Rescue 3

water &

Flood Awareness

Water &
Flood Awareness

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.

Who is this course 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.

Location

The course is delivered in a classroom setting, providing a controlled environment to effectively cover theoretical components and practical discussions. This super-accessible course is based on the South Coast in Swanage, Dorset. Easy access via road or train. We’ll even pick you up from the train station for free.

Pre-requisites

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in the AW course, making it accessible to all individuals seeking to enhance their water and flood awareness. This inclusivity ensures that anyone, regardless of prior experience, can gain the vital knowledge offered in this program.

Course Dates 2025

Autumn 2025

Course Content

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

Defra Level

Module 1 – Water Awareness – General water safety awareness training and basic land-based rescue techniques

Qualification valid for:

3 years

Accredited by Rescue 3

More about the course

By participating in the Water and Flood Awareness course, individuals will be better prepared to identify water-related hazards and understand the foundational techniques of water rescue, thereby promoting safety and efficiency in their respective roles.
Upon completion, participants will have a comprehensive awareness of water safety, ensuring they can recognize risks and support rescue teams effectively.

Get in touch if your team would benefit from a bespoke training date. We may be able to come to you if you have a group of candidates looking toupskill or revalidate.

Land & Wave is an approved Rescue 3 provider, delivering a variety of training courses in Dorset. With over 15 years experience in the outdoor industry, our instructors have experienced plenty of training courses in their professional lives – we know what makes a course great. We believe in delivering excellent professional training courses, that are hands-on and engaging.