Rescue Watercraft Operator Course

One water rescue tool that can have a positive impact on your response area and reach many of the victims prior to them drowning is commonly known as a personal watercraft (PWC). There are many PWCs or Jetski’s that can be outfitted with trained rescue personnel and appropriate equipment to make it a rescue watercraft (RWC) that can quickly, easily, and professionally meet the needs of your community.

RWCs have many positive attributes that make them an attractive for firefighters, law enforcement, lifeguard, search and rescue, the military and others whose job assignment is in an area where the potential for water rescue exists. One of the main reasons that agencies purchase RWCs is that they can cover a large distance quickly with minimal personnel in mildly rough conditions. This is where is an RWC shines over all other rescue watercraft. Whether it is a lake, oceanfront surf, bay, fast-moving river, or tidal area, this type of craft can go across a lake/pond into tidal or other ocean areas or up or down river for a hasty search. It can also transport gear or personnel very quickly as long as they have room to get up on plane.

The Rescue Watercraft (RWC) Operator course is designed to be taught in a three-day format with 1 day classroom and 2 days situational field / on water training. The course is designed for public safety agency personnel such as firefighters, law enforcement, lifeguard, search and rescue, the military and others whose job assignment is in an area where the potential for water rescue exists. Primary emphasis is placed on rescuer safety and survival. 

Topics will include ocean, surf, inlet, lake, river and moving water dynamics; near shore hazards and problems; incident management and command, transport, set up, launch and retrieval procedures for RWC; construction, maintenance and repair of RWC and operations and rescue techniques for which the RWC is used in a variety of environmental conditions.  The course teaches the basic skills for both operator and rescue crewman.  It will enable the students to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize the craft more safely and effectively.

 Prerequisites:

• Minimum Age of 18
• NASBLA or equivalent boating safety certificate
• Surf and or Swiftwater rescue training preferred
• Agency approval to attend course

Course:

• 24 hours (3 days) total
• Course Fee: $920.00 USD
• Minimum class size of 6 required

Equipment Requirements:

• Personal watercraft with rescue sled for training
• Wetsuit or dry suit
• Water rescue helmet with headlamp
• USCG Type III or V PFD with waterproof whistle
• Thick soled water shoe or boots
• Short bladed fins
• Gloves

SAS Water Safety Customized Programs make it possible to meet your department or agencies special training needs. Together, we will develop and present a customized program, with a schedule that best fits your department or agency. These custom programs will vary in duration and tuition, depending on the selected topics. Courses already listed can be combined to meet your needs.

SAS Water Safety Hosting Program makes it easy and economical for you to bring one of our training programs to your community. Choose a program that best suits the training needs of your agency or team and the teams of the surrounding area. Call us with several dates that would fit the schedule of your team. We will send you the paperwork and publicize your program in print and on this Web Site.

SAS Water Safety offers certification through SAS and other nationally recognized organizations and agencies. In addition, all SAS Water Safety offers certification through SAS and other nationally recognized organizations and agencies. In addition, all of our courses compliant with and meet or exceed NFPA 1006 (2021) 2400 (2019) and 2500 (2022) standards and integrate FEMA standards for position qualification for search and rescue operations.

For complete course descriptions or additional information: SAS Water Safety