Swiftwater rescue
The Ice Rescue course develops the skills needed to respond to and participate in the management of ice and cold water rescue operations.
It covers rescue operations conducted on still or moving bodies of water, including mixed ice and water conditions. Participants learn about safety principles, risk assessment and the various rescue techniques specific to these environments.
The course is primarily intended for workers and emergency responders who are part of a water rescue team. It emphasizes a coordinated approach to ensure that all team members can respond effectively and safely.
The program includes two training levels based on the applicable requirements of NFPA Standard 1006.
The first level introduces fundamental safety principles and rescue techniques for ice and cold water environments.
Topics covered include:
Ice characteristics and environmental assessment;
Risk assessment and management;
Establishing a safety perimeter;
Organizing and managing rescue operations;
Team members' roles and responsibilities;
Movement and approach techniques without a boat;
Self-rescue techniques;
Indirect-contact and direct-contact rescue techniques;
Use of ice screws and specialized rescue equipment.
Duration
20 hours
Certification Validity
2 years
The second level builds on technical skills and develops the ability to respond to more complex situations, particularly those involving a rescue boat.
Special emphasis is placed on teamwork, coordination and rescue operation management, as well as the practical application of various techniques through scenarios reflecting real-life operational conditions.
Topics covered include:
Movement techniques with or without a rescue boat;
Self-rescue using a boat;
Rescue operation management and coordination of Teams A and B;
Stabilization and extraction techniques;
Use of a rescue basket;
Active care of a person experiencing hypothermia;
Search techniques;
Management of nighttime rescue operations.
Duration
25 hours
Certification Validity
2 years