With water training being broken into Level I and Level II, our swiftwater training reflects this. Level I rescuers do not directly enter moving water, but rather learn to work from shore, bridges, or boats to affect rescue. Boat assisted and based techniques are covered, and students get a very large amount of boat operations, both on flat water and in current, and both with motors and paddle power.

River reading and water formation is also covered, and a key part to learning how the water can be used to help rescue victims, and also how to recognize what will harm us, the rescuers. Ropes are a key part of almost any technical rescue discipline, and swiftwater rescuers will learn to apply ropes and rope systems to common scenarios, including the Movable Control Point (MCP) system, which controls all movements of a watercraft from one or both shores.

Defensive swimming is also covered in case of an accidental entry, as well as hypothermia, scene safety, search parameters, etc.

In the Level II classes, students start to transistion into team leading by using the same skills above, and also learn to enter the water for rescues in "live bait" evolutions. More advanced watercraft operations are also covered, including 2 boat tether operations, which can be deadly in training and real-life if not done properly.

Blackwater Instructor Jake Bickenheuser swimming over a simultated strainer at Deer Creek Lake.

A class operating a johnboat at Ellis Dam, below the chute.