A swiftwater entry  doesn't have to be graceful, it just has to gets the job done. A good swiftwater entry can make or break your swiftwater swim. Part superman, part belly flop, it involves extending yourself into the current and can give you the jump start you need to make your target. In our swiftwater rescue courses...

The figure of eight on a bight is one of the most commonly used knots in swiftwater rescue. It is often used with throw bags for live bait,  tethered boats, and tag lines. The figure of 8 on a bight is relatively strong, secure when dressed, easy to tell when its tied properly, and easy...

Fall is in the air and what better way to spend a week than playing with ropes in a technical rope training  on Donner summit. With the King fire looming close at hand at rapidly growing, we had some interesting weather patterns. This group of ski patrollers, fire-fighters, and coast guard swimmers did not shy...

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...

We braved the early winter weather that came through the Sierra Nevada this week, and had a great few days training on the Truckee River and the surrounding mountains.  We had two students all the way from Argentina joined by a few other folks from various parts of California's fire rescue. Rain snow or shine,...