Video: Water Rescue Training Levels

Transcript for PFBC Water Rescue Training Levels

Narrator: The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Water Rescue Program held its first course in 1983. Since that time, the curriculum has evolved and grown to be a nationally recognized curriculum.

Water Rescue and Emergency Response–1670 Operations Level

The Water Rescue and Emergency Response (WRER) course consists of classroom, pool, and outdoor practical skills training. Participants must have strong swimming skills and meet time and distance swim requirements before moving on to the outdoor practical. Content includes planning, water dynamics, personal protective and rescue equipment, and self and shore-based rescue skills.

The WRER course is a requirement for all of the following NFPA 1670 technician-level courses.

Emergency Boat Operations and Rescue—1670 Technician Level

Emergency Boat Operations and Rescue, this course consists of classroom and flat and moving water practical training. Content includes boat selection, outfitting, boat handling, moving water tactics, and boat rescue techniques. (The Boating Safety and Education Certificate is an additional prerequisite besides WRER for this course.)

Advanced Line Systems Rescue—1670 Technician Level

The Advanced Line Systems Rescue course consists of classroom, pool, and moving water practical. Participants must have strong swimming skills and meet time and distance swim requirements before moving on to the outdoor practical session. Training includes the use of Type V rescue vests; tethered swimmer rescues; tension diagonals; and how to set up, operate, and tear down a movable control point.

Ice Rescue and Emergency Response—1670 Technician Level

The Ice Rescue and Emergency Response course consists of classroom, pool, and outdoor practical sessions. Training includes how to evaluate and respond to ice-related emergencies, how to identify ice conditions, the use of ice rescue equipment, and ice rescue tactics and techniques.

On screen: For more information contact:
Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager
PA Fish and Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Ave. - PO Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
ph: (717) 705-7841
Visit us on the web at: http://fishandboat.com/waterrescue.htm

Copyright: PA Fish and Boat Commission
Video by: Chris A. Calhoun