ACA Swiftwater Rescue Refresher

USA Raft & Lower Nolichucky River

FROM:$150.00

Months of Operation:

March-October

Duration:

1 Day (10 hours)

Begins:

8 AM

Age Requirements:

Age 14+
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Overview & Highlights

If you’ve already taken a Swiftwater Rescue Course (ACA L4 or equivalent) and want to review and practice the skills that you previously learned without committing to the full course again then this one-day refresher is an excellent option. Rescue skills are perishable and most are not used regularly enough to retain proficiency unless actively revisited from time to time. One of our ACA certified Swiftwater Rescue instructors will lead a review of all the major topics found within the 2-day basic course with an emphasis on the more technical skills. Topics include accident prevention, non-technical and technical rescues, scene management and a variety of other practical techniques and applications that will help keep you and others safe. 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. Lastly, scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.

Previous successful completion of an ACA or equivalent Swiftwater Rescue Course is required. Our refresher courses are often scheduled just prior to our advanced swiftwater rescue courses - Downriver Scenarios and Advanced Techniques - for those interested in both further entrenching current skills and learning new skills. Lead instructor is ACA Advanced Swiftwater Rescue IT Scott Fisher, who has been teaching rescue for over 15 years.
Highlights:
  • Full day of dynamic swiftwater rescue training that is comprehensive, professional and fun
  • Review of a wide range of techniques and skills
  • Opportunity to lead and conduct rescues in simulated scenarios 
  • A supportive learning environment
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USA Raft & Lower Nolichucky River

2 Jones Branch Rd, Erwin, TN 37650, USA

Additional Information

  • What to Expect

    • Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and injuries
    • Review abd practice key self-rescue skills
    • Review hydrology, hazards, and river features
    • Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
    • Review and practice methods for recovering swimmers and loose boats and equipment
    • Review and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
    • Gain further experience using the rescue PFD, and understand its strengths and weaknesses
    • Utilize rescue scene management principles needed within a paddling group

  • Prerequisites

    • Age 14+
    • Previous completion of an ACA Level 4 swiftwater rescue course or equivalent
    • Good overall health and fitness
    • Solid swimming ability and comfortable swimming in moving water 
    • Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time

  • Includes

    • Full day of swiftwater rescue refresher training 
    • Use of rescue PFD if needed

  • What to Bring

    Helmet (must be specifically rated for whitewater), type III or V (rescue) PFD (consider a rescue PFD if you don’t already own one), throw rope (recommend 70-75 feet of 5/16- or 3/8-inch polypropylen or Spectra/Dyneema), two 12-20' lengths of 1-inch tubular nylon webbing, two 6-8' pieces of 5-6 millimeter nylon prusik cord, four oval-, pear-or “D”-shaped locking carabiners, paddle, closed-toe water shoes (no sandals, must cover the whole foot), river clothing suitable for the conditions (e.g., polypro or fleece upper and lower body, IR Thinskin or Thickskin, drytop, drysuit, wetsuit—we will be spending a lot of time in the water so err on the side of caution), sunscreen, rain jacket (weather dependent), gloves (optional), paddle craft (if you have one), craft-specific accessories as appropriate (e.g., sprayskirt, flotation bags, SUP leash, etc), camp chair, paper and pen to take notes, food, snacks, water

  • Meeting Location

    We will meet at USA Raft. Directions can be found here. Specific meeting location will be sent out separately.

  • Additional Information

    Food and  lodging are the responsibility of participants. Riverside lodging and camping is available onsite and can be reserved directly with either USA Raft  or Nolichucky Gorge Campground.

  • Testimonials

    "More than anything else, I appreciated Scott Fisher's professionalism and content knowledge. While this course's overall information can be gleaned through club days or occasional on-river practice, the NOLI set-up and delivery made the course much easier to understand, more thorough in details, and more memorable for possible employment. Because the seriousness of the topic, having a professional like Scott instruct created the right amount of gravitas and touch that the material warranted. I look forward to practicing the skills I gained and will continue to work with NOLI in future courses."

    ~ Scott H.

Policies & Agreements

  • Terms and conditions

    I certify that all registrants meet course prerequisites as defined in the course description, meet the minimum age requirements and do not have any medical conditions or limitations that would prevent their ability to safely participate in the activity.

  • Cancellation policy

    NOLI activities go rain or shine. If you cancel or decrease the number of participants in your party the following applies:

    Cancellations 30 or more days prior to your activity will receive a full refund.
    Cancellations 14-29 days prior to the activity date will receive a full reservation booking voucher.
    Cancellations 0-13 days prior to the activity date are not extended a refund or voucher.
    No Shows are not extended a refund or voucher.

Upcoming Dates & Availability

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