The truth about throw bags, is that while they are one of a rescuer's most valuable tools, they can also be a dangerous and deceptive weapon. While there is much discussion amongst Swiftwater Rescue professionals about type of rope, whether or not to have a loop on the end of the rope, and how to...

Swiftwater rescue  not only crosses international  borders, but language barriers too. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days last week working with 4 fire fighters  Thailand. These 4 gentlemen are here in the states training with Thai Fire training director Chatchay Thaikla. The group has several stops on their trans-continental sight-seeing training trip...

Foot or body entrapment rescue can be one of the more challenging and time sensitive problems we as swiftwater responders have to deal with. In such cases, the initial size up  is imperative, and should determine 3 things: 1) scene safety 2) Victim heads up or heads down 3) available resources. There are many more parameters...

Most of the Sierra Rescue crew headed up the coast to Fortuna, CA last week to teach and train 65 of the newly signed on members of the Watershed Stewards Project. Julie and Abi headed up the Wilderness First Aid training while Zach worked the stream rescue component. Energy was high and we had a...

My last course for the fall was a great one. 7 students were in Coloma for some swiftwater action. We saw good water and awesome weather. UK native, Icelandic River Guide Mark Hirst joined us for the course and had some great additions and perspective for the river guides in the course. Plus, we found...