Surface water rescue training - aerial view of inflatable rescue boat

Operations

2 Days

SURFACE WATER RESCUE OPERATIONS

Shore-based and limited in-water contact rescues in calm or slow water—lakes, ponds, marinas, and retention basins.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This 2-day Surface Water Rescue Operations course moves you from "I know water is dangerous" to "I can safely perform shore-based and limited in-water/contact rescues in calm or slow water, as part of a trained team."

Focus is on still and slow-moving water—lakes, ponds, marinas, canals, reservoirs, retention basins—not technical current or flood water. You'll run a ton of reps on entries, approaches, victim contact, and small-platform operations where appropriate (boards/boats), with strong emphasis on risk management and crew communication.

The curriculum follows industry best practices and aligns with operations-level expectations in NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500 for surface water and flood rescue, delivered in blunt, tactical language.

Surface water training - team preparing inflatable boat

Surface water rescue - shore team managing tethered swimmer

Aerial view of inflatable rescue boat operations

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

Fire, EMS, SAR, and law enforcement with surface water rescue responsibility

Agencies with public swim areas, marinas, and lakefront communities

Departments stepping up from awareness-only to a basic, organized surface water rescue capability

Personnel who already have Surface Water Awareness and need hands-on operations skills

CORE SKILLS & OBJECTIVES

Scene Size-Up & Safety

Perform surface water–specific size-up: access, hazards, water conditions, platforms, and visibility

Establish hot/warm/cold zones and safe access/egress points

Integrate into ICS as a Surface Water/Rescue Group

Personal Survival & Movement

Perform safe water entries appropriate to conditions and policies

Use basic swimming and positioning skills for calm to moderate water

Use simple flotation aids/boards to stabilize victims and rescuers

In-Water Contact Rescues

Approach, contact, and stabilize conscious and panicked victims

Use rescue boards, small craft, or other platforms for short-range operations

Move victims from water to shore, dock, or platform and transition to EMS care

Boats & Platforms – Ops-Level

Safely operate as crew on small rescue craft in calm to modest conditions

Assist with victim recovery to small boats, docks, or fixed structures

Understand limits of small platforms in wind, waves, darkness, and cold

TRAINING METHODS

Focused classroom blocks on risk, hydrology/light wind/chop, ICS, and tactics

High-repetition practical stations: entries, approaches, victim contact, throw bags, board/boat-based pickups

Compressed scenario work: single- and limited multi-victim events, including low-light if possible

Immediate feedback on technique, communication, and decision making

PREREQUISITES & PPE

Prerequisites:

Surface Water Rescue Awareness (or equivalent)
Comfort in deep water and basic swimming ability

Required PPE (per AHJ):

Type III or Type V rescue PFD
Water rescue helmet
Appropriate thermal protection (wetsuit or drysuit, as needed)
Closed-toe water footwear
Gloves, eye protection, and agency-required PPE

COMPLIANCE & DOCUMENTATION

The course is designed to align with operations-level surface water competencies in NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500.

Students who meet skills and scenario objectives receive a Surface Water Rescue Operations – 2 Day completion certificate documenting hours, skills, and scenario participation. Final task-book sign-off and deployment authority rest with the AHJ.

$250

per student

View upcoming dates on our schedule

Course Details

Duration

2 Days (16-20 hours)

Prerequisites

Surface Water Awareness

Minimum Enrollment

8 Students

Certification

NFPA 1006/2500 Aligned

Questions?

Need help choosing the right course level or want to discuss agency training options?

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