Swiftwater Rescue Technician Level 2

Rivers are dynamic, powerful environments that demand knowledge, preparation, and good decision-making. Whether you're working, responding to emergencies, fishing, boating, hunting, or exploring British Columbia's waterways, swiftwater training provides the skills needed to recognize hazards, reduce risk, and respond effectively when things don't go as planned.

OVERhang delivers Rescue Canada Swiftwater Safety & Rescue training throughout Northern and Central British Columbia. These internationally recognized courses combine online learning with practical, hands-on river training to develop the skills, confidence, and judgment required to safely operate in and around moving water.

Register well in advance to guarantee your spot. Participants requiring equipment rentals should provide sizing information upon registration.

Swiftwater Safety Rescue Level 2: Operations

$550 + GST

The Swiftwater Safety Rescue Level 2: Operations course is the industry standard for occupational workers, resource management personnel, outdoor professionals, and many emergency responders operating in low-risk moving water environments.

Designed for those who work, travel, or recreate around rivers and streams, this course provides the practical skills and knowledge required to safely assess hazards, avoid incidents, and respond effectively when emergencies occur.

Participants will develop competency in:

• River hazard recognition and risk assessment
• Self-rescue techniques
• Companion rescue techniques
• Entrapment awareness and prevention
• Swiftwater swimming and defensive swimming
• Safe wading techniques
• Throw bag deployment and rescue
• Basic rescue systems and equipment use
• River-based practical scenarios

This course focuses on operating safely in low-risk and shore-based environments while building a strong foundation for future swiftwater rescue training.

PPE Rental: $235 + GST

Swiftwater Safety Rescue Level 3: Technician

$650 + GST

Level 2 plus Subject Rescue, Rescue Swimming, and Rescue Systems

The Swiftwater Safety Rescue Level 3: Technician course is intended for individuals who may be required to perform in-water rescues or operate in medium- to high-risk moving water environments.

Building upon the skills developed in Level 2, participants learn advanced rescue techniques, rescue swimming, subject rescue, and increasingly complex rescue systems. This course emphasizes third-party rescues, technical rope systems, teamwork, and decision-making in challenging river environments.

Participants will develop competency in:

• Rescue swimming techniques
• Contact and non-contact rescues
• Subject rescue operations
• Horizontal rope systems in moving water
• Advanced rescue systems
• Team-based rescue operations
• Technical rescue decision-making
• Scenario-based rescue training
• Operations in Class II-III whitewater environments
• Swimming in moving water, performing rescues, building rescue systems, and participating in realistic rescue scenarios form the core of this advanced training program.

All Rescue Canada swiftwater courses include a mandatory online learning component that must be completed before attending the practical portion of the course. Most participants require approximately 3-4 hours to complete the online training.

Private courses are available for companies, municipalities, emergency services, government agencies, resource sector organizations, and response teams throughout British Columbia.

Contact us for a customized quote.