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 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...

Texas native and Sierra Rescue's own, Zach Byars recently returned to Texas to his childhood home on the Blanco river in Wimberley where his family's house was hit hard by the recent flooding. Byars wasn't able to participate in the search and rescue efforts but was able to assist friends in family in the post-flood...

Weather and water can be unpredictable, and often paddlers are caught off-guard by an unexpected storm or an unplanned swim.  With cold related problems, good prevention is key, and understanding how to manage hypothermia is an important skill for guides and paddlers alike. Different texts define the stages of hypothermia in slightly different ways, the...

[caption id="attachment_2233" align="alignleft" width="300"] looking at the lines through Rainey falls on the Rogue River[/caption] Boat safe. Be prepared One of the mainstays when approaching any rescue centers on the “K.I.S.S” theory: Keep it simple and safe. As rescue efforts unfold adhering to this simple acronym can help keep rescuers and bystanders safe. Another widely...