REC-I Swiftwater Safety Course Missoula June 8 – 9, 2024

COURSE OVERVIEW:
We designed this REC-I swiftwater safety course primarily for recreational river users who wish to gain experience around moving water. SSI frames the REC-I course around participants’ desires for training and guide novice students through the process of risk management and decision making in a swiftwater setting. We have tailored this swiftwater safety course for recreational enthusiasts with varied experience levels.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Libby Tobey, SSI lead instructor, will teach the course, and space is limited to 16 students.

AUDIENCE: Recreational boaters wanting to expand their knowledge on river rescue and risk management.

COURSE DETAILS:

• June 8 – 9, 2024
• Missoula, MT
• Blackfoot River
• 2 day swiftwater safety course with 2 hours of online training prior to start date. 8 hours each day of in-field training. Total class length: 18hrs.
  There is an online training component which is optional but highly recommended

GEAR AND PREPARATION:

PREREQUISITES

1. Proficient swimmer

2. Physically capable

3. Desire to learn

4. Pass online training with a minimum 80%

5. All of the necessary PPE

6. Meet all Essential Eligibility Criteria

GEAR FOR THIS COURSE:
The welcome packet details the gear you will need for this course. As an SSI student, you get access to student pricing in the SSI Gear Shop! Once you register you’ll have access to the shop through your SSI account.

ABOUT THE COURSE:

We frame this swiftwater safety course around participants’ desires for training, taking everyone from novice to advanced students through the process of risk management and decision making in a swiftwater setting. We will not expand on physics and technical load distribution concepts, but we do typically have time to run through some very basic mechanical advantage concepts to frame the idea. We don’t get into advanced level rigging concepts in either of the REC-I or PRO-I swiftwater safety courses, but direct our efforts at the fundamental skills necessary to be competent and thoughtful in a variety of river rescue settings. The REC-I course is suitable for a wide range of skill-sets and a must have course for those wishing to advance skills.