Required PPE
USCG-approved Type III or V PFD with at least 15.5 lb (7 kg) flotation, whitewater helmet, accessible river knife and attached whistle. River-glove, rescue-PFD and throw-bag requirements vary by course. No bike or climbing helmets.
Read Your Welcome Packet
Required PPE
Footwear & Thermal Protection
Course-Specific Equipment
Required Personal Protective Equipment
Be a Pro. Arrive equipped.
Your Welcome Packet is the final authority for required PPE. Requirements vary by course, season and location. Review it before purchasing or packing equipment, and reference the course schedule for your specific course requirements.
01 · River PPE
What every water-course student needs.
Footwear
Secure closed-toe river shoes with a grippy sole. No Chacos or strap-style footwear. Shoes must remain secure while swimming and moving over uneven terrain.
Thermal Protection
Below 75°F (24°C): wetsuit required and drysuit preferred. Below 65°F (18°C): drysuit required. Shorts alone are never adequate. SSI may increase protection based on conditions; your Welcome Packet controls.
02 · Daily Field Kit
Click a card to view what to carry beyond your river PPE.
04
Technical & Rescue Gear
Course-specific carabiners, prusiks, pulleys, webbing and throw bags are listed below. Review your Welcome Packet. No non-locking carabiners.
05
Clothing & Daily Essentials
Bring warm synthetic layers, dry clothing, rainwear, hat, sunscreen, towel, food, water, medications and basic repair supplies.
06
What SSI Provides
SSI provides some supplemental rescue equipment, course materials, instruction and certification records. Supplemental equipment is not a substitute for your required personal gear.
Label personal equipment whenever practical. Instructors may reject any item they determine is unsafe, damaged or non-functional. Course-completion cards are emailed after the course is completed.
03 · Requirements by Water Course
Click your course to view its required equipment.
01
REC-I
Required: 2 locking carabiners (20 kN+); two traditional 6 mm prusiks; throw bag with 55 ft (16.8 m) of rope.
Recommended: 2 micro pulleys; waist throw bag; 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing.
02
PRO-I
Required: 2 locking carabiners (20 kN+); two 6 mm prusiks (one traditional); 2 micro pulleys; throw bag with 55 ft (16.8 m) of rope.
Recommended: Waist throw bag; 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing (17 kN).
03
PRO-II
Required: 3 locking carabiners (20 kN+); two 6 mm prusiks (one traditional); 2 micro pulleys; waist throw bag with 55 ft (16.8 m) of rope; 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing (17 kN).
04
PRO-SAR
Required: 3 locking carabiners (20 kN+); two 6 mm prusiks (one traditional); 2 micro pulleys; 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing (17 kN).
Recommended: Waist throw bag with 55 ft (16.8 m) of rope.
05
PSRT
Required: 2 locking carabiners (20 kN+); two 6 mm prusiks (one traditional); throw bag with 55 ft (16.8 m) of rope.
Recommended: Waist throw bag; 2 micro pulleys; 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing (17 kN).
06
Swiftwater Boat Operator
Required: River PPE; rescue craft; crew PFDs plus throwable; navigation lights; tool/repair kit; spare prop, filters and fuel; food and water.
Operations: Bring agency spare propulsion and arrive deployment-ready.
Your emailed Welcome Packet: Course location, season, water conditions and instructional objectives may create additional requirements. Contact SSI before purchasing gear if anything is unclear.
04 · Shared Technical Standards
Click a card to view equipment details.
01
Locking Carabiners
Bring locking carabiners rated 20 kN or higher. Non-locking models do not qualify.
02
6 mm Prusik Cord
Bring two 6 mm prusiks: 50 in (1.27 m) each, or 9 ft (2.75 m) uncut. At least one must be traditional.
03
Micro Pulleys
Bring compact prusik-minding pulleys where required. Confirm the quantity in your Welcome Packet.
04
1 Inch Tubular Webbing
Where listed, bring 12 ft (3.7 m) of 1-in (25 mm) tubular webbing rated to 17 kN.
05 · Rope Rescue PPE
Click a category to view the complete Rope Rescue list.
Your Rope Rescue Welcome Packet is the final authority. Bring the items below unless SSI provides different written instructions for your course.
01
Harness · Helmet · Gloves
Climbing sit harness and chest harness with connector strap, or a Type II harness; approved helmet; leather or rope-specific gloves; sturdy footwear; and weather-appropriate clothing.
02
Webbing · Cord · Prusiks
Bring 4 ft (1.2 m) and 12 ft (3.7 m) webbing; 10 m (32.8 ft) 8 mm cord; Purcell prusiks; one 63-in (1.6 m) and two VT prusiks.
03
Hardware · Personal Tools
Bring a tube-style belay device; mini prusik-minding pulley; 8 locking carabiners (20 kN+); personal knife.
04
Field Readiness
Bring lunch, snacks, drinking water, weather-ready clothing and a pack large enough for your personal equipment plus some group gear. Mark all personal equipment and keep it clean and organized.
SSI provides the group rescue equipment. This includes required hard and soft goods and the NFPA Position Task Book for NFPA 1006 Chapter 5 Rope Rescue job-performance requirements. Students must also be prepared to car camp and remain self-sufficient for the duration of training when stated in the Welcome Packet.
Recommended reference: Technical Rescue Riggers Guide by Rick Lipke.
Need equipment?
Prepare before arriving at the course.
Registered students can access discounted SSI equipment pricing. Drysuit rentals are available for many courses.