Missoula City Fire Department: Spring Refresher

On Wednesday the 29th of April, Missoula City Fire Department conducted their spring swiftwater refresher. Montana River Guides owner and WRI Instructor Mike Johnston coordinated the course. MRG guide Tommy Snyder, and Search and Rescue volunteers Elise Lowe and Becca Wallace came out to help make this a great day of training. Thanks guys! The firefighters got a chance to dust off their swiftwater skills and practice scenarios at Jacobs Island, Van Buren St Bridge and the diversion dam upstream of California Street. A special thank you to Missoula City Fire for your service to our community. Watch the video below to see how the training went!

April 17-19, Powell QRU: Swiftwater Rescue

Many thanks to the Powell QRU and Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures for hosting a great course on the Lochsa River. We had a bit of snow, a little rain, and perfect Idaho whitewater--could not have asked for a better weekend. Participants got the chance to riverboard and swim the waters of the Lochsa. Thanks again, and keep it safe out there.

April 24-26, Blackfoot SRT

On April 17-19, Montana River Guides hosted a Swiftwater Rescue Technician course on the Blackfoot River. Much of the time was spent at Round-up Rapid, where students learned the basics of swiftwater rescue. The course was a great success with the help of volunteers Alan Bergmuller of Hamilton, Montana and Jim Biesel of Malmstrom Airforce Base. Thanks you guys for all your help! And a big thanks to the students for your enthusiastic participation. Here is a short video...enjoy.

Swiftwater Rescue Course: Rexburg, Idaho

On April 9-11, the Whitewater Rescue Institute taught a course on the Falls River of Idaho. Brigham Young University Outdoor Program and guides from Jackson, Wyoming's Solitude Raft Company attended. Below students describe their experience. Thanks to the everyone for making it such a great class!

Costa Rican Swiftwater

On February 25-27, the Whitewater Rescue Institute held a course on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Partnered with Aerie Backcountry Medicine and Coast to Coast Adventures, this course provided students with an exotic, exciting and warm environment to learn the fundamentals of river rescue. Below is a brief video of the course.

Former Swiftwater Student Saves Life

Branden Stevens, a former swiftwater student, was involved in a dramatic rescue on the Tounge River this winter. His efforts in the ice covered river saved the life of the occupant of this car.

Branden said "I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TRAINING THAT YOU PROVIDED! Without it, the patient would have died for sure, we had no water rescue training prior to me attending your course in may of 2007."