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Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19896

For organizing river trips and being a coordinator, what extra qualifications would be beneficial? I don't really hear too many people talking about being certified for Swift Water Rescue. I was curious what everyone thought would be important extra qualifications for paddling and leading trips.

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19917

Id say that Swiftewater rescue 1 and 2 are great qualifications to have, especially if you are leading the trip...

Also First aid and/or Wilderness First responder, EMT Basic

some say CPR... well take it from me...without early defib' 99.9% of the time it is a waste of time. If things go that far and you're out in the middle of nowhere by the time you can get them to advanced care its waaaayyyyyyy too late.

Now Im not saying that learning CPR is a waste of time...Far from it... Actually I would encourage anybody to learn CPR. Just dont count on it to bring people back to life like on TV...

Good topic and not discussed enough IMO

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19932

So what sort of orginizations offer these courses? I'm talking to a friend of mine in the local Volunteer Fire Department to get the Swift Water 1, but are there any other orginizations to go through to obtain these certifications?

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19933

Swiftwater Rescue

www.greenriveradventures.com/kayak-instr...wiftwater-rescue.php

That is offered by Green River Adventures.

IM sure the NOC has a course.... Id look into Rescue 3 international...thats who I certified through.

Just learning a few knots and how to set up a z-drag is incredibly helpful...

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19958

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on CPR I heard of an incident only the other day over here where a person was saved by CPR, had been taken from a big stopper unconscious, so definitely Worth knowing.

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19962

there was an incident in which CPR brought someone back in Massachusetts in summer of 2006 (I was standing at the top of the takeout road waiting to direct the ambulance in the right place)

The negative statistics that people often quote about CPR not helping are based on the most common cause of heart failure to be heart disease. Yes. It's tough to restart a sick heart.

BUT, in the context of water, in which an external force (not sickness) caused the heart to stop, there is a great chance that CPR will be a life saver.

Stats are nice, at least for studying trends, but if CPR saves one person, then it's worth all the effort. Would you rather have people try to save you, or have them say \"eh, probably wont' work anyway...\"?

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19963

real leadership skills are important.
all too often I have seen clubs with \"certified\" members all trying to do things by the book and arguing with each other. When the shit hits the fan, someone has to be able to keep a calm demeanor and make some decisions that put safety first.

Basic First Aid
CPR
practice with the throwbag
have a river knife on you
and a basic first aid kit
are all essential

Swiftwater rescue is great, and will help you keep your head because you will have practised.

Wilderness First Responder is key if you are going to be more than a couple hours away from a major road.

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Re:Extra Qualifications 17 years 11 months ago #19966

I figure common sence is the most important thing that you can have.

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