ACA Level 3 River Safety & Rescue Instructor Certification Course - 3 Days

This is for you if: You want to become certified to instruct safety and rescue on waterways rated up to class 2.

Do you want to learn how to teach others to be safer on the water while also becoming better prepared to lead a rescue when things don't go as planned? The ACA River Safety and Rescue Instructor Course (Level 3) will help you get there by training you how to teach recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress on rivers rated up to class 2.  Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills.  Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments and pins, also are taught.  Instructor classes review and polish fundamental paddling and rescue skills for instructor candidates, as well as present methods to teach and improve skills. Instructor candidates receive instruction and feedback on teaching methods, rescue skills, group management, paddling skills, and risk management principles. This course is aimed at anyone who plays a leadership or safety role on the water, whether formally or informally, and who wants to help others learn to be safer. Accordingly, candidates should possess a basic level of padding ability coming into the class. Basic rescue experience is helpful but not required.
 
The River Safety and Rescue Instructor Course is led by ACA Level 5 Rescue IT Scott Fisher.  The course is 3 days plus an evening online session in length in a combined ICE/IDW format. Dates for 2023 are:

• There are currently no scheduled classes for 2023
• Class times are 8:30am-6pm each day
• Mandatory livestream held the Wed evening prior to class from 6-8:30 PM

The IDW, or Instructor Development Workshop, will focus on teaching principles, risk management, rescue and paddling skills, class management, equipment, water hazards and hydrology, and scene management.  The ICE, or Instructor Certification Exam, will evaluate candidates' knowledge and ability to teach these skills.  Candidates should expect lots of feedback and should be willing to try new techniques and approaches.  To receive certification, candidates will be evaluated on their rescue, paddling, teaching, and group management skills.  Each of these areas is important – rescue skills are critical but they’re only part of the overall picture.  More details on the ACA certification process can be found here.  Specific eligibility criteria and performance requirements for level 3 river safety and rescue instructor certification can be found here. At the end of the course participants may be certified as level 3 rescue instructors, certified at a lower level, or not certified.  All candidates will receive written feedback on areas for improvement and, if they don’t receive the certification level they’re looking for, clear guidance on needed next steps for level 3 certification. Certification is valid for four years and maintained through class reporting and participation in periodic updates.

This course can be used as an update for current L2-3 rescue instructors in good standing by attending the first two days of class. This meets the ACA requirement to participate in an update every 4 years in order to maintain certification (ACA guidelines can be found here). Instructors should be prepared to teach any portion of the L3 water safety and rescue curriculum. Upon successful completion instructors receive update credit good for 4 years. Cost is $300. To schedule contact us at info@nolilearn.org or 423-641-0100.

This course can also be used for an instructor upgrade for current ACA certified L2 rescue instructors in good standing looking to upgrade to L3 certification by participating in the final two days of class. Instructors seeking such an upgrade must meet all L3 performance criteria to be certified at that level. Cost is $300. To schedule contact us at info@nolilearn.org or 423-641-0100.

Highlights:

• 3 days of professionally-led instructor training 
• Preparing and coaching candidates to succeed 
• A supportive environment to learn and perform
• An evaluation process that is clearly communicated and fairly assessed 

2 Jones Branch Rd, Erwin, TN 37650, USA