ACA Level 5

Advanced Swiftwater Rescue

  • Have you taken a standard 2-day swiftwater rescue class already? Is it time for a refresher but you also want to learn new skills? This intensive, hands-on training is designed for individuals who have a solid foundation in basic swiftwater rescue techniques and are looking to elevate their skills to a higher level.

    In this course, we’ll add some hard skills to your rescue toolbox like advanced mechanical advantage systems and new cinches but you’ll also receive coaching on your rescue mindset and leadership, as well as skills to avoid accidents in the first place. You will practice complex and challenging rescue scenarios based on real life accident reports.

    Course Prerequisites: Participants are required to have completed a basic swiftwater rescue course or possess equivalent experience. You should have experience swimming rapids, wading among rocks, and throwing ropes. Boats are not required.

    Dates: June 27 and 28

    Times: 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday

    Location: Foxton Boulder Garden, south of Conifer, CO.

    Cost: $365 per person

    Looking to expand your skills? Purchase an Advanced Swiftwater Rescue and Boat-Based Rescue bundle at a discounted rate of $435.

  • The ACA L5 curriculum can be found at https://americancanoe.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/L5_ASWR_skills.pdf. We will customize the course to the group and the types of rivers we usually see in Colorado, but some specific skills include:

    • Live Bait and Quick Releases

    • Advanced Cinches for vertical pins and foot entrapments

    • Mechanical Advantage Systems up to 9:1

    • Advanced ropework topics like raises/lowers, Telfer lowers, and Tyrolean traverses

    • Tensioned Diagonals

  • Students are expected to be prepared for lots of swimming in varying weather and water conditions. The early spring classes can be particularly cold including ice in the water. Drysuits and rescue PFDs with quick release belts are recommended. We have spare throw ropes, pulleys and prusiks for everyone to use but if you already have your own gear it can be great to practice with what you’ll actually be using.

    Boats are not required for the 2 day class as we get kayakers, packrafters, rafters, and stand-up paddle boarders of very different ability levels. This makes it difficult to plan a boating section that works for everyone. Students looking to practice boat-based rescue techniques should sign up for the half-day boat-based rescue class.