Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator Training Course

The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator training course is intended for emergency services or rescue teams who will be required to carry out rescues in a swiftwater and flood environment. This course incorporates all elements from the FRBO course and adds a swiftwater capability suitable for fast moving rivers and flash flood conditions. It is based on the philosophy of self-protection and application of low to high risk solutions.

Course length: 5 days

The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator course can also be run as a 4-day add-on module for those of have attended the Rescue 3 Rescue Boat Operator Course or equivalent national course, eg RYA Powerboat level 2. It can be run as a 3-day add-on module from the Flood Rescue Boat Operator course.

Course content includes:

• Scope of operations
• Boat & hull types
• Drive units
• Maintenance
• Pre & post trip checks & procedures
• Rescue boat equipment
• PPE
• Communications
• Weather considerations
• Navigation considerations
• Dynamic risk assessment
• platforms
• Flood & moving water hazards
• Medical & decontamination considerations
• Boat wraps
• Rescuer safety & training
• Weir considerations
• Launching & recovery
• Crew operational roles
• Boat handling under power and with paddles
• Towing
• Anchoring
• Wading
• Flips & rights
• Controlling boats with ropes
• Swiftwater boat handling under power and with paddles
• Swiftwater crew operational roles
• Crew person overboard & recovery
• Casualty pick up
• Casualty management
• Boat based throwbag rescue
• Transferring & transporting difficult loads
• Boat based stretcher management
• Rescues from elevated positions
• Boat based tethered swimmer rescues
• Swiftwater casualty pick up
• Searching swiftwater & floods
• Night / poor visibility operations in swiftwater
• Vehicles in water
• Helicopter considerations

Prerequisites: Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician