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Educational Programs - Training & Seminars

Water Rescue Technician (WRT) Course

The Water Rescue Technician (WRT) Course is a fast-paced, educational program specifically designed for Public Safety and Rescue Professionals, including Law Enforcement, Fire, Rescue, EMS and Lifeguard Personnel. This course is designed as a foundational course for all public safety and rescue professionals, regardless of their swimming ability or experience in, on or around the water. The WRT Candidate must be in good physical condition and must be comfortable in deep water while wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). All practical evolutions, with the exception of some shallow water skills and the Firefighter Survival evolutions, are performed while wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). No other prerequisites are required.

The WRT course consists of a 3.5 hour classroom session, followed by a 4.5 hour practical session. Subjects and/or practical evolutions include the following:

• Physiology of Drowning
• Principles of Water Rescue and Survival
• Types and Uses of Personal Flotation Devices
• Shore-based Non-swimming Rescues
• Basic Contact and Swimming Rescues
• Cold Water Rescue and Survival
• Ice Rescue and Survival
• Swiftwater Rescue and Survival
• Firefighter Survival in the Water
• Management of Aquatic Spinal Injuries
• Personal Defense and Survival Maneuvers
• Incident Command

The focus of this one-day training program is on surface water rescue and survival principles and procedures and is designed to provide the public safety and rescue professional with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe rescue and recovery operations in, on, and around the water.




Individuals who participate in a Water Rescue Technician Course and who successfully complete the classroom session and the final written examination, but who cannot participate or successfully complete the practical session, will be awarded a Water Rescue Awareness certificate.


FIREFIGHTER SURVIVAL IN THE WATER Video Clip
The following videoclip may be downloaded or viewed online and represents one of the skill evolutions demonstrated and practiced as part of the Water Rescue Technician Course.
Watch Now (QuickTime 26Mb)

Course Instructor
The curriculum has been developed by and is presented by Gerald Dworkin, a professional Aquatics Safety and Water Rescue Consultant for Lifesaving Resources.  Dworkin has authored numerous articles which have appeared in such publications as Advanced Rescue Technology; Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS); Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Magazine; Parks and Recreation Magazine; and Aquatics International.  Besides the Water Rescue Course Guidebook, Dworkin has also published the Ice Rescue Course Guidebook, The Lifeguard Competition Guidebook, and CPR for Infants and Children (published by the Child Welfare League of America).

Dworkin has an extensive background in Aquatics, Water Rescue, EMS, and Firefighting, and regularly consults as an Expert in drowning and aquatic injury litigation.  Dworkin is considered an expert and qualified educator in the field of Aquatics Safety, Water Rescue, and Ice Rescue throughout the country.
Course Schedule
The 8-hour Water Rescue Technician Course is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Sign-in begins at 7:30 AM. A classroom session is conducted from 08:00 - 12:00 hrs., followed by 4.5-hour in-water practical session. Certificates are awarded to those who successfully meet all educational course objectives including: (A) participation in classroom session, and (B) completion of all practical evolutions.

Course Fees
The fee for the one-day Water Rescue Technician Course may vary depending upon the course location and facilities being used. The course fees include the comprehensive Water Rescue Training Guidebook, handouts, a Course Completion Certificate suitable for framing, and Insignia. Please go to the Educational Programs Section of the Lifesaving Resources' OnLine Catalog to register.

Continuing Education Credit
CEUs are typically available through state and/or national professional associations for participation in this course, should you wish to arrange.

Registration
Participants may register OnLine, by mail, or by fax for Lifesaving Resources' sponsored Courses. Early registration is recommended and should be received at least 10 days prior to the Course date in order to insure availability. Courses may also be sponsored by independent organizations at which time registration may be processed directly through those organizations.




Hosting Responsibilities
To host a course, you must provide a suitable and comfortable classroom facility, free from outside noise and distractions, for a 3.5-hour classroom educational program. Parking and convenient restaurants must be easily accessible from the course location. A large movie screen and VCR must be provided by the host, while Lifesaving Resources provides the Computer, LCD and Sound System. The practical evolutions must be conducted in either a swimming pool or bathing beach. A deck or dock must be available to allow entry in the water from a slight elevation over the surface of the water. A minimum of 20 paid registrants are required to conduct the course. The host agency is responsible for assisting in the promotion of the course but assumes no financial responsibility for the conduct of the course. Lifesaving Resources can will agree to pay an appropriate administrative fee to the host agency to cover administrative and refreshment expenses incurred in the conduct of the course. Lifesaving Resources will provide each registered participant their personal copy of the Water Rescue Technician Course Guidebook, and upon successful completion of the course, a Course Completion Certificate and Insignia will be awarded to each participant as well.

   
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