The North Carolina Technical Rescuer Water Rescue series is comprised of four modules offered over a two-weekend series that enables the student to obtain the requirements needed to obtain full IFSAC certification for water rescue. (in addition to fulfilling the requirements for TR General and Rope Rescue). Completion of the TR General & TR Rope techncian is not required for attendance but strongly recommended as certification will not bawarded to the student until all requirements for TR Water rescue are fulfilled.

The OSFM TR Water Rescue series is a 44-hour series specifically designed to fulfill the NFPA 1006 MINIMUM Job performance requirements (JPR’s) for those agencies who have the responsibility of surface and swiftwater rescue responses.

This a general knowledge course with minimum skill performance. It is considered a general overview of all water rescue problems and does not provide enough practical time in swiftwater environments to be proficient for swiftwater rescue teams. It is strongly recommended Swiftwater Rescue Teams obtain additional training..

Upon successful completion of a skills assessment swim test, students will receive training in areas that include:

• Rescue Operations
• Equipment needs
• Site surveys
• Preplanning
• Rescue techniques
• Rescue Swimming
• Self Survival Techniques
• Air & Ground Transportation
• Boat-Based Rescues
• Water Rescue Craft Operations
• Strong Swimmer Rescues
• Managing Search Operations

This is a physically and mentally challenging course! Those students with phobias of swimming class I & II rapids, extremely cold water, or extensive health problems (heart, trauma, respiratory…) are discouraged from attending this course!

The Water Technical Rescuer candidate shall correctly demonstrate the ability to assume a correct swimming posture and swim for 100 yards and tread water for ten minutes in an aquatic environment both without and with floatation devices. This exerciseis a two-part exercise that demonstrates a candidate’s ability to swim and maintain their safety without the aid of any devices as well as demonstrate the difference in swimming with a device. Successful completion of these skills is necessary to complete this class.

Skills acquired within the course include:

• Rescuing and extricating an accident victim from the water.
• Safely swimming in swiftwater and maneuvering so as to negotiate river hazards and obstacles at various water levels.
• Handling small inflatable boats by paddle, or on tether.
• Utilizing climbing and technical rescue gear applicable to swiftwater rescue.
• Fording shallow and fast-moving water utilizing various techniques.
• Navigating deep, slow-moving and fast-moving water utilizing basic climbing gear, small boats, and combinations of the two.