Advanced Swiftwater Rescue

Katahdin Rescue’s Advanced Swiftwater Rescue courses are dynamic, hands-on, and catered to Maine’s conditions: seasonal realities, cold water, remote access, and local trip patterns. Complex scenarios and skills development aim to challenge participants in critical judgment, advanced rescue skills, and intensive rescue strategy and scene management. Participants will be required to demonstrate swimming, throw bagging, and rope rigging skills. These courses are aimed at Maine whitewater trip leaders and Class 4-5 kayakers and kayak instructors.

Katahdin Rescue’s Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Courses align with both Sierra Rescue’s River Rescue Certification Professional and American Canoe Association’s Level 5: Advanced Swiftwater Rescue curricula. Participants who complete this course will receive a Sierra Rescue RRC PRO certification, which is recognized worldwide, and an American Canoe Association participation card.

Katahdin Rescue emphasizes context-built delivery in our instruction. Advanced Swiftwater Rescue courses may be tailored to various watercraft (rafts, kayaks, canoes), trip types (day trips or expeditions), and participant groups. Complete the pre-course customization survey here and let us know how we can best cater to your needs.

Who should take a Swiftwater Rescue Course?

Advanced Swiftwater Rescue courses are designed for river professionals and river enthusiasts who lead trips on Maine’s more challenging rivers and streams.

  • Whitewater Rafting Trip Leaders
  • Class 4-5 Kayakers
  • Whitewater Kayak Instructors

Before taking this course, participants must have completed an ACA, Sierra Rescue, or equivalent swiftwater rescue course within the past 3 years.

General Information

Topics Covered
  • Preparation
    • Personal Protective Equipment
      • Specifically, Type 5 Rescue PFDs wth Quick Release Harness System
    • Personal Rescue Equipment
      • Minimum: Knife, Whistle, Throw Rope, 4 Locking Carabiners, 3 Pulleys, 2 Prusik Loops, 1 Piece of One Inch Tubular Webbing
    • The Paddling Environment
      • River Features and Hydrology
      • Weather Conditions and Forecasts
      • River Levels
      • Effective Scouting
    • Risk Assessment – Hazards and Group Assessment
    • River Signals and Communications
    • Rescue Strategies and Scene Management
      • Rescue Roles
      • Phases of Rescue
      • Rescue Priorities
  • Skills
    • Wading/Shallow Water Crossing
    • Swimming
      • Defensive vs. Aggressive Techniques
      • Swimming Through Features (Holes, Eddies, Waves, Strainers)
      • Ferying
      • Swiftwater Entries
    • Throw Bags
      • Rope Management and Safety
      • Throwing and Recovery Zones
      • Split Bag Toss
      • Coils and Butterflies
      • Multiple Swimmers
      • Belay Techniques
      • Pendulum Use for Crossing Current
      • Line Ferrying Techniques
    • Contact Rescues
    • Tethered Rescues – Quick Release Rescue Harness
    • Rigging
      • Knots, Hitches, and Anchors
      • Mechanical Advantage
    • Advanced Principles of Ropes in River Rescue
      • Advanced Tethered Rescue Swimmer Techniques
        • V Lower
        • Tension Diagonal
        • Hole/hydraulic Rescue
      • Cinches
      • Stabilization Lines
  • Scenarios
    • Foot Entrapment
    • Craft Pins and Wraps
    • Craft Flips
    • Missing Person(s)
  • Skills Testing
    • Access and Assessment Skills
    • Stabilization of a Scene
    • Swimming
    • Craft Rescue
    • Throw Bagging
    • Basic Technical Rope Skills
    • Operating as Part of a Team
    • Knots
    • Anchors
    • Raft Flip Drills or Kayak Rescue
    • Safety Talk
  • Option for Night Operation (For Groups with Expedition-Style Trips)
Learning Outcomes
  • Increase knowledge of the river environment in order to make better decisions regarding group and risk management on the river
  • Reinforce rescue skills, including swimming/self-rescue, throw ropes, and craft-based rescue
  • Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
  • Refine critical judgment in a river environment
  • Get extensive hands-on practice with scenarios on the river
  • Understand your limits, skill level, and knowledge
Course Expectations
  • Participants arrive with a basic foundation of knowledge and skills of swiftwater rescue
  • Daily schedule: typically 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Mandatory attendance each day
  • Participants should be dressed appropriately for weather and water temperature, prepared to be in the water for extended periods of time.
Packing List

If you are missing any of the gear listed below, contact Katahdin Rescue. We can provide gear or point you towards gear rentals if needed.

  • PFD: Type 3 or Type 5 (fit properly and in good condition) with whistle and knife
  • Helmet: whitewater helmet
  • Throw bag
  • Rescue gear: at least 2 locking carabiners and a 15’+ piece of one inch tubular webbing
  • Footwear: hard-soled wetsuit booties or good shoes for walking in the river and on the banks with wool or neoprene socks
  • Thermal protection:
    • Drysuit or wetsuit
    • Base layers and insulation – wool or synthetic materials (fleece, polyester, neoprene, etc.) to wear with your wetsuit or drysuit
    • Hat
  • Extra warm clothes
  • Snacks, water, and lunch
  • Sunscreen
  • Optional:
    • Neoprene gloves
    • Sunglasses or prescription glasses with strap
    • Additional personal rescue gear (optional but it is good to practice with your own gear!)

Inquire about our Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Courses

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