expert
3 days (combination of online and hands-on training)
Participants should be in excellent physical condition with stamina and strength to perform demanding rescues in swift-moving water.
Master crucial swiftwater rescue skills with professional training in Riggins, Idaho. Join the PRO-1 course to enhance safety and decision-making on wild rivers.
Swiftwater Safety Institute
The PRO-I swiftwater rescue course offers professional-level training for river guides and rescue teams, focusing on safety, decision-making, and problem-solving in challenging environments. With a blend of online and hands-on field training, participants will master essential rescue techniques and earn an internationally recognized certification, enhancing their skills for real-world scenarios.
The PRO-I is a professional level swiftwater rescue course designed for those requiring certification as a term of employment in a professional capacity. This swiftwater course teaches rescue techniques with regard to limited resources in a variety of river settings. The PRO-I course meets the needs of professional river guides as well as USFS, NPS, Search and Rescue teams, Field Biologists and BLM employees. Additionally, this course is open to highly seasoned recreational river users wishing to train on the PRO track and have access to the PRO-II course not accessible through the REC track.
The PRO-I course focus is on personal safety, decision making, risk management and complex problem solving with other team members having limited rescue resources and communication with outside parties. This course is designed to meet varying student skill levels, and everyone from professional guides to seasonal contractors will benefit from the rescue techniques and concepts covered in this course. Self rescue and hazard avoidance and recognition are key components in this swiftwater course.
ONLINE MODULE: Yes, 2 hours of required online training.
MINIMUM AGE: 16 with parental consent – 15 with a parent also participating
CERTIFICATION: Up to 3 years
NEXT CLASS: PRO-II
PREREQUISITES:
The PRO-I will be delivered in a 2 day, 18 hour format. You are required to complete your online training prior to the field training with SSI. Days 1 and 2 will be spent in the water working on rescue concept evolutions. The PRO-I requires the student to understand key components in the online training and show up in the field on day one (1) capable of constructing a 3:1 mechanical advantage system, simple shore anchor, and a 2-point self equalizing boat anchor on their own (direction provided in online modules).
Upon registration and payment, you will be automatically enrolled in the online training and have immediate access.
Each module will be followed by a module exam, and you will be able to retake each exam as many times as necessary. You must pass each exam with a minimum score of 80% in order to gain access to the next module. You can start and stop at any time and your progress will be saved. This is how SSI eliminates the formal classroom component, yet still provides you with the training necessary to train at the professional level.
For a 2 day PRO-I, expect to meet at a pre-determined course site on morning one (1) and be presented with the student field manual and all necessary course paperwork. You will be required to construct a simple 3:1 mechanical advantage system, simple shore anchor, and a 2-point self equalizing boat anchor as a means to test into this program. All of this in preparation for two (2) days that will involve a heavy hands-on approach with focus on training in the river and rapidly building your skill-set.
After you have successfully completed the online training and passed with an average score of no less than 80%, you will be allowed to attend the field training portion. There will be no further written examination in this PRO-I training, however you will have to satisfy practical evaluations throughout your time in the field. These are required components for the certification of a PRO-I course.
Internationally recognized 3 year Swiftwater Rescue Training (PRO-I ) Certification of Course Completion – with satisfactory practical and written skills evaluations. On occasion, it may be deemed by your instructor that a one or two year certification is more appropriate based on practical skills evaluations. This will be outlined in the SSI Core Competencies evaluation and clearly explained to the student.
Always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) during all training sessions on the water.
River flow can change rapidly; stay alert and listen to instructors’ briefings before entering the water.
Swiftwater training is physically demanding, so pack sufficient water and energy-rich snacks to maintain stamina.
Wear moisture-wicking, quick-drying attire and avoid cotton to stay comfortable throughout water exercises.
Riggins has been historically important as a river town tied to early Native American trade routes and later river-based commerce.
Wild River Adventures promotes Leave No Trace principles and works with local agencies to maintain river health and protect aquatic habitats.
A high-quality rescue-specific PFD is critical for safety during all water training exercises.
Protect your head from impacts on rocks or debris during swiftwater maneuvers.
Wear proper thermal protection to maintain body warmth in cold river conditions.
spring|fall|winter specific
Lightweight, moisture-wicking layers keep you comfortable during warmer water training.
summer specific