ACA LEVEL 4
SWIFT WATER RESCUE CLASSES

Swift Water Rescue classes consist of 2-full days of instruction.  Upon completion and passing of this course you will receive an American Canoe Association Level 3 or 4 Swift Water Rescue Certification (Click on learn more below to be directed to the American Canoe Association Website).  This course will consist of lots of time in and out of the water and minimal time in the classroom.  After completing this course the student will have a set of knowledge and skills on how to perform basic rescues in Swiftwater Scenarios.  

Sample 2-day course itinerary:

Day 1:

-Intros & Rescue Theory

-Hydrology

-Entrapments & Hazards

-Swimming 

-Wading

-Throw bagging

-Knots

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Day 2:

-Rescue Scenarios

-Technical Rope Work

-Stabilization & Snag Lines

-Cinches, Tethered Swimmers

-Z-drags

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Required Gear:

-PFD (preferably Type V Rescue, but Type III works as well)

-Helmet

-Whistle

-Proper Footwear(closed toe shoes)

-Wetsuit/Drysuit

-Throwbag

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Essential Eligibility Requirements as defined by the American Canoe Association  (directly from the ACA Wesbite @americancanoe.org:

Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC): ACA courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria.

1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)

2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water

3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support

4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion

5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance

6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion

7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket*

8. Get on / off or in / out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*

9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft*

10. Remount or reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*

11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation*