COURSE OVERVIEW​​

The Ice Rescue Technician (IRT) course provides essential, scenario-based training for emergency responders who may need to perform rescues on frozen lakes, ponds, or slow movin rivers. This course recognizes the truth that most ice rescues begin after the ice has already failed. As such, it doesn't focus on ice formation or ice thickness analysis. Instead, it prepares rescuers for what really matters in those moments: staying alive and saving lives on dangerous, unstable ice.

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Participants gain a solid understanding of ice dynamics, but the core of the training is hands-on practice in challenging winter conditions. Skills are taught progressively — starting with personal safety, then advancing to team-based rescues using specialized equipment and techniques.

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Key training components include:

• Self-rescue skills: getting yourself out of the ice

• Approaching and rescuing victims safely

• Use of throwbags, ice awls, sleds, and tethered systems

• Team-based rescue strategies

• Incident scene safety, communication, and coordination

• Medical considerations for cold water immersion, including packaging and extrication

• Awareness of moving water under ice and how it affects rescue tactics

• Scenario-based practice in realistic environments

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TRAIN WHERE YOU OPERATE

Just like with our other rescue courses, we offer flexible training locations (if temperatures allow us). With enough participants from one unit, we can deliver the training near your operational area – on your local lake – so you train where you’re most likely to respond.

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REAL SKILLS FOR REAL MISSION

If your team frequently deals with fast-flowing rivers, open leads, or ice over dynamic water, we recommend continuing your training with the Ice Rescue Technician Advanced (IRTA) course.

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CONTACT HOURS:​​​​

12 hours (2 days)

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​PREREQUISITES:​

• Must be confident swimmer​

• Minimum age 18​

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QUALIFICATION VALID FOR:​​​​

3 years