WHITEWATER RESCUER -
PROGRAM C
BOVEC
7 DAYS
R3 WRT-PRO
ABOUT THE COURSE
The Drowning Prevention Institute (ZVU) is an officially accredited provider of Whitewater Rescue Training - Program C, certified by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR). The course for whitewater rescuer takes place every year in four scheduled terms — in April, May, June, and September, and is held in Bovec and its surroundings, on the Soča River or its tributaries. This program is a mandatory certification for professionals working on or near wild waters, such as rafting, kayaking, and canyoning guides in Slovenia, as required by the Drowning Prevention Act.
Designed with versatility in mind, the course focuses on preparing participants to respond effectively to challenging rescue scenarios, emphasizing personal safety, teamwork, and technical proficiency.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The training is conducted by the Drowning Prevention Institute – ZVU, officially authorized by the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Slovenia (URSZR) to conduct WRC training under the official state C program.
All trainings for the Whitewater Rescuers under program C (ZVU-WRTC) will be held in Bovec. They will take place at selected locations on the Soča and Koritnica rivers, and if necessary, also on other rivers in the Soča region. Each ZVU-WRTC course can include one night practice and one day of training at the kayaking center in Solkan near Nova Gorica, where the URSZR conducts exams for program C. The ZVU reserves the right to change the dates, places and locations of the training.
The price of ZVU Whitewater Rescuer Training Program C (ZVU-WRTC) is €670.00. VAT is not included in the price, as we are not liable for VAT.
The minimum number of applications for the ZVU-WRTC training is 6 and the maximum is 18 candidates. Reservation of places in the training is possible only by paying the registration fee.
Application Requirements:
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Minimum 18 years of age
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Medical certificate for water rescuers issued by a specialist in occupational, traffic, and sports medicine in the Republic of Slovenia
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Completed online application form
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Paid training fee
CONNECTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS
Part of the content of WRC training program overlaps with the content of the Rescue 3 Europe (R3E) program, therefore, participation in the WRC training also brings candidates the title of Whitewater Rescue Technician - Professional (WRT-PRO) according to the Rescue 3 Europe programs. The R3E WRT-PRO certificate is recognized in many European countries and elsewhere in the world, which meaningfully connects the knowledge acquired in Slovenia with the knowledge and standards that are in force abroad. All training participants receive a whistle and a whitewater rescue textbook in PDF format. Candidates who already have a valid R3 Europe/International certificate receive a €100 discount.
More information about the R3E programs is available on their website.
EXAM
The exam for obtaining the license for WRC is not part of the training. The exam is official state exam which is conducted by the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Slovenia (URSZR).
The training lasts 7 days can be only conducted by officially authorized training provider for WRC trainings in Slovenia in this case ZVU.
The exam is organized in an additional day and is conducted by the URSZR. Therefore, separate applications for the training (ZVU) and the exam (URSZR) are required. It is best for the candidates to apply for the exam at the same time as they apply for the WRC training itself.
Exam application:
The application form and GDPR consent and all other information about the exams can be obtained at the following link: https://www.gov.si/zbirke/storitve/preizkus-usposobljenosti-za-resevalce-iz-vode/
To take the exam, you must send the following to the URSZR:
• Exam application form.
• Consent to the processing of personal data GDPR.
• Certificate of education (minimum vocational school or IV. level).
• Personal photo in digital format.
• Medical certificate of successful completion of the medical examination for water rescuers.
• Certificate of the Red Cross of Slovenia on successful completion of training for providing first aid for water rescuers (in principle, the data is sent by the Red Cross of Slovenia).
You must also meet the 18 years of age requirement and successfully completed WRC training.
CERTIFICATES AND OTHER EVIDENCE
To apply for training and the exam and obtain the WRC license, the following certificates and documents must be submitted:
1. Certificate from a doctor specializing in occupational, traffic and sports medicine on successfully completing the water rescuer examination in Republic of Slovenia (sent in digital form by e-mail to the ZVU and the URSZR. You can also send it to the URSZR by post). This certificate MUST already be obtained before applying for the ZVU-WRTC. It is extremely important to register for the medical examination with the selected doctor as soon as possible, due to long waiting lists. We advise you to register at least two to three months before the start of the ZVU-WRTC, if possible. DOCTOR’S EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE: The rules and regulations for Program C also define doctor’s examinations performed in Slovenia only. Contact your employer for recommendations.
2. Certificate of education - completed at least secondary vocational school or IV. level of education (sent in digital form or by mail to the URSZR).
3. Photo for making personal documents in digital form (sent in digital form or by mail to the URSR).
4. Successfully completed training for the Wild Water Rescuer license – program C (100% attendance and positive assessment of ongoing training assessments are required. The certificate is sent to the URSZR by the ZVU).
5. Application form for the exam (in digital form or by mail to be sent to the URSZR).
6. Consent to the processing of personal data GDPR for the exam (in digital form or by mail to be sent to the URSZR).
7. Certificate from the Red Cross of Slovenia (RKS) on successfully completing the training for providing first aid for water rescuers (in principle, the data is sent to the URSZR by the Red Cross of Slovenia) This certificate is not required to apply for the exam. You can also send it to the URSZR later, but your cards (licenses) will not be issued until they have received all your certificates and supporting documents.
Information on RKS training dates and prices can be found at: https://www.rks.si/sl/Resevalci_iz_vode/
It is extremely important that you register for the RKS training as soon as possible, as individual dates may be cancelled due to insufficient registration or being overbooked. We advise that, if possible, you register at least two months before the URSR exam.
SPECIAL NOTE regarding first aid certificates. The rules and regulations for Program C (Drowning prevention act) define the Red Cross of Slovenia as the only accredited provider for First Aid certificates. If you hold a recent (minimum 20 hours) First Aid certificate from another EU/EEA/Third Country, we recommend you to contact the Red Cross (slavica.titan@rks.si) and apply for either full or partial recognition of your certificate. You will be asked to attach course program. Partial recognition means you would be required to pass a 1/2 day bridge course with exam. It is possible to obtain your first aid certificate after the whitewater rescue course and the exam.
All YOUR communication with the URSZR and sending of ALL THE ABOVE-LISTED CERTIFICATES WILL BE VIA THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: Izpit.Resevalec@urszr.si