Swiftwater rescue program offered in Saratoga

In an effort to improve river safety in the Valley, Rob Streeter with Carbon County Search and Rescue has organized a whitewater safety training to be held in the Saratoga area May 6, 7 and 8.

The three-day course, taught by Bill Dvorak of Dvorak Expeditions out of Nathrop, Colo., will include a day and a half of classroom and dry land instruction which will be held at the Saratoga Fire Department followed by another day and a half of river training at Veterans Island in Saratoga.

According to Streeter, a member of the Encampment Fire Department, Carbon County Search and Rescue, and South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Service (SCWEMS), “Water rescue is singularly the most dangerous thing a rescuer can do.”

Streeter has invited first responders from Carbon and Albany Counties along with those in Walden, Colo. to attend. He also encourages any emergency providers, guides and whitewater enthusiasts to take this valuable life-saving course.

Upon adequate completion of the three-day course, students will be nationally certified as Swiftwater Rescue Technicians (SRT-1).

According to the Dvorak Expeditions website,the SRT-1 course is a comprehensive course that teaches specific behavioral objectives and includes practical and written tests prior to certification.

The SRT-1 course is the most widely-taught course of its kind and provides a standard that has been achieved by some 90,000 people from numerous organizations throughout the U.S.A. since 1979.

Gear needed for the course includes a helmet, Type III or V personal floatation device (PFD), and a wetsuit or drysuit. Gear will be available for rent to registered applicants.

Other requirements are that students be in reasonable physical shape, have strong swimming abilities and have medical coverage.

The price for the SRT-1 course is $425 per person if the group size remains below 20 participants but will drop to $360 if the number of students rises above that.

Registration deadline is March 25 and you may register by calling Dvorak Expeditions at 800-824-3795 or 719-539-6851.