On July 21-23, 3006, LVRS Water Rescue Team personnel completed Swiftwater Rescue training at Great Falls, Virginia. This is a recurring program that we require all our swiftwater rescue personnel to complete every two years, and once again Rescue3 Virginia and George Lewis didn’t disappoint. This is probably the most physically demanding, but also most highly enjoyed training course that the team completes.
Following an initial day of classroom material, the Team completed evolutions requiring all manners of rescue, from rope throwbags and shore-based techniques, to rescue swimmers, rope highline systems, and boat deployments. The class was even lucky enough to get a quick visit from the US Park Police Eagle 1 helicopter, the unit that regularly assists with Potomac River gorge rescues. This provided the opportunity for the rescue swimmers to understand first-hand just how much prop-wash gets splashed up when the helicopter is hovering only 15 feet above the water.
This training accomplished biannual recertification for existing water rescue team personnel, and provided initial certification for new team members. In all 11 personnel completed the training from Company 49, and 9 personnel from Company 22.
