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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: $575
5 5 5

This course was Rad!

This course was Rad! The instructors were great & I feel like I learned a lot of essential skills and best practices for whitewater safety and rescue. I was stoked with all the hands on experience, down river sessions and rescue scenarios. Take this course if you want to up your safety and rescue game.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“This course was Rad! The instructors were great & I feel like I learned a lot of essential skills and best practices for whitewater safety and rescue. I was stoked with all the hands on experience, down river sessions and rescue scenarios. Take this course if you want to up your safety and rescue game.”

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 17 reviews.
5 1
5 5 5

This course was Rad!

This course was Rad! The instructors were great & I feel like I learned a lot of essential skills and best practices for whitewater safety and rescue. I was stoked with all the hands on experience, down river sessions and rescue scenarios. Take this course if you want to up your safety and rescue game.
★★★★★
5 5 1
“This course was Rad! The instructors were great & I feel like I learned a lot of essential skills and best practices for whitewater safety and rescue. I was stoked with all the hands on experience, down river sessions and rescue scenarios. Take this course if you want to up your safety and rescue game.”
5 5 5

A++ all around

A++ all around. The instructors are enthusiastic, welcoming, and inclusive of all skill levels. I felt supported and encouraged throughout the learning process and will certainly be booking more skills training and educational courses as I progress in my boating endeavors. Besides the high level of training, my top take away from this experience is that a drysuit is a game changer. I got so much more out of this training by being comfortable, warm, and in proper attire to learn. For any spring classes or cold water river training, the drysuit rental may as well be a requirement. I am so grateful the rental option was available, I would not have been as engaged if I was in a wetsuit. Thank you NWRC!
★★★★★
5 5 1
“A++ all around. The instructors are enthusiastic, welcoming, and inclusive of all skill levels. I felt supported and encouraged throughout the learning process and will certainly be booking more skills training and educational courses as I progress in my boating endeavors. Besides the high level of training, my top take away from this experience is that a drysuit is a game changer. I got so much more out of this training by being comfortable, warm, and in proper attire to learn. For any spring classes or cold water river training, the drysuit rental may as well be a requirement. I am so grateful the rental option was available, I would not have been as engaged if I was in a wetsuit. Thank you NWRC!”
5 5 5

Everything was Incredible!

Everything was incredible from the gear (the drysuit was clutch and allowed me to focus on learning and spending time in the water rather than being cold and worrying about getting wet), The course content was well-thought-out and well presented, our instructors were great human beings and so knowledgeable, and the food was delicious! 10/10 would recommend!
★★★★★
5 5 1
“Everything was incredible from the gear (the drysuit was clutch and allowed me to focus on learning and spending time in the water rather than being cold and worrying about getting wet), The course content was well-thought-out and well presented, our instructors were great human beings and so knowledgeable, and the food was delicious! 10/10 would recommend!”
5 5 5

Feeling more confident on the water after taking this course!

Didn’t know how much I needed this course until I took it! Our instructors Claire and Mark were thorough, gave great instruction and were hilarious. Definitely feeling more confident on the water after taking this course!
★★★★★
5 5 1
“Didn’t know how much I needed this course until I took it! Our instructors Claire and Mark were thorough, gave great instruction and were hilarious. Definitely feeling more confident on the water after taking this course!”