Swiftwater Rescue - 3 Day
Swiftwater Rescue - 3 Day
Join Our Women's Three-Day Swiftwater Safety & Rescue Clinic!
Held on the scenic Arkansas River near Salida, this women’s-only, hands-on clinic is designed for all skill levels—whether you're new to whitewater, a private boater, or an experienced commercial guide. Over the course of three days, you'll have the opportunity to build skills, gain confidence, and practice essential rescue techniques in a supportive and empowering environment.
What You’ll Learn:
Gain practical experience in assessing river conditions, making informed decisions, and responding to swiftwater rescue situations with confidence. The extended format allows for more in-depth instruction and additional practice to ensure both personal and group safety.
Topics Include:
River rescue techniques for real-world scenarios
Whitewater swimming and self-rescue skills
Effective throw bagging techniques
Planning for swiftwater situations
Extractions and synches for complex rescues
Mechanical advantage systems for efficient rescue operations
Advanced hazard recognition and mitigation strategies
Leadership and teamwork in rescue situations
This hands-on clinic provides ample time to practice skills in real river conditions under the guidance of experienced female instructors. The course emphasizes teamwork, communication, and maintaining composure under pressure—key components of effective rescue response.
Certification:
Upon successful completion, participants will receive an ACA Swiftwater Rescue (SWR) Certificate of Completion, a respected credential recognized by raft guides, river professionals, and outdoor educators.
Who Should Attend?
This clinic is perfect for women looking to develop or refine their river safety and rescue skills, whether they are new to swiftwater or seeking to enhance their existing knowledge.
Join us for three days of hands-on learning, skill-building, and camaraderie with a community of adventurous women committed to river safety!
Offered in 2025:
April 18 - 20
May 12 - 14
July 28 - 30
Select date below:
We offer both two-day and three-day Swiftwater Rescue training courses. Both options include the same core curriculum and cover the ACA Level 4 material. The three-day course provides additional time to explore mechanical advantage in greater depth, including the 3:1 (Z-Drag) system. It also features more hands-on scenarios to practice these skills and allows for a more paced progression through the material.
Course Overview: The Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental and more advanced techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Course Objectives:
Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and injuries.
Develop and practice key self-rescue skills.
Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features.
Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
Develop and practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment
Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
Gain experience using the rescue PFD, and understand its strengths and weaknesses
Utilize rescue scene management principles needed within a paddling group
Please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) and a basic gear list here.
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The core of the material is very much the same. Both the 2 day and 3 day classes meet the 16 hours as defined for a “L4” ACA swiftwater rescue course, and participants will receive a Proof of Completion Certificate.
The difference is that the 3 day allows us to spend more time on various aspects of practice including taking a much deeper dive into more complex mechanical advantage systems including the “Z-Drag.” Along with additional skills practice, the 3 day will also include more in-water scenarios to facilitate working a rescue as a team and to experience those skills in action.
Please call us at 719-398-1180 with any additional questions you might have.