Water Awareness and Safety (WAS) is a classroom-based course that looks at hazards and risks associated with inland (lakes, canals, rivers) and coastal water. It looks at basic control measures and safe working practices that can be introduced, including types of PPE and zoning to ensure workers understand the dangers of water and how to avoid accidental immersion.
This course is designed for people tasked with working near water but who will not be expected to work within 3m of the water’s edge and will not necessarily be issued with any water PPE.
The comparable course for those supporting rescue teams is Water and Flood Awareness (AW).
3.5 hours (0.5 days)
Rescue 3 Europe
The Lifejacket Competent User course is designed for workers who are issued with a lifejacket and who are expected to work near water as part of their job function, but do not wish to complete a full Safe Working Near Water course. This is either because they already have a Water Awareness and Safety course or they only wish to know how to don and doff a lifejacket and care for it.
It is not intended that these workers will enter the water as part of their work, and a manual- or auto-inflation lifejacket is issued as PPE for accidental water entry only, though the course will cover this possibility practically to ensure workers are prepared for the event if it does happen
Workers requiring a more comprehensive working near- or in-water capability can take the Rescue 3 Europe Safe Working Near Water or Safe Working In Water course.
Rescue 3 Europe Industrial working on or near water learning outcomes and key teaching points (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
The Lifejackets for Emergency Services (LJES) course is designed for emergency service personnel who are issued with a lifejacket and who are expected to work near water and floods as part of their job function. They will only be expected to work within the warm or cold zone. This course also covers all elements of a Water and Flood Awareness (AW) (Defra Mod 1 course).
It is not intended that these personnel will enter the water as part of their deployment, and a manual- or auto-inflation lifejacket is issued as PPE for accidental water entry only, though the course will cover this possibility practically to ensure personnel are prepared for the event if it does happen. It includes a basic conditional rescue capability of their colleagues.
Personnel who need a more comprehensive course, including working in the hot zone can take the Rescue 3 Europe Swiftwater and Flood First Responder (SFR) course (Defra Mod 2).
Workers who aren’t part of the emergency/rescue services, who are issued with a lifejacket and work near water as part of their job function should take a Lifejacket Competent User (LJCU) or Safe Working Near Water (SWNW) course instead.
Rescue 3 Europe
The Safe Working In Water (SWIW) course is designed for people tasked with working in water who will need a self- and co-worker rescue capability using conditional rescue techniques, eg throwbags, wading techniques and reach poles. The target audience is EA, SEPA, NRW personnel, construction industry workers, road and bridge maintenance workers.
This course offers a higher level rescue capability than the Safe Working Near Water (SWNW) course.
Rescue 3 Europe
A classroom-based course, designed to provide personnel who may be working near water with sufficient knowledge to be aware of the hazards created by this environment, and develop an understanding of water rescue techniques. The Water and Flood Awareness course is for those supporting rescue teams. The comparable course for personnel within industry who may be called to work near water is Water Awareness and Safety (WAS).
6 hours (1 day)
Rescue 3 Europe – Emergency Responders and Rescue Teams standards (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
Module 1 – Water Awareness – General water safety awareness training and basic land-based rescue techniques
View all Rescue 3 Europe Defra module courses
3 years
The Basic Water Rescuer course is designed for personnel who may be deployed to a basic (still) water environment, such as lakes, ponds and canals, where they may be required to undertake rescues.
12 hours (2 days)
Rescue 3 Europe – Emergency Responders and Rescue Teams standards (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
3 years
The Basic Water Rescuer – Foundation course is designed for personnel who may be deployed to a basic (still) water environment, such as lakes, ponds and canals, where they may be required to undertake simple rescues using basic equipment. For using more equipment-intensive elements, including rescue platforms, sleds and boards, students should undertake the Basic Water Rescuer (BWR) course.
6 hours (1 days)
Rescue 3 Europe – Emergency Responders and Rescue Teams standards (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
3 years
As well as being prepared to work around the water and undertake bank based and shallow water wading rescues, one of the main roles of a First Responder is to support the teams of Swiftwater Rescue Technicians at an incident. To enable this, a responder will have the ability to self rescue, skills in shallow water working, basic boat handling and basic rope work.
A First Responder will be expected to help and support in technical rescue, but will not be expected to perform them. This may include providing downstream safety cover or assistance with casualty handling. Flooding operations may include evacuation of people from properties using shallow water working skills. At a scene of major flooding the Technicians may be in short supply and utilised for technical rescues. Therefore it is First Responders who will be used to undertake the majority of evacuations and safety provision.
12 hours (2 days)
Rescue 3 Europe – Emergency Responders and Rescue Teams standards (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
Module 2 – Water First Responder – To work safely near and in water using land-based and wading techniques.
View all Rescue 3 Europe Defra module courses
3 years
The Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT) course complies with Defra Module 3 content requirements, and for many years has been seen as the benchmark training course for swiftwater and flood rescue teams. This training course is intended for personnel who may be required to carry out rescues in a swiftwater and flood environment, including emergency services personnel and mountain rescue teams.
24 hours (4 days)
Rescue 3 Europe – Emergency Responders and Rescue Teams standards (PDF)
The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
Module 3 – Water Rescue Technician – Specialist rescue operation
View all Rescue 3 Europe Defra module courses
3 years
The Safe Working Near Water course is designed for people tasked with working near water and who will be issued with lifejackets but will not be expected to intentionally enter the water, eg EA, SEPA, NRW personnel, construction industry workers, road and bridge maintenance workers.
Rescue 3 Europe
Rescue 3 Europe Industrial working on or near water learning outcomes and key teaching points (PDF)
The course standards, learning outcomes and key teaching points are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.
