Surface Water Rescue — BASIC
Fundamental in-water rescue skills: safe casualty approach, rescue equipment, towing and recovery from the water.
WOD-04
Rescue Craft Operations
Specialist · 8–16 × 45 min
Rescue operations from boats and other rescue craft: crew coordination, casualty recovery and transport.
Training enquiriesThis specialist module focuses on teams operating from rescue craft. Scope and duration depend on the craft, operational tasks and participants’ experience.
Training scope
- Manoeuvring and positioning the craft for a rescue approach.
- Recovering conscious, exhausted and unconscious casualties.
- Task allocation and coordination between the helm and rescuer.
- Person-overboard procedures and emergency response.
- Bringing a casualty aboard and securing them.
- Casualty transport and preparation for handover.
- Using rescue equipment from the craft.
- Coordination between craft, shore personnel and medical teams.
Skills developed during training
Participants practise the sequence from approach to casualty handover. The module covers surface water rescue and does not replace separate preparation for flood or swiftwater boat operations.
Who we train
Teams conducting or preparing for rescue operations from watercraft.
How we train
Crew coordination drills, casualty recovery and transport exercises, and emergency scenarios with debriefing.
Settings and connections
Craft and water selected for the programme. Links to surface rescue and medical care following recovery.
Complementary skills
Surface Water Rescue — ADVANCED
Complex surface water operations: combining techniques, organising teams and coordinating rescuers, shore personnel and rescue craft.
These links indicate complementary topics. Participation requirements are described under Prerequisites.