Wilderness Water Safety Training

If you need a wilderness lifeguarding certification, look no further! This course is focused on risk management and rescue response training for wilderness trip leaders. Since 1989, Wilderness Water Safety has been training trip leaders to effectively manage and respond to water related emergencies in the backcountry. Scenario based learning puts the risk management and rescue skills in context. This course will be held at the North Lakeland Discovery Center for some of our staff members and members of the public who may wish to be certified. Upon completion of this course, the participant will receive certification good for 2 years. For more information about the course, please check the Wilderness Water Safety website, or contact Hannah@discoverycenter.net, 715-543-2085. Lodging is available for an additional fee, please contact Megan@discoverycenter.net or call 715-543-2085 for more information.

Course Objectives:

• Students will demonstrate the ability to assess risk for water emergencies in a backcountry setting.
• Students will understand and display the skills and application of appropriate techniques to execute rescue plans in emergency situation.
• Students will demonstrate the knowledge of a comprehensive understanding of emergency management for water emergencies in backcountry settings.
• Students will perform all rescue skills in a lake or river environment designed to simulate authentic conditions. 

Course Requirements:

• Attend the entire 16-20 hour course
• Minimum 17 years of age
• Participants will be required to demonstrate swimming competency in freestyle (front crawl) and/or breaststroke. In addition they must demonstrate a strong towing kick using a whip kick, scissors kick or egg beater kick.
• Participants will be required to perform a surface dive and swim to a depth of 8 feet or greater and recover an object in a lake environment.
• CPR and First Aid certifications are not part of Wilderness Water Safety. All participants must complete CPR and First Aid courses for the Wilderness Water Safety certification to be considered valid.

Space is limited and registration is required by 6/10/24.  Lunch is included as part of the registration fee for both days.  Wednesday 6/12/24 (9 am - 5 pm) and Thursday 6/13/24 (9 am - 5 pm). 

Please read our program and event registration and cancellation policy here.