in the rescue of victims. Swiftwater and flood situations represent some of the most dangerous response scenarios. Dive Rescue International’s Swiftwater Rescue Trainer program is designed to give Trainers a practical and efficient system to build competent and safe swiftwater rescue teams. Successful Trainers return to their department with a complete training system that upgrades department capabilities. This program allows the Swiftwater Rescue Trainer to teach the Swiftwater I and II programs to in-house personnel for the price of student kits from Dive Rescue International. This program requires an application prior to registration.

Course Topics

  • Swiftwater orientation
  • Hazard awareness
  • Preplanning
  • Fundamental rescue techniques
  • Technical rescue systems
  • General patient care
  • Characteristics of moving water
  • Human body in water
  • Safety considerations
  • Scene Evaluation
  • Establishing operational objectives
  • Search tactics
  • Field Excercises
  • Knots and rigging

Note To Applicants
This program is designed for personnel who are physically fit. Participants are encouraged to participate after successfully completing the IADRS Watermanship Test or testing to a fitness level of 13 MET (Metabolic Equivalents) or greater. Participants with aerobic fitness questions or concerns should consult their physician prior to in-water training.