Essential Eligibility Criteria

Course participants must be at least 18 years of age and able to:

• Understand and follow voice commands, hand, paddle, and whistle signals. 
• 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 or flatwater, or the ice's edge in ice rescue courses.
• Sign a waiver.

I welcome opportunities to accommodate youth, visual/auditory considerations, and other unique circumstances—contact me ahead of time so that we can make a plan!

Packraft Safety & Rescue

Safety and boat control training involves wading and swimming in swiftwater, paddling, and intentional or accidental capsizing. You should not participate if you have injuries that limit your ability to paddle, wade, swim, or walk along a rough shoreline. Cold water immersion can also trigger asthma and other respiratory distress.

You must be able to: 

• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Manage your personal care and mobility during 8 hours in and out of cold water.

River Rescue Scenario Training

This rescue training involves wading and swimming in swiftwater, paddling, and intentional or accidental capsizing. You should not participate if you have injuries that limit your ability to paddle, wade, swim, or walk along a rough shoreline. Cold water immersion can also trigger asthma and other respiratory distress.

Pre-requisites:

• Able to navigate rapids rated Class II+ / III- with good boat control.
• Swiftwater Rescue Training, Packraft Safety & Rescue training, equivalent courses, or equivalent experience.
• Packrafters must have properly outfitted boats and be able to perform a wet re-entry.
• Kayakers must have flotation bags and a reliable combat roll.

You must be able to: 

• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Manage your personal care and mobility during 8 hours in and out of cold water.

Packraft and Kayak Coaching

All participants must be able to manage their personal care and mobility during 3 hours in and out of cold water. In addition...

Flatwater courses:

• Packrafters must have properly outfitted boats and be able to perform a wet exit.
• Kayakers must have flotation bags and a reliable wet exit.

River courses:

• Able to navigate rapids rated Class II+ or higher.
• Swiftwater Rescue Training, Packraft Safety & Rescue training, equivalent courses, or
  equivalent experience.
• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Packrafters must have properly outfitted boats and be able to perform a wet re-entry.
• Kayakers must have flotation bags and a reliable combat roll.

Ice Rescue Training

Ice Rescue Training involves cold water immersion—you should not participate if you have a history of heart disease or arrhythmia. Cold water immersion can also trigger asthma and other respiratory distress.

You must be able to: 

• Walk on slippery ice.
• Crawl on hands and knees.
• Climb onto the ice shelf from the water (similar to climbing out of a swimming pool without a ladder).
• Manage your personal warmth, care, and mobility during 3 hours in and out of cold water in Alaska's winter.