Water Rescue Courses at NOC

Swiftwater and Whitewater Rescue Training

NOC offers swiftwater and whitewater rescue training for paddling enthusiasts, professional first responders and professional river guides.  By teaching from the framework of Rescue 3 International, and by utilizing NOC's best river guides and Rescue Instructors Group instructors, we are able to offer the highest-quality swiftwater rescue training available. 

Courses are all-inclusive at NOC's Nantahala River campus and offer on-site shared cabin lodging, meals, course materials and instruction. Download the complete course calendar here.

Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT1)

The SRT1 course teaches the fundamentals of survival in moving water and is recommended for anyone who may perform in-water rescues.  Students gain knowledge in hydrology and river classifications, situation size-up, site control and scene management.  Practical skills include self-rescue, swiftwater swimming and the fundamentals of shore, boat and in-water rescues.  Additionally, students are introduced to the basics of boat handling and the fundamentals of rope rescue including mechanical advantage and anchor systems.

Swiftwater Rescue Technician Advanced (SRTA)

This course combines techniques learned in SRT1 with high-angle skills, taking the students beyond the emphasis on self-rescue to concentrate on victim rescue.  Students are exposed to more complex water rescue situations including mock night river rescue scenarios.  The three-day course includes four to six hours of classroom instruction, followed by two and one-half days of hands-on skill development.  Students are introduced to various skills in river and flood rescue, including rope systems, management of litter and patient raising systems, highline systems, advanced river search concepts, and performing rescues at night or in low-visibility and basic flood disaster management.

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.  Practical skills include self-rescue, swiftwater swimming and the fundamentals of shore, boat, and in-water rescues, all with an emphasis on speedy, low-tech and improvised rescue techniques that are effective and require minimal equipment.

Whitewater Rescue Technician 2 (WRT2)

This course concentrates on further developing advanced water rescue skills, including managing the rescue scene, litter management and the utilization of teams.  Students also learn to incorporate ropes in their rescue scenarios and go through an entrapment drill.  There is also a mock night rescue scenario.

Contact Us

Contact our reservations team at 888.905.7238 today to book your next water rescue course! You can view the complete 2013 calendar here.