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Women’s Specific PRO-I Swiftwater | Missoula, MT May 16 – 17, 2026
COURSE DETAILS
Join our Women’s Specific Swiftwater Rescue Certification course in Missoula, MT. This PRO-level course is designed for those ladies needing certification for employment, such as professional guides or field based personnel. Additionally, it’s open to recreational river users who wish to train at a faster pace, designed for the PRO track. You must already have intermediate to advanced skills in river flow mechanics, swimming, and terminology. If you don’t have prior swiftwater training, consider the REC-I course, which is better suited for beginners and moving at more of a moderate pace. We will conduct a practical exam on day one, and students must demonstrate proficiency to continue. Learn more about our Swiftwater Rescue Certification course and the curriculum designed for commercial guides and outdoor professionals.
COURSE DETAILS
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR: This course targets professional women wishing to pursue the PRO track. It’s ideal for commercial river guides, SAR members, technical rescue team members, and others looking to advance their swiftwater rescue skills.
ONLINE COMPONENT: Yes – Required
NFPA 1006 & 2500 COMPLIANT: No
COURSE FORMAT: This is a 2-day PRO-I course, with 2 hours of online training required before the course start. The in-field training spans 8 hours each day, totaling 18 hours of class time.
WHEN: May 16-17, 2026
WHERE: Missoula, MT
FIELD SITE: Blackfoot River
INSTRUCTOR: Libby Tobey & Sarah Kilbourne
WOMEN’S PREREQUISITES:
- Proficient swimmer
- Physically capable
- Desire to learn
- Pass online training with a minimum 80%
- All of the necessary PPE
- Meet all Essential Eligibility Criteria
GEAR FOR THIS COURSE:
The welcome packet provides details about the gear you will need. As an SSI student, you can access student pricing in the SSI Gear Shop! Once you register you’ll have access to the shop through your SSI account.
ABOUT THIS COURSE:
The Swiftwater Rescue Certification Course is designed for those requiring certification for employment, such as professional river guides and other professionals. This course teaches rescue techniques, focusing on limited resources in various river settings. It meets the needs of professional river guides, USFS, NPS, Search and Rescue teams, field biologists, and BLM employees. Additionally, the course is open to recreational river users wishing to train on the PRO track and gain access to the PRO-II course, not available through the REC track.
The Swiftwater Rescue Certification course focuses on personal safety, decision-making, risk management, and problem-solving in a team environment with limited resources and communication with outside parties. This course is tailored for varying skill levels. Whether you’re a professional guide or a seasonal contractor, you’ll benefit from the rescue techniques and concepts covered in this course.