Swiftwater Rescue Technician Training on the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers

It's a theme of the program:  there is no substitute for experience.  This past week, students were wading off of snow-covered river banks into ice-cold water to learn how to be an effective rescuer (and not a patient!) in a fast-moving river.  During this time, they earned their Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) certifications, which are the industry standard for the river-guiding and rescue industry.   Skills acquired included assessment of river hazards, establishing safety during river rescues, swimming in cold, fast-moving water, acting as live-bait (swimming out to rescue an unresponsive or otherwise incapacitated person), setting up and using pulleys and ropes (Z-drag systems) to pull objects like rafts and kayaks out of jams, and using throw-bags to get a safety rope to a conscious swimmer.  This is now our last weekend, with students completing their emergency room observations and ambulance ride-alongs.  The program ends on Saturday, with National and State testing on Sunday.  This is an amazingly skilled and motivated group that we expect will do exceptionally well.