Whitewater Rescue Technician Level 1

Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT1)
3 Day Certification Course (minimum age: 16)
Magnetawan River, Magnetawan ON Dates & Registration Below
This short & intensive Whitewater Rescue Technician – Level 1 (WRT1) course equips participants with a 3 year certification in Whitewater Rescue through Rescue 3 International. The course is designed specifically for professional guides, private boaters, park service personnel, and others who work or play around moving water. You will learn to use techniques and simple equipment to assess and perform river rescues.

Presented in a three-day format, this course focuses on realistic problems that you may face. The emphasis is on fast, low-tech and improvised rescue techniques that are effective and require minimal equipment. You will be taught to understand whitewater dynamics, handle swiftwater hazards and obstacles, effectively use throwbags, control in-water contact rescues, set up simple rope systems, successfully extricate pinned/wrapped boats, utilize basic rescue equipment and much more. The course builds the necessary skill and confidence for you to perform safe and effective rescues.

Shallow Entry

What’s Included With Your Course?

Accommodation & Food, WRT 1 Course Manual and a Certificate upon completion of the course. Course fee includes classroom space, instruction, and all necessary technical equipment. Students are responsible for their own whitewater clothing (i.e. helmet, wetsuit/dry suit, wet shoes, PFD).

*Note: If you haven’t considered it yet, but plan to work regularly around moving water, it is advisable to purchase a Rescue PFD that has a quick-release chest harness with a D-ring, ready for a tether and tow rescue system. This is not mandatory, but allows students to learn from the pros specifically how their PFD works.

River Rescue Throw Bag Practice

What You Should Bring For Your Course

Students are required to provide their own personal protective equipment for the course: Water/kayak helmet, Type III-V whitewater approved lifejacket/PFD (preferably with a live-bait harness but not necessary), thick-soled water booties or tennis shoes (footwear should be a combination of sturdy with grip for moving quickly on slippery rocks plus lightweight and quick draining for swimming), gloves, drytop/drysuit/wetsuit (wetsuits available for rent), polypropylene/synthetic long sleeve shirt & tights/leggings, insulating layers, swimsuit, quick dry shorts, sunscreen, towel, bag to carry wet clothing to and from river, dryland clothing, personal effects, headlamp/flashlight & sleeping bag/sheets for your room.

Rescue Drills

All-Inclusive Price Breakdown

Tuition Fee	Lodge Accommodation & *Food ($60.00/day)	Total
$435	$180	$615
Accommodation is a shared room and includes the night before the course starts. *Meals and snacks are home-cooked and made with quality ingredients daily; fresh tea, quality coffees, and a selection of fruit and snacks are readily available throughout the day.
Recertification Note: Recertification candidates save 25% off of regular tuition fee! Proof of current Rescue 3 certification required.