Swiftwater Rescue Courses - FAQ's Answered

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Training Location / Meeting point?

In order for us to run out courses, we require a suitable section of moving water. For this reason we base our courses in the Austrian Alps where we are guaranteed good water level throughout the summer. The training location for each course in stated in the course calendar. After booking onto a course we will email you details for the course including the exact meeting point. Private Group courses can request a training location of their choice, providing that there is a suitable section of moving water onsite.

Personal Equipment ?

You will need to bring with you: personal protective equipment for use on the river inc. PFD (Lifejacket), Whitewater Helmet, wetsuit / Drysuit, Throwbag and Knife. Best to bring too much warm clothing as too little!

On a WRT Course you will also need: whitewater kayak with airbags, Paddle, Spraydeck, Rescue equipment (Karabiner, Sing etc.) as well as a first aid kit.

A neoprene hat /hood can also be a good idea. Alpine rivers are filled with ice cold melt water - and so are in summer colder as expected. Warm and dry clothes for the practical sessions on the river bank, as well as having enough food and water are important so that concentration levels are maintained though out the course.

Lesson Times ?

We run challenging, highly informative and demanding training courses. Lesson times run daily from 08.30hrs till 18.30hrs. The first half day consists of various theoretical seminars and presentations. The rest of the course consists of sessions in the river or on the river bank.

Between lessons are sufficient breaks planned including a lunch break of 45minutes.

Preparation for the course ?

We are often asked by students if they could be sent the manual before the course so that they can better prepare for it. In our view a better use of your time in preparation would be:

Practice your knots: Figure 8, Clove Hitch, Italian Hitch, Overhand, Butterfly & 3 wrap Prussik knot.

Practice your throwbag skills: As precise as possible over 15 - 20m

Practice your Swimming Skills: Front crawl, short distances - but fast!

Through practicing these 3 skills a student will have a much easier time on a swiftwater rescue training course and be in situation where they can learn new advanced techniques without having to concentrate on basic skills.