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Class III Safety & Rescue Course

Training for Whitewater Rafters

Class III Safety & Rescue

Learn from Professionals in Our

Class III Safety & Rescue Training

  • Length: 3 days
  • Minimum Age: 16
  • Location: Clackamas River (Oregon)
  • Prerequisite: Interest in Rafting and Ability to Swim
  • Course Price: $545
5 5 5

Excellent

The guides were excellent at explaining and demonstrating safety and rescue techniques and let us practice and learn these skills, with just the right amount of guidance and with positivity and humility. Great teachers and training!!! Thanks so much. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I now have a healthier respect for the rivers and rafting sport.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“The guides were excellent at explaining and demonstrating safety and rescue techniques and let us practice and learn these skills, with just the right amount of guidance and with positivity and humility. Great teachers and training!!! Thanks so much. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I now have a healthier respect for the rivers and rafting sport.”

This safety and rescue course is tailored for whitewater rafters and serves as a natural progression from our Class III Rowing School. While completing the Class III Rowing School is not a prerequisite, participants should have prior experience navigating and/or paddling Class III rapids before enrolling.

Professional river guides should look into our Rescue 3 Whitewater Rescue Technician Professional (WRT-Pro) courses.

River Safety

Our course will emphasize safety and accident prevention, with a strong focus on effective flotilla management to ensure a comprehensive safety net. Key topics covered include:

  • Pre-Trip Safety Talks: How to be sure all participants are prepared for potential accidents.
  • On-River Communication: Establishing a common language and communication tools.
  • Proper Dress (PPE): Understanding and utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Boat Order and Spacing: Setting boat spacing and order to rescue swimmers.
  • Whitewater Swimming: Techniques for self-rescue on whitewater rivers.
  • Setting Safety: Positioning resources and personnel to provide immediate support when needed.

This curriculum is designed to instill confidence and competence in managing safety on the river.

Throw Bag Rescue
Throw bag practice

River Rescue & Equipment Retrieval

In this section of the course, we will cover essential rescue techniques to be used after an accident occurs. The content is divided into two key areas: rescue and equipment retrieval. Topics include:

  • Rescue Philosophy for Whitewater Paddlers: Understanding the principles that guide responsible and effective rescues.
  • Establishing Proper Priorities: Focusing on what matters most during a rescue scenario.
  • Rescuing Swimmers with Boats: Techniques for assisting swimmers safely from the water.
  • Use of Throw Bags: Using throw ropes to retrieve swimmers.
  • Knots: Learning and applying essential knots.
  • Land and Boat Anchors: Setting up reliable anchor systems for various rescue needs.
  • Mechanical Advantage Pulling Systems: Utilizing M.A. systems to recover pinned boats.
  • Techniques for Flipping Rafts: Responsibly righting overturned rafts.
  • Addressing Foot Entrapments: Managing this dangerous situation.
  • Big Picture Scene Safety: Maintaining overall safety and leadership during rescues.

This portion of the course equips participants with practical skills to handle emergencies confidently and effectively on the river.

Raft flipping
Raft flipping practice

Typical Schedule

Every Class III Safety & Rescue course is a little different. This is a sample schedule that may change depending on the group skills, water levels, and weather.

  • Day 1: Classroom sessions on land that cover safety, knots, and mechanical advantage
  • Day 2: Riverside sessions about swimming, throw bags, flips, and foot entrapments
  • Day 3: Downriver sessions about team boating, setting safety, and swimmer rescue

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I stay during the course?

The closest option is staying in the town of Estacada, where there is one hotel and a few vacation rentals. You can also stay in Oregon City, which offers more lodging options and chain hotels, but is a bit farther of a drive.

Is there camping?

Campgrounds near the Clackamas River typically do not open until late May, so camping is not an option for this course.

What do I wear on the course?

Check out the Class III Safety & Rescue Course Trip Details PDF for a complete packing list and guidance on whether a wetsuit or drysuit is the best choice for you.

USFS LogoWe are licensed by the Oregon State Marine Board and operate under special use permit with the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. This institution operates under a special use permit with the Mt. Hood National Forest, USDA, USFS.

Articles about our Class III Safety and Rescue Courses

Guide to Our Instructional Courses

At Northwest Rafting Company, we pride ourselves on creating more confident and skilled boaters through professional instruction. From rowing schools to International Rafting Federation guide workshops, we instruct beginners and…

Read More

Trip Highlights

  • Rescue Philosophy and Priorities
  • Risk Management and Scene Safety
  • Swimmer and Boat Rescue Techniques
  • Throw Bag Training and Practice
  • Setting up Mechanical Advantage Systems

Quick Facts

  • Courses are located on the Clackamas River in Oregon
  • Instructors are experienced guides, whitewater paddlers, and educators
  • Intended as a follow up to our Class III Rowing School

Trip Reviews

rescue Overall rating: ★★★★★ 5 based on 12 reviews.
5 1
5 5 5

Excellent

The guides were excellent at explaining and demonstrating safety and rescue techniques and let us practice and learn these skills, with just the right amount of guidance and with positivity and humility. Great teachers and training!!! Thanks so much. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I now have a healthier respect for the rivers and rafting sport.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“The guides were excellent at explaining and demonstrating safety and rescue techniques and let us practice and learn these skills, with just the right amount of guidance and with positivity and humility. Great teachers and training!!! Thanks so much. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. I now have a healthier respect for the rivers and rafting sport.”
5 5 5

First Choice

It's obvious that Mark, Austin and Zack really love their jobs. They constantly searched for new creative ways to make our rescue class even more engaging and tailored it to fit the skill level of our group. They never once took the easy way, but really strove to make our experience as rich as possible. NW Rafting will always be my first choice for when looking for a class or guided experience!
★★★★★
5 5 1
“It's obvious that Mark, Austin and Zack really love their jobs. They constantly searched for new creative ways to make our rescue class even more engaging and tailored it to fit the skill level of our group. They never once took the easy way, but really strove to make our experience as rich as possible. NW Rafting will always be my first choice for when looking for a class or guided experience!”
5 5 5

A Must

The Class III Rescue course is a must for anyone who spends time on the river. Our instructors, Mark, Austin and Zach, designed our lessons to build our skills systematically and with ample on-the-water opportunity to practice, learn from fails without judgement, and practice again to the point of competence and confidence. The course was rigorous, the water was cold and I am so glad I did it as I gained knowledge and skill in responding to the types of dangerous situations one hopes never to get in to but should always be prepared for.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“The Class III Rescue course is a must for anyone who spends time on the river. Our instructors, Mark, Austin and Zach, designed our lessons to build our skills systematically and with ample on-the-water opportunity to practice, learn from fails without judgement, and practice again to the point of competence and confidence. The course was rigorous, the water was cold and I am so glad I did it as I gained knowledge and skill in responding to the types of dangerous situations one hopes never to get in to but should always be prepared for.”
5 5 5

Motivating

When we adventure we often cross into a line where we don't know what we don't know. Rafting is no different. This course really helped me put into perspective my current ability and feel motivated to get out on the rivers and learn more.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“When we adventure we often cross into a line where we don't know what we don't know. Rafting is no different. This course really helped me put into perspective my current ability and feel motivated to get out on the rivers and learn more.”