PRO-I Swiftwater | North Bend, WA April 26 – 27, 2025

Join our Swiftwater Rescue North Bend for hands-on PRO-level training. This course is for those who need certification for employment, such as professional guides. Additionally, it’s open to recreational river users who wish to train at a faster pace, designed for the PRO track. You must already have intermediate to advanced skills in river flow mechanics, swimming, and terminology. If you don’t have prior swiftwater training, consider the REC-I course, which is better suited for beginners. We will conduct a practical exam on day one, and students must demonstrate proficiency to continue. Learn more about our Swiftwater Rescue North Bend and the certification requirements for raft guides and outdoor professionals.

COURSE DETAILS

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR: This course targets professionals wishing to pursue the PRO track. It’s ideal for commercial river guides, SAR members, technical rescue team members, and others looking to advance their swiftwater rescue skills. 

ONLINE COMPONENT: Yes – Required

NFPA 1006 & 1670 COMPLIANT: No

COURSE FORMAT: This is a 2-day PRO-I course, with 2 hours of online training required before the course start. The in-field training spans 8 hours each day, totaling 18 hours of class time.

WHEN: April 26 – 27, 2025

WHERE: North Bend, WA

FIELD SITE: Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

INSTRUCTOR: Nicky Gallo

PREREQUISITES:

1. Proficient swimmer

2. Physically capable

3. Desire to learn

4. Pass online training with a minimum 80%

5. All of the necessary PPE

6. Meet all Essential Eligibility Criteria

GEAR FOR THIS COURSE:

The welcome packet provides details about the gear you will need. As an SSI student, you can access student pricing in the SSI Gear Shop! Once you register you’ll have access to the shop through your SSI account.

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

The PRO-I Swiftwater Rescue North Bend is designed for those requiring certification for employment, such as professional river guides. This course teaches rescue techniques, focusing on limited resources in various river settings. It meets the needs of professional river guides, USFS, NPS, Search and Rescue teams, field biologists, and BLM employees. Additionally, the course is open to recreational river users wishing to train on the PRO track and gain access to the PRO-II course, not available through the REC track.

The PRO-I course focuses on personal safety, decision-making, risk management, and problem-solving in a team environment with limited resources and communication with outside parties. This course is tailored for varying skill levels. Whether you’re a professional guide or a seasonal contractor, you’ll benefit from the rescue techniques and concepts covered in this course. Self-rescue, hazard recognition, and avoidance are key components of this swiftwater course.