Hi guys,

As I start paddling more, I get more conscious of the water I'm in and what it can do if I don't respect it, similar to someone's first experiences into the backcountry. That being said, I think experience is the best way to mitigate those risks, but education can be a big help too.

I'm looking at taking a swift water technician 1 class and would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations on it and specific courses around WA. Do you guys think it's worth the high price or what kind of expectations should I have going into the course.

Any help is appreciated.

-Conrad

I took the class from Todd Collins at Wet Planet....I think there is a lot to learn from a guy like Todd.

Like chipmaney said, take a whitewater rescue course. I took the swiftwater and there is a lot of information in the swiftwater that you will never need or is not practical in a whitewater situation. For example they heavily teach the "pig Rig" which requires having a separate static line which you will likely never have unless your on the grand canyon or other raft support multiday. The Whitewater course also teaches fpecific techniques for Kayaks and rafts, the swiftwater is for firemen and sherffis and the tools that they ahve at hand are very different from what you and I carry.

All that Being said, if you can't find a Whitewater course being taught then Swiftwater is better than nothing. Also, buy a copy of "mountaineering: Freedom of the hills", it has some of the most in depth rope work skills that you can learn. I started as a climber and regularly apply the rope work skills I learned as a climber to paddling and rafting.

Also take everything you learn in these classes with a grain of salt, they really work to teach you the hard skills (rope work, systems, and stuff like that) and less about the thought process. Not their fault, but there is not really enough time in three day course to really get up to snuff on everything you need to learn.

when doing a rescue start simple then move to complex, too often people want to start rigging a z drag when there is a simpler and faster solution to the problem.

Good luck and have fun, also don't be dummy and take yours in March like I did. I froze my ass off.