ACA Swiftwater Rescue Clinic
$450 per person for 3 day course
This clinic is designed for all kayakers, canoeist, rafters and duckie captains. Clinics are offered primarily out of Dotsero, Colorado, although we offer tailored classes to groups upon request and varying locations.
Somewhere, at some time you will wish you knew what to do in a river emergency. Just rescuing gear can turn into a nightmare, never mind rescuing a person. Quick response time and the knowledge to set up a rescue safely are skills you should have as a boater. Make this the year to bring your rescue skills to a higher level. Friends owe it to friends to be capable of river rescue.
Many companies offer this course in 2 days. What we have found over the years is that participants always want more time practicing skills. By creating a 3 day course for the price of 2 days, CRS is able to offer you additional time with hands on training alongside professional instructors.
Participants must be comfortable swimming in Class II-III water. Rescue life jackets are considered personal equipment and are highly recommended. This clinic qualifies as an ACA sanctioned course. Upon successful completion of activities, participants will be awarded a successful completion of ACA level 2-4 swiftwater rescue.
**Day 1**
- Intros, Expectations, and Logistics
- Personal Preparation
- The Paddling Environment
- Rescue Strategy
- Personal Paddling Equipment (PPE)
- Hydrology
- WORMS
- Wading
- Swimming
- Throw Bagging
- Tethered Swimmer
- Line Ferries
**Day 2**
- Line Crossings
- Entrapments
- Stabilization Lines
- Snag Lines
- Cinches
- V-lower
**Day 3**
- Pins
- Knots
- Anchors
- Mechanical Advantages
- Boat-based rescue techniques
- Scenarios
- Additional skill practice
# Note: This clinic will be customized based on river features, water levels, and students needs and skills.
Additional Information
Please bring the following IF YOU ALREADY OWN IT. We will cover equipment and and what equipment works best for different environments. Consequently, if you do not own the equipment below, please wait until after the course to purchase it.
- Throw Bag (1 or more) At least 60’
- Carabineers (4 or more) At least 1 locking and wire gates recommended if you only have non locking
- Prussic Loop (3 or more) 1/3 diameter cordelette 15” or 3 premade prussics in different lengths
- 1" Tubular Webbing (1-8’ and 1-20’)
___________________________________
## Optional Items
- Dry suit – Highly Recommended, particularly for early or late season classes
- Rescue PFD w/tether – recommended but not required
- Pulley (1 or more)
- First Aid Kit (contents based on your training and remoteness of trip)
- Please bring anything you normally use or have invented
- Rescue books and knot books that you like
- Harness
- Breakdown Paddle (not everyone needs a spare paddle)
- Quick Air
- Static Line
- Light