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Southwest Rescue Courses

Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician Advanced – Durango Area – 05/30/2026

By September 28, 2025No Comments

Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician Advanced
Durango Area • May 30, 2026

Registration

$600 due upon registration
Course starts May 30, 2026

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Course Provider

Rescue 3 International

Full Dates: May 30, 2026 – June 1, 2026
Duration: 3 days (24 hours)
Price: $600

Prerequisite, Swiftwater Rescue Technician. This class meets the NFPA 2500 Standard for training. Class will meet 0800-1700 on May 30, 0800-1700 & 2030-2330 May 31, and 0800-1500 June 1.

Course Description

This Rescue 3 International Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician Advanced (SRTA) course builds on the skills learned in the Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT), taking the students beyond the emphasis on self-rescue to concentrate on victim rescue. Students are exposed to more complex water rescue situations including a mock night river rescue scenario. The three-day course includes 4-6 hours of classroom instruction, followed by two and one-half days of hands-on skill development.

Students are introduced to the role and utilization of various skills in river and flood rescue, including:

  • rope systems
  • management of litter & patient raising systems
  • highline systems
  • advanced river search concepts
  • performing rescues at night or in low visibility
  • and basic flood disaster management

Prerequisites:

Location and Logistics

Durango
Durango, CO 81301
United States

Taught in the Greater Durango area.

Lead Instructor

Aaron Kent

Aaron Kent is the owner and lead instructor for Southwest Rescue. Aaron has been working in first response and outdoor education since 2010. He is a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer in Ropes, Water, and Ice Rescue, and is an Instructor Trainer for the Wilderness Medical Training Center International. He is an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities nationwide and has worked in international public health and expedition leadership for most of his professional career. He is also the regional director for the Southwest Region of Rescue 3 International.

When not teaching courses, Aaron has an obsession with whitewater paddle boarding and any other sport that gets him into the beautiful backcountry of the San Juan Mountains. He serves on the La Plata County Search and Rescue Team and is a Firefighter/EMT with the Durango Fire Protection District. He has a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education and is passionate about cross-cultural experiences.