Rescue 3 - Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician
  • Plas y Brenin
  • 4 Days
  • 8 People to 1 instructor

Rescue 3 - Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician

  • Paddle
  • -1
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Overview

This four-day programme provides comprehensive training in the principles and practical skills required for swiftwater and flood rescue operations. Participants will gain an understanding of water behaviour, hazard awareness, rescue planning, and incident management, alongside hands-on rescue techniques used in real operational scenarios. Note: this course will need to be revalidated every 3 years.

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The Objectives

This course is suitable for personnel who may be required to carry out rescues in moving water or flood situations, including:

Emergency service personnel
Mountain Rescue teams
Search and rescue organisations
Flood response and specialist rescue teams

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Understand hydrology, flood dynamics, and water hazards
Apply safe working practices and Rescue 3 principles
Conduct dynamic risk assessments and incident size-ups
Operate effectively as part of a rescue team
Perform conditional and true rescues in swiftwater environments
Manage casualties safely within water rescue incident

Itinerary

* Please note: Itinerary is subject to weather and availability.

The course combines classroom learning with extensive practical training in and around moving water. Topics and practical sessions include:

Water rescue philosophy, standards, and best practice
Risk assessment, pre-planning, and incident management
Personal and technical rescue equipment
Swiftwater swimming and self-rescue techniques
Talk, reach, throw and tethered rescue methods
Line systems, belays, anchors, and mechanical advantage systems
Casualty management and medical considerations
Searching rivers and flood environments
Vehicle and animal rescue considerations
Operations in low visibility or challenging conditions
Helicopter awareness and communications
Additional modules may include paddle boat handling, boat recovery techniques, and specialised agency equipment where applicable

Experience Required

Participants must be confident swimmers
Minimum age: 18 years
No previous swiftwater rescue qualification is required, although operational experience within a response organisation is beneficial

To get the most from the course, participants should:

Arrive prepared for physically demanding outdoor training
Bring suitable personal clothing for working in wet and variable weather conditions
Be ready to work as part of a team in realistic rescue scenarios

Available Course Dates

Start the booking process by selecting a course date, then adjust your details to suit your requirements.

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost*
Course Start Date
14th September, 2026
Duration
4 Days
Cost*
Non-Residential:
£550.00
Residential:
£900.00

*If your course is based at Plas Y Brenin, Capel Curig, residential prices include catering from the morning of your course start date and cover the duration of your course, accommodation starts on the night before your course commences to the morning of the last day of your booking.

Your Booking

Course Start Date
Duration
Cost
You have reached the maximum number of places for this course. To book further places, please call +44 (0) 1690 720 214
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