Advanced River Rescue picks up where your rescue training ended: You've got the paddling and basic rescue skills and are ready to put them to the test.

We'll combine the best parts of swiftwater and medical trainings to provide realistic rescue scenarios. You will finish this course with a better rescue toolbox and ability to assess a situation, make a plan, and implement it.

Who it's for:

Advanced River Rescue is for guides, instructors, and intermediate to advanced kayakers or packrafters. You must be proficient in Class III rapids and have former swifwater rescue training or equivalent experience.

How it works:

We will prioritize 'doing' over 'showing,' and will maximize our time in the water, actively learning.

Both days involve down-river travel, stopping to work on exercises or rescue scenarios. We'll work from 9 AM to 5 PM. Please show up early, ready to roll at 9 AM.

Each exercise and scenario is framed as a challenge ("access an injured patient on the other shore") and followed by a group debrief. You will receive direct and group feedback, gently, as we work to elevate each other.

The course synthesis involves paddling around the corner to discover an incident site. You will be tasked with problem-solving, accessing and assessing injured paddlers, moving people to safety, etc. Scenarios are based on training strategies and insights from the military and first responders.

Participants with 100% attendance will receive certificates of completion.

Luc Mehl

• Author of The Packraft Handbook, over 10,000 copies sold.
• Winner of the Banff and National Outdoor Book Awards.
• Public Service Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
• Citation of Honor from the Alaska Legislature
• Leadership Award from the Wilderness Risk Management Conference
• Co-editor, American Whitewater Safety Code 2024 revision.
• SRT, WWTIII, WFR

Taylor Guetschow

• Ski patroller at Alyeska Resort
• Former Denali Mountain Park Ranger
• SRT, EMT-1

Kevin Kelly

• ACA L4 River Packrafting Instructor
• State of Alaska Remote Worker Water Safety Instructor
• Four years with Triple Point Training 
• SRT, WFR

You will leave this course with a polished and expanded toolset to respond to what can go wrong during river work or play:

• Assessing risk and identifying river hazards when conducting a self- or team-rescue
• Considerations for remote and minimal equipment rescues
• Coordinating a rescue response and team rescue
• Swiftwater swimming
• Wading
• Throw ropes
• Foot-entrapment rescues
• Re-entries (packrafts) and T-rescues (kayaks)
• Medical considerations for drowning (rescue breathing, CPR), dislocated shoulders, and hypothermia.
• Problem-solving
• Leadership and team-management

Review the required equipment list.

You are responsible for all of your personal protective and boating equipment. I will provide throw ropes and hardware.

• Drysuit, helmet, and PFD with whistle.
• Closed-toe shoes. Do not wear neoprene booties.
• Paddle and kayak with float bags or a packraft

If you need to rent equipment, I recommend Hoarding Marmot in Anchorage.

I will have throw bags, river knives, and whistles for sale.

Review the full Essential Eligibility Criteria guidelines.

Advanced River Rescue is open to adults who can provide their own equipment. You will need to sign a waiver to participate.

 You must be able to: 

• Paddle under control through Class III rapids.
• Hold your breath underwater, then independently turn to a face-up position and keep your head above water.
• Tread water and swim to shore in swiftwater.
• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Understand and follow directions: Voice commands, hand and paddle signals, and whistle signals.
• Manage your personal care and mobility for 8 hours, both in and out of cold water.

Contact me if you are under 18, visually or hearing impaired, have other unique considerations, or have any other questions about your eligibility.

Advanced River Rescue involves the inherent risks of realistic scenarios in technical whitewater. You must be a proficient paddler capable of self-rescue and supporting your peers. The rescue scenarios will involve various roles of technical proficiency. Your safety will depend in part on your ability to make honest self-assessments and be willing to express your strengths and weaknesses to the group.

• 4:1 instructor ratio. You will be asked to play victim as well.
• Led by Luc Mehl: Certified Ice and Swiftwater Rescue Technician (Special Ops Swiftwater Rescue, WRT-III), WFR, author of The Packraft Handbook.
• Assisted by Kevin Kelly, Taylor Guetschow, Tim Kelley, or Amy Christeson, who are all SRT and WFR certified at a minimum.

Review the full Cancellation and Refund Policy.

• If you find a replacement for your registration: No fee.
• More than 30-day notice: Full refund minus a $20 CC and administration fee.
• Less than 30-day notice and I can fill your space from the waitlist: Full refund minus $50 fee.
• Less than 30-day notice and I'm unable to fill your space: 50% refund