Rescue 3 Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician

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.

Who is this aimed at

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

Objectives

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

What to Expect

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

How should I prepare?

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

Note: Our instructors will assess any safety equipment you bring with you. If they consider it to be below the required standard, you will be asked to use equipment provided free of charge by Plas y Brenin.