Packraft Specific Rescue Training
Professional rescue, paddling and limited-resource problem solving for remote river environments.
Use the craft as transportation—and as a rescue tool.
PSRT integrates swiftwater rescue fundamentals with packraft paddling, recovery and technical systems for teams operating far from conventional support.
Building on the PRO-I platform, the course develops practical judgment, adaptability and resourcefulness in wilderness environments. Participants learn to use packrafts as primary or secondary transportation and as versatile rescue craft when equipment, personnel and outside assistance are limited.
SSI developed this curriculum and has delivered packraft-specific rescue training to professional organizations since 2009.
Rescue systems designed around the packraft.
01
Paddling & Boat Control
Develop core strokes, boat scouting and practical control in moving water.
02
Self & Assisted Recovery
Practice swiftwater dry exits, self recovery, assisted recovery and rescue priorities.
03
Packraft Rescue Craft
Understand packraft limitations and advantages while using the boat to support effective rescues.
04
Swimming & Contact Rescue
Build moving-water comfort, throw-bag skills, contact rescue and foot-entrapment response.
05
Anchors & Horizontal Systems
Apply essential knots, simple anchors and basic technical rope systems in remote settings.
06
Limited-Resource Problem Solving
Assess emergencies, repair equipment in the field and solve rescue problems with available resources.
Bring the equipment and readiness to travel downstream.
- Packraft, paddle and all associated boating equipment
- Proficient swimmer and physically capable participant
- Minimum age 16 with parental consent
- All required Personal Protective Equipment
- Meet SSI’s Essential Eligibility Criteria
- Complete the required online training before field work
No previous packraft experience is required.
Familiarity with paddling improves the learning experience, but the course is open to motivated participants who meet the physical and equipment requirements.
Commercial guides, backcountry rangers, special-operations personnel, USAR teams, public-land agencies and experienced recreational paddlers all benefit from the course’s remote-environment focus.
Prepare online. Build boat control. Integrate rescue systems.
Before Field Training
Required Online Foundation
Complete approximately two hours of online instruction covering rescue concepts, risk management and course preparation.
Field Development
Craft Handling & Recovery
Develop paddling, swimming, dry-exit, boat-scouting, self-recovery and assisted-recovery skills in moving water.
Integrated Application
Remote Rescue Problems
Combine packraft rescue, rope systems, communication, field repair and limited-resource decision-making in practical scenarios.
Specialized training for remote river operations.
Developed through more than fifteen years of field experience.
SSI has delivered packraft-rescue training longer and more extensively than any other rescue-training provider in the field.
Past participants include U.S. Army Rangers, U.S. Navy PJs, Naval Special Warfare instructors, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Denali and Bandelier National Park personnel, USFS field scientists and BLM river patrol teams.
Additional course modules may include tethered rescue craft, rescue PFD use, tensioned and other integrated rescue applications.
Performance evaluated in writing and in the field.
Successful participants may earn SSI’s internationally recognized Packraft Specific Rescue Training Certificate of Course Completion.
Certification may be issued for one, two or three years based on satisfactory practical and written evaluations. The instructor documents the certification period through SSI Core Competencies evaluation and explains the outcome directly to each student.
Build rescue capability around the packraft.
View upcoming PSRT dates or talk with SSI about specialized training for your agency, guide team or organization.