Introduction to Water and Flood Awareness – Understanding theRescue 3 philosophy, training standards, and best practices for water rescueHydrology & Water Hazards – Identifying potential dangers in moving and still water environmentsPersonal and Team Equipment – Understanding the use and limitations of water rescue gearPre-Planning & Risk Assessment – Developing skills to assess risk and pre-plan for water-related incidentsIncident Management & Site Control – Managing safety at an incident site, including communication protocolsFloodwater Dynamics & Hazards – Learning how floods behave and the unique risks they poseMedical Considerations & Decontamination – Understanding health risks associated with water rescue and proper decontamination proceduresDry Land Conditional Rescue Techniques – Practicing safe rescue techniques from dry land without entering the water

water & flood awareness

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5.0 · 1,026 reviews on Tripadvisor

Duration 1-Days

group size 1 to 12 people

price £147+VAT

Level DEFRA Module 1

The course

The Water and Flood Awareness (AW) course is a comprehensive, classroom-based program designed to equip individuals working near water environments with essential knowledge of associated hazards and foundational water rescue techniques. This course is particularly beneficial for those supporting rescue teams, providing them with the skills to recognise and mitigate risks in various water-related scenarios.

Spanning 6 hours over a single day, the AW course delves into topics such as:

Rescue 3 Philosophy
Training Standards
Best Practice Guidelines for Water Rescue
Hydrology and Water Hazards
Personal and Team Equipment
Pre-Planning and Risk Assessments
Incident Management and Site Control
Medical and Decontamination Considerations
Floodwater Dynamics and Hazards
Dry Land Practice of Conditional Rescues

Upon successful completion, participants receive a certification valid for 3 years, aligning with Defra Module 1 – Water Awareness standards.

Get a Rescue 3 Europe certificate that's recognised worldwide and valid for 3 years
Module 1 – Water Awareness – General water safety awareness training and basic land-based rescue techniques
Practise swimming rescues, rope systems, tethered boats and vehicle rescues
Train in small groups with expert instructors, with all specialist kit included

What you'll learn

What's Included

Introduction to Water and Flood Awareness – Understanding the
Rescue 3 philosophy, training standards, and best practices for water rescue
Hydrology & Water Hazards – Identifying potential dangers in moving and still water environments
Personal and Team Equipment – Understanding the use and limitations of water rescue gear
Pre-Planning & Risk Assessment – Developing skills to assess risk and pre-plan for water-related incidents
Incident Management & Site Control – Managing safety at an incident site, including communication protocols
Floodwater Dynamics & Hazards – Learning how floods behave and the unique risks they pose
Medical Considerations & Decontamination – Understanding health risks associated with water rescue and proper decontamination procedures
Dry Land Conditional Rescue Techniques – Practicing safe rescue techniques from dry land without entering the water

What's included

Expert instructors

Friendly, qualified Land & Wave instructors who monitor conditions before and during every session.

All your kit

Palm Rescue Drysuit, Palm 850 buoyancy aid and helmet. Just bring clothes for under drysuit and trainers you don't mind getting wet.

Private Changing rooms

No more getting changed in a car park plus free lockers to stores your valuables.

A Stunning location

The course is based at our HQ in Swanage Dorset

Who it's for?

The AW course is tailored for individuals who may find themselves working near water bodies and need to be in tune with the potential dangers. It’s especially suitable for those in support roles within rescue operations, ensuring they possess the awareness to operate safely in water-adjacent environments. For industry personnel who might work near water but not directly support rescue teams, the Water Awareness and Safety (WAS) course is recommended.

Why Land & Wave

Land & Wave has a longstanding history in professional outdoor instructor training. Our instructors have a wide knowledge base, and decades of experience on the crag, in rivers and out at sea.

Our friendly crew hate nothing more than a dull training course, we promise to deliver engaging, thought provoking training courses. No beige powerpoints here!

Dorset’s central position in the South of England makes it easily reachable from major cities like London, Bristol, and Southampton, offering convenient travel options for participants across the UK.

The region’s varied waterways, including rivers, provide ideal conditions for realistic training scenarios.

This accessibility and natural diversity make Dorset an excellent hub for Swiftwater training, attracting both local and national participants.

What people Say

"Alex and his team were excellent teachers and very accommodating. Very much enjoyed doing my Rescue 3 Europe certification with them and would recommend them to anyone looking to learn or adventure. 11/10"

Chirs Holborrow

"I had a fantastic experience with this water safety training course. Alex was a brilliant instructor from start to finish—knowledgeable, engaging, and incredibly clear in his explanations. He created a supportive and confident learning environment, making sure everyone understood both the theory and the practical skills. The course was well-structured, hands-on, and genuinely enjoyable. I left feeling much more confident and prepared. Highly recommend this course, especially with Alex as the instructor."

Brad Warner

FAQs

Do I need any experience

You just need to be water confident and able to swim 25 metres.

IS there a minimum age?

Yes, you need to be 18 to join the Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician (SRT) training.

Where do we meet?

At Land & Wave’s HQ in Swanage. It’s 35 minutes from Bournemouth and about 2.5 hours from London.

What should I bring?

Activity clothes, layers for underneath your drysuit, a towel, and old trainers. We provide everything else.

Price

£147 + VAT per person

1-Days 08:30 to 16:30

Company No. 6806625

From £59 pp