Contact us for further details, dates or enquiries.
- 5 Days decending one of the most picturesque white water river in the UK!
- A Rescue 3 White Water Rescue Tecnician - Foundation Qualification.
Plus!
- Bucket loads of tips, tricks, skills and the knowledge to take yourself out there and run your own White Water Expeds!
What's not to love?
Course Structure
5 days is not a lot of time to cover the huge range of factors that will underpin you gaining the skills to undertake multi-day WW Packraft Expeditions in the UK and beyond.
To this end the Course is designed to allow you to understand and demonstrate several key elements that will allow you to develop your expedition skills. To get the most from the time on the course we will assign each candidate several tasks in the months prior.
These tasks are designed to be interesting and not odious. They match what you would normally do prior to embarking on any expedition and will complement the Course Learning Outcomes and will ensure you gain the most from our time together. What's more its fully supported by our on-line google classroom suite.
The Pre-Course tasks are as follows:
- Equipment: Needs vs Wants. Utility and Safety.
- Nutrition: Eating well, easily.
- Route Selection and Planning. Your route idea and itinerary.
As you can see, these will naturally form your build up for attending the course and therefore should not take much additional time to undertake. We ask that these tasks are be completed prior to attending the Course. Don't worry - yopu be working with your =fellow candidates, us and we'll have reguklar chats and meets to discuss and support you.
The Course will be split into the following phases:
- Pre-Course preparation.
- Rescue and Water Skills – Rescue 3 Europe Whitewater Rescue Technician Foundation Award.
- Expedition.
- Debriefs and action plans.
A full list of Course Learning Outcomes can be found below.
Course Learning Outcomes Overview.
The following is a list of the learning outcomes covered on the course:
- Be able to identify credible route options for a multi-day packrafting journey including access and environmental issues.
- Decide on a route that is likely to meet the wants and needs of the individuals and the group.
- Know how to select and appropriate range of equipment for their intended route.
- Understand the potential impact of equipment failure and identify spares, repair or mitigation.
- Stow equipment safely: clean and simple outfitting and eliminate any entrapment hazards.
- Carry out appropriate pre-paddling checks.
- Minimise impact on the environment.
- Identify river features, including best lines to take and hazards which are best avoided.
- Be able to effectively manoeuvre a packraft with an expedition load in grade 2 water.
- Be able to effectively assess future water.
- Employ effective Communication, Line of Sight, Avoidance and Position of Most Usefulness tactics.
- Make dynamic risk assessments, considering consequence in a remote environment.
- Be able to effectively transition between land and water.
- Be able to stow and carry packrafting gear for overland journeys.
- Use appropriate navigational techniques and tactics to progress overland or water.
- Choose appropriate overland equipment.
- Know what to do in the event of an incident or emergency.
- Apply STVE priorities of rescue and use the SRTRG model to minimise risk to rescuers.
- Deploy suitable rescue methods to deal with an incident.
- Provide essential first aid to an injured or ill person.
- Effectively exit an upturned packraft.
- Be a proactive participant in own rescue.
- Prepare appropriate food including suitable nutrition for their intended journey.
- Identify an appropriate range of camping equipment for the season and weather forecast.
- Maintain appropriate Hygiene measures throughout the journey.
- Leave no Trace and effectively manage waste.
White Water Packraft Expedition Paddler
Packrafting and Safety Equipment.
This is a more advanced course designed for people who already posess some skills and packrafting equipment. So thsi list is just a guide - we'll discuss and agree you gear list in the build up to the expedition.
Equipment A list of equipment is included below. The environment in the UK can change quickly and so you must prepare accordingly. We assume that you will have most of packrafting gear - dont worry if you're missing items, as we have a huge store of expedition ready gear for you to hire at reduced rates - we've got your back!
- Packraft. (Can be hired - £10 per day)
- Paddle. (Can be hired - £5 per day - free with packraft)
- Drybags.
- Water rescue knife, saw.
- Throwline. (Can be hired).
- Swimline. (Can be hired).
- WW Helmet. (Can be hired).
- WW Certified Bouyancy Aid. (Can be hired).
You will need to bring / wear:
- A warm fleece top or insulated jacket.
- A base-layer (a non-cotton t-shirt).
- ‘Outdoor’ type trousers (Not denim - synthetic track suit bottoms are fine).
- Thermals
- Warm hat and some gloves
- Waterproof Jacket. (Essential – even on warm sunny days).
- Waterproof trousers. (Essential – even on warm sunny days).
- Walking shoes or boots.
- Water shoes (these will get wet! An old pair of trainers is perfect)
- A rucksack to carry your gear (it will need to carry your safety gear and boat too – so make sure its has plenty of space! 50l rucksacks are normally more than adequate.
- A watertight liner or dry bag for inside your rucksack.
- A spare change of clothes (carried) x 2.
- Food and drink for the day. (A hot sweet drink in a small flask is a good idea, especially if it’s a bit chilly out.)
- Sunglasses, sun hat, sun screen (as required).
- Personal medication. You must take any medication you may require with you and show it to us at the start of your adventure, so we know where it is if you need it!
- Wash kit including a small towel.
- Tent - (2 person superlight weight tents can be hired for £30 per Tent)
- Sleeping bag suitable for the season.
- Sleeping mat.
- Cooking Stove and fuel.
- Cooking pots and eating implements.
- Food and drink for evening meal and breakfast.
- Torch and spare set of batteries. (Not mobile phone torch!)
- A small bag for rubbish.
- Sufficient toilet paper and sanitary products.
- Lighter or matches.
Please do not wear cotton tops or bottoms as the material stays cold and heavy when wet.