Wilderness Water Safety

What is this course?

The Wilderness Water Safety course trains wilderness trip leaders to function as a lifeguard in a wilderness environment. Suitable training/certifications for “Water Safety Supervisor” requirements for OPHEA guidelines.

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

Because managing risks and responding to emergencies in the backcountry is different form traditional lifeguarding. Wilderness Water Safety graduates can be expected to become proficient in:

• Water risk management
• Managing risk through constant assessment of the changing conditions of the personnel, participants and environment.
• Supporting the risk management policies of your own organization and standards (ie. OPHEA or OCA)
• Utilizing skills that do not rely on typical lifeguard equipment such as rescue tubes, backboards, AEDs, and access to rapid response from emergency medical services.
• Appreciate the increased risks associated with a rescue in the backcountry such as water depth and lack of clarity, distance from shore, wind, and current.

Course Prerequisites/ Requirements:

• Minimum swimming level requirements (see below)
• Wilderness First Aid required to complete certification (can occur after the wilderness water safety course)
• Open to anyone age 17 and up

Swimming expectations:

Participants are expected to be very comfortable in the water including cold water sometimes 10°or little colder for short periods of time. Wetsuits are allowed for some of the activities in the water. 

Swimming ability is important and strokes will be evaluated to make sure participants are able to perform an effective stroke for moving quickly through the water such as a strong front crawl (freestyle) or breast stroke. A timed distance swim is not part of the class.

In addition, all participants will be required to perform a strong towing kick without the use of their arms. An egg beater, inverted whip kick (elementary backstroke), or scissors (sidestroke).

Participants will be required to be able to rescue and tow an unconscious swimmer 30 meters. In addition, they will be required to surface dive (foot first or head first) to a depth 3 meters or greater, recover an unconscious swimmer and tow them to safety.

For more information:

For more information on the Wilderness Water Safety Course please visit the course providers website: