Rescue · Water · ACA Level 4
Swiftwater
Rescue.
Two days of practical swiftwater rescue training for paddlers, guides, and river users. Build your judgment, self-rescue skills, and ability to help your team.
- 2 days
- Field-based skills course
- ACA Level 4
- Swiftwater Rescue
- River practice
- Self-rescue & team response
The course
Good rescue begins
before an incident.
Reading the current, recognizing hazards, and making sound decisions matter before anyone needs help. MTN’s ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue course pairs those decisions with practical rescue skills and team problem solving.
Learn through shore-based practice, in-water work, and scenarios. The course is designed for people with river experience who want to become more capable partners on the water. Contact MTN to discuss your experience and the requirements for the specific venue.
Learn by doing
What you’ll
practice.
Explore the skills, then put them to work through hands-on practice and feedback.
River judgment & prevention
- River features, hazards, and risk assessment.
- Equipment choices, communication, and a shared rescue plan.
- Selecting an approach that accounts for the people, conditions, and resources available.
Self-rescue & helping a swimmer
- Moving-water swimming and self-rescue practice.
- Shore-based assistance and throw-rope skills.
- Coordinating a response with clear roles and communication.
Rescue tools & team systems
- Rescue equipment, rope handling, and team-based problem solving.
- Techniques for assisting people and recovering equipment.
- Recognizing the limits and risks of more complex rescue options.
Apply skills on the river
- Scenarios that connect assessment, decisions, and practical skills.
- Practice under instructor supervision with feedback.
- Debriefing the response and identifying what your team can improve.
Format & completion
ACA Level 4.
Practical river skills.
A two-day American Canoe Association Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue skills course. Ryan Armstrong is an ACA Level 5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Ask MTN before registration if you need a formal skills assessment or an employer-specific credential.
Who it’s for
For whitewater paddlers, rafters, guides, trip leaders, and other river users with existing river experience. Plan for active days in and around moving water. We will confirm venue-specific experience and participation requirements before registration.
Before class
Come prepared.
Participation
Review the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria and discuss your experience, swimming comfort, and access needs with MTN before registering.
Personal equipment
Plan for a properly fitted life jacket, whitewater helmet, closed-toe river footwear, and thermal protection suited to the conditions. Confirm the full equipment list and any loaner availability with MTN.
Location & conditions
River conditions shape the training venue and schedule. Confirm the location, meeting times, equipment, tuition, and weather plan for your course.
Choose your training
Rescue and patient care
belong together.
Getting someone out of the water is part of the response. Wilderness First Aid adds patient assessment, injury and illness care, and evacuation decisions to your river preparation.
Good to know
Course questions.
Is this a beginner paddling class?
This course focuses on rescue skills for river users with existing experience. Contact MTN about the planned venue and your background so we can help you choose appropriate training.
Do I need to buy equipment first?
Check with MTN before buying gear. We will confirm the required equipment, fit, thermal protection, and any loaner options for your specific course.
How do I find a date or arrange a group?
Contact MTN with your group size, river experience, preferred dates, and location. Public offerings, when scheduled, appear on the course calendar.
Your next step
Put preparation
into practice.
Choose a scheduled class or tell us about your group. Session details include the location, schedule, tuition, and registration requirements.
