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Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator (SFRBO)

The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator training course is intended for emergency services or rescue teams who will be required to carry out rescues in a swiftwater and flood environment. This course incorporates all elements from the FRBO course and adds a swiftwater capability suitable for fast moving rivers and flash flood conditions. It is based on the philosophy of self-protection and application of low to high risk solutions.

Course length:

30 hours (5 days)

The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Boat Operator course can also be run as a 4-day add-on module from the RBO, or International Certificate of Competence or equivalent national course, eg RYA powerboating level 2. It can be run as a 3-day add-on module from the FRBO course.

Prerequisites:

Course content includes:

  • Rescue 3 philosophy
  • Water rescue training standards
  • Personal equipment
  • Dynamic risk assessment and incident size-up
  • Pre-planning
  • Medical and decontamination considerations
  • Navigation and route planning
  • Communications
  • Crew operational roles
  • Multiple boat operations
  • Floodwater dynamics and hazards
  • Boat, hull and drive types
  • Rescue boat equipment
  • Pre- and post-trip checks
  • Vehicles in water
  • Working with helicopters
  • Launching and recovery
  • Boat handling under power
  • Boat handling with paddles
  • Towing
  • Anchoring/securing
  • Wading with boats
  • Tethered boats
  • Night/poor visibility operations
  • Search operations
  • Flips and rights
  • Team/personal recovery
  • Casualty pick-up and recovery
  • Casualty management
  • Boat-based conditional rescues
  • Transporting loads
  • Boat-based stretcher management
  • Rescues from elevated positions
  • Boat-based tethered rescues
  • Boat wraps
  • Hydraulic and weir considerations

Course standard, learning outcomes and key teaching points

Rescue 3 Europe course standards, learning outcomes and key teaching points

The course standards, learning outcomes and key teaching points are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.

Defra module

Module 4 – Water Rescue Power Boat Operator – Rescue boat operation

View all Rescue 3 Europe Defra module courses

Taught by:

Student resources

Student resources for Rescue 3 courses can be accessed here.

Instructor resources

Instructor resources for Rescue 3 courses can be accessed here.

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Related Courses

Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT)

Flood Rescue Boat Operator (FRBO)

Rescue Boat Operator (RBO)