Frequently asked questions.

Anyone who leads wilderness trips that involve water such as canoeing, kayaking and backpacking (that plan to swim). Teachers from outdoor education centers also have found the course to be very useful.

The minimum age for a Wilderness Water Safety participant is 17 but most participants tend to be older. Average age is probably early to mid 20s but many students are in the 30s and beyond. If you are still leading trips you will fit in just fine.

Yes, students trained in Lifeguarding are trained to work in a pool, or beach or camp waterfront or water park or water attractions. The wilderness environment requires a very different training. Typically trained lifeguards get the most out of the course because the principles are the same but the challenge comes from undertaking prevention and rescues in the wilderness environment.

You need to be able to swim as part of the class involves learning to rescue someone in the water on the surface and under the surface of the water. Your swimming skills will be evaluated at the beginning of the course. You will need a good freestyle (front crawl) or breaststroke and a strong kick using a sidestroke, whip kick (elementary backstroke kick) or egg beater. We will provide some limited swim instruction time and swim about 300-500 yards during the beginning of the course. You will also need to demonstrate a high level of comfort in the water.

Yes, we will be recovering objects and other class members from a minimum of 8 feet of water.

Yes, the skills are taught primarily in a lake. Rescue techniques are very different for rescuers in the lake. In cold temps some of the courses may be taught in a pool but we will check off skills in the lake.

Two Years

No, wilderness trip leaders need more extensive training than we provide during the Wilderness Water Safety course. There is a lot to cover in the two day Wilderness Water Safety Course.