Developed in 1989, Wilderness Water Safety is a response to a request from camp directors for an alternative to traditional Lifeguarding. Pools, beaches, wave pools etc. are designed for the purpose of providing a recreational setting in a safe manner.  Life Guards are training to function in these designed facilities. Wilderness settings provide a diverse set of conditions and circumstances very different than traditional recreational facilities. Wilderness Water Safety applies many of the traditional lifeguarding techniques to these settings in addition to the application of risk management skills for a wilderness environment.

• Click here to see a PDF of all 2010 HOC Skills Certification Courses.
  
• Use our Online Registration Form or our Printable Registration Form to register for all programming.
  
• Course Pre-requisite – Provider level CPR course and minimum or 8 hours of first aid training – preferably Wilderness First Aid.

The course is designed for individuals leading trips into remote locations and travelling by canoe or backpacking. Some of the content is appropriate for traditional camp waterfront directors or staff members; it should not take the place of training specific to working at a camp waterfront.

Since 1989, Wilderness Water Safety has been offered each year. Recently, there have been over 200 students per year completing the course from camps in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario.  The course is recognized by the American Camp Association as equivalent to Lifeguard training.

Dates:  May 29-30, 2010
Cost:  $215. Includes meals, lodging and course

Instructor:  

David Golden,  Wilderness Water Safety
Director, Public Health and Communications
University of Minnesota