River Rescue

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Course code

ATG540A
Locations and dates
No start dates are currently available. Register to be informed when new dates are added.
Credits

15

Take your rafting skills to the next level and build the advanced technical and safety capability required to operate confidently in complex rafting environments.

River Rescue is a short course for experienced rafters who want to progress their skills and develop the river rescue knowledge required to operate safely when rafting in Grade III waters.

Both this course and the Raft Guiding(external link) course are needed to prepare you for the NZRA River Rescue Workshop(external link), setting you up to achieve your New Zealand Rivers Association (NZRA) Grade 3 Raft Guide Award.

This three-week course focuses on:

Advanced rafting techniques
Risk management
Rescue capability
Decision-making in dynamic river conditions

This short course runs alongside NMIT’s Adventure Tourism Level 5 Diploma(external link), provides learners with a 1:6 teaching ratio and includes accommodation for your two-week Murchison and 3-day wilderness trips. Training takes place in real river settings and reflects current industry practice and expectations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What you will cover

During this course, you will develop advanced skills and knowledge, including:

Checking, maintaining, and using personal rafting and safety equipment
Advanced rafting techniques for Grade III and above water
Swift water and guide rescue techniques for rafting environments
Rafting hazard identification and risk management in dynamic river conditions
Navigation skills, including the use of guidebooks, maps, and exit planning
Advanced communication methods, including radio or satellite systems
Diverse cultural practices, perspectives and behaviour of the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand
Sustainable rafting practices, including respect for tikanga and kawa of iwi and hapū
Self-management skills, including physical, psychological, and personal well-being in outdoor environments

Entry requirements

Gear requirements

PFD (rescue type with releasable rescue belt); needs to be able to carry your flip line, prusik, pulleys, and carabiners.
Recommended: Cowstail with screw gate carabiner. Make one from webbing or accessory cord, elastic ones
have limited usefulness and life.
Flip line (16 mm or 24 mm nylon tubular webbing, or 10mm dyneema sling. 4-4.5m length, long enough to build a
harness with it.)
Well-fitting whitewater helmet
Dry jacket recommended, semi dry is ok.
Two 4-5 mm prusik lengths, 1m and 1.2m. (Not to be from your rock climbing kit)
River knife that is able to be attached to buoyancy vest (must be able to stab a raft, serrated, and be used with
one hand, preferably in a sheath. Highly recommend is a bear claw knife)
Screw gate carabiners x 3 (2 x pear shaped, at least 1 large; no steel carabiners)
2 rescue pulleys (prussic minding pulleys are nice)
Throw bag (able to be worn on body with a quick-release system)
Watch (to be worn on PFD, cheap one)
Well-fitting personal wetsuit (must be full-length, minimum 4 mm)
Recommended:
- Splash pants for ATG541 Raft Guiding paper (not dry pants!)
- River shoes or sturdy outdoor toe covering sandals/soft shoes
- Pea-less Whistle (Fox 40 is by far the best)
- Neoprene socks
- Large tote or duffle-type dive bag to carry your gear in.