Questions: River Safety & Rescue /Swiftwater Rescue

Posted on Posted in Announcement, Officer Report, Safety

I have received numerous messages about L3 River Safety and Rescue(RSR) and L4 Swiftwater Rescue (SWR) since I posted the dates for the courses coming up.  I know most people do not understand the difference or which one they need as I truly didn’t understand the difference until I took over this position and start planning for courses.  I also know that a large number of the members have not had the opportunity to attend any course since you started paddling due to the lack of availability, especially last year due to Covid 19.  These are things that I intend to fix by offering as many classes as we can fill as a club.

All of this is generally speaking because ACA offers an outline but it is up to that instructor’s discretion on how much time is spent on each subject due to time constraints.  You can also read more about all of this to include a complete outline of each course under the Swiftwater Rescue tab in the Safety page.

Generally speaking L3 RSR will cover all the basic safety and rescue methods and topics but will focus heavily on the basics such as Swimming, Wading, Throw Ropes, and Boat based rescues/boat plowing.  It will usually be 1 full day and most of the day will be spent on the water.

Generally speaking L4 SWR will cover more complex safety and rescue methods and topics and will spend less time focusing on teaching swimming and basic wading.  The L4 also teaches the quick release belt on the Rescue PFD and the Z Drag along with other more complex rescue methods.  The L4 will usually be 2 days to 2 1/2 days long.

It is not a requirement to attend a L3 RSR prior to attending a L4 SWR.  With that being said, if you do attend the L4 SWR course without any prior classes, ensure you review and know all the items listed in the L3 outline as it will greatly help you to gain the most out of your course.  Also ensure you follow any “homework” your instructor(s) give you prior to the course such as watching the R3 Rescue for River Runner videos or knowing your knots.  Remember you can never know too much and attending both can only make you a better paddler and help you and your fellow paddlers out.

Hopefully this along with the updated descriptions on the Safety page help you all to better understand the difference and requirements but please let me know if you still have questions.

Thank you

William Holman

Safety Chair