Registrations For the 2009 Swift Water Rescue Seminar are now closed!
Our next Swift Water Rescue Seminar will be held in 2010. Visit our Schools page to view the most recent school calendar.
TSRA offers scholarships for Rescue Professionals through the Spangler Fund. If you are a Ranger, Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, or Rescue Squad member you may qualify. Write us at
info@paddletsra.org for details.
Did you really enjoy the last swim you took at Double Drop on the Big South Fork? Has your boat ever left the roof rack because your knot-tying skills are just a tad rusty? Have you ever felt totally helpless while other paddlers assisted a fellow river runner in trouble? Are you assuming a role of greater responsibility as trip leader on upcoming river outings? If considering any of these situations provokes a sensation of insecurity, then perhaps the TSRA Swiftwater Rescue Seminar is for you! This course covers many aspects of river safety and rescue techniques, and is a must for all who regularly paddle our streams and rivers. Seasoned paddlers and novices alike can benefit from an intense weekend of learning and practicing river rescue skills. Our goal is to raise your level of awareness of river safety issues and continue the tradition of safe paddling that TSRA has developed over the last four decades.
LOCATION: Gee Creek Campground in the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park near Delano, TN. If you are unfamiliar with this campground, directions can be found on the Tennessee State Parks website:
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/Hiwassee/ Look for a large tarp and a sign related to “Swift Water Rescue”.
DESCRIPTION: An intensive ACA Format course involving classroom instruction covering such topics as rescue philosophy, site assessment, victim stabilization, hypothermia, near drowning, and others. On the water technical skills such as swiftwater swimming techniques, rope throwing, use of the rescue PFD, knot tying, and mechanical advantage systems will be covered. You will come away with greater confidence in your own ability to paddle safely. You will become much more comfortable IN the water! Please Note: This seminar requires the ENTIRE weekend plan to be with us from Friday p.m. through Sunday afternoon in order to complete the program.
PREREQUISITES: This seminar is open to any adult TSRA member, and paddlers of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. Because of the limited number of students that we can accommodate, priority will be given to TSRA instructors and trip leaders. This is NOT a paddling weekend. This IS a rather strenuous program, and you need to have a reasonable level of physical fitness and be able to swim well. Each seminar is limited to approximately 25 participants, and in the past the positions have filled quickly, so don't delay registration!
This program is designed to meet the needs of recreational paddlers of all levels, and follows an ACA format. The focus is NOT on paddling skill development—but we believe that this training will make anyone a better paddler. This intense, weekend-long seminar coversa wide variety of topics, such as rescue philosophy, equipment needs, proper use of the rescue rope, rescue swimming techniques, and gear recovery techniques.
We will plan to camp as a group, and all meals will be prepared as a group. You will be asked to assist with some of the meal preparation or clean up. The instructors will do the shopping prior to the seminar. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know before the seminar, and we will try to accommodate them. Look for a large tarp and a sign that says “Swiftwater Rescue” when you arrive at the campground. You will need to bring your personal camping equipment, and bring a camp chair for “classroom” sessions. What to bring? Bring full river attire, including helmet, PFD, and river footwear. We recommend a wet suit primarily for abrasion protection—you will be swimming around rocks! You will also need a throw rope, a water bottle, two locking carabiners, 15 feet of 1” stitched nylon webbing, and two 10-12 foot sections of 5 or 6mm rope. The rope and webbing can be purchased at most outfitters, but don’t panic if you can’t find it—we’ll have extra. You will also need a whistle for your PFD, and a rescue knife is recommended but optional.
Visit our
Schools Page for registration instructions. We hope to see you on the river!
