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River Rescue Clinic

River Safety and Rescue Class

We're excited to share that Don Martin from River Recreation provide our River Safety and Rescue Training class for the third consecutive year! 

Meeting location and time will be provided via email the night prior to class. Potential locations include the NF Skykomish River in Index, the Green River at Kanaksat-Palmer, and possibly the Cedar River gates at Landsburg (Maple Valley).

General Admin 
There will be lots of standing around and multiple river swims, so please ensure you dress appropriately; a drysuit is mandatory, as well as full PPE. Bring lunch, snacks, hot drinks and plenty of water to stay hydrated.


We would appreciate your feedback after the course as this enables us to continue to tweak future course content and delivery to ensure your needs are met. 


Don Martin has been involved in whitewater rafting and kayaking for 30 years, is a level 4 American Canoe Association river rescue instructor, and has rafted and kayaked rivers from Alaska to Peru and everywhere in between.  Don currently owns River Recreation, a commercial rafting company in Monitor, Washington, the only factory-authorized repair facility of Aire inflatables in Washington state.  

This class is great for a beginning whitewater kayaker, or a paddler looking to tune up some rescue skill basics.

The required minimum number of students is 6. 

Course Topics:
The course will prioritize life saving techniques.  The focus will be on rescue equipment typically carried whilst on the river, and how it should be used in a rescue situation. 

  1. Hazard avoidance and recognition
  2. Swimming in rivers and rapids
  3. Rescue priorities
  4. Risk assessment
  5. Self-rescue / group rescue priorities
  6. Throw bags
  7. Contact rescues
  8. Foot entrapment drill
  9. Shallow water crossings
  10. Incident emergency assessment and mitigation.
  11. Hypothermia

Options if time permits:

Medical conditions and other valuable topics.

Bring:

All rescue gear you carry in your kayak (throw rope, carabiners, pulley, prusik loop, webbing, etc.)

Lunch. Please dress warmly.

Cost:
WKC's 2024 member price is $139, which is a $10 discount.


River education, knots you should be familiar with:
To assist during rescue situations, paddlers should be able to confidently tie water, figure of 8, bowline and prusik knots. For your assistance, we have created and attached a 'knots/anchor/belay how to' document.  Click on the buttons below and be sure you are ready for class..

WKC WW Rescue Course - Knots and Anchors   
WKC WW Rescue Course - Z-drag and Vector 


Once you have completed your trip, contact WKC Safety Chair.

Aaron

Slideshow
WKC Swiftwater Rescue Course

  
 
 
When:
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada) (UTC-08:00)
Where:
River TDB the night before class
WA  
Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Renee C Paradis
Event contact
 
Aaron McLaughlin
WW Safety Chair
Category:
Safety
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
Drysuit and full PPE is required. Dress warmly. Bring lunch, snacks, hot beverage, water, and the rescue equipment you carry in your kayak.
Cancellation Policy:
Once your clinic registration is confirmed, all fees are non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot on the roster, from the waitlist, we will refund your clinic registration fees only, minus processing fees.

If we are unable to meet the minimum required to hold class, 100% of your fee will be refunded.
Capacity:
12
Available Slots:
10
$139.00

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