Fall Line River School

Fall Line River School

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Providing world-class instruction and certification courses in Swiftwater Rescue, Emergency Medicine, and Whitewater Paddling.

05/22/2026

Instructor Karl Schmidt modeling __________ at last fall’s aca swr conference. Download the ACA Safety & Rescue Terminology Guide to fill in the blank! ACA Paddlesports

As we continue to celebrate and participate in National Safe Boating Week, it’s a great time to refresh our safety knowledge and prepare for a safe season on the water. Whether you’re paddling a quiet lake, navigating moving current, or supporting events as a volunteer safety boater, preparation and communication matter.

One of the most overlooked parts of river safety is terminology. In emergency situations, clear and consistent communication can make all the difference. Understanding the language used in rescue situations helps paddlers, instructors, trip leaders, and rescuers work together more effectively and confidently.

To support continued boating safety education, the ACA River Safety & Rescue Terminology: A Quick-Reference Handbook for Speaking the Same Language in Swiftwater Rescue is being offered as a free Kindle download from May 23-27. This quick-reference guide is designed to help paddlers build familiarity with common rescue terms, concepts, and communication practices used in river environments.

Safe boating starts long before launching your boat: with preparation, education, and a commitment to looking out for one another on the water. Wear your life jacket, know your limits, check conditions before you paddle, and continue building your safety knowledge all season long.

Download for free May 23-27 from the link below!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2KXHPLJ

05/06/2026

Using utility line to mock a rope system failure at 500lbs! Using a redirect and dampeners to keep the crew safe.

05/04/2026

Do you properly thread your quick-release-harness-system? During our recent ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification Workshop, instructor candidates taught students to use the qrhs for tethered rescues.

Offerings | Fall Line River School 05/01/2026

Coming Soon...

ACA Paddlesports Whitewater Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop, June 1-5. Ohiopyle. Lower Yough

Sierra Rescue International Advanced River Rescue Certification / L5, June 6 - 7. Ohiopyle. Lower Yough

Offerings | Fall Line River School Welcome to Fall Line River School! We are dedicated to delivering world-class instruction and certification in swiftwater rescue, whitewater paddling, and emergency medicine. Our programs are crafted to support companies, outfitters, groups, and individuals in reaching new heights of excellence in t...

05/01/2026

Highly recommended! Join this trip! Main Salmon River, Idaho. July 30 - August 4. My good friend Jordan Taylor at Paddlesport Institute runs this phenomenal trip. Last year I got to go on this trip and it was a blast.

04/30/2026

Great safety positioning and H-rescue use by an instructor for a student during s-turn practice in our recent ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Certification Exam.

04/25/2026

ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Certification Exam weekend with

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04/24/2026

Visit falllineriverschool.com and submit a contact form to learn more about courses.



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04/15/2026

Lots of good things happening here. Contact rescue + throwbag coil toss + back up belay. Great drill for keeping downstream safety on their toes with multiple swimmers or when you don’t have time to set up live bait for a contact rescue. Another highlight from our Advanced River Rescue Certification / L5 course.

04/13/2026

This was one of our favorite drills during Advanced River Rescue Certification this past weekend. This is a variation of a live-bait rescue where the swimmer adds an extension to the belay line to clip equipment or a person in a recirculating feature. After clipping, the extension length allows the belayer to pull the swimmer free of the boil line before they release, leaving a line on the equipment or person.

04/12/2026

Training with Virginia Department of Fire Programs to stay calm under pressure and maintain an air pocket during rescue PFD quick-release-harness-system blow out drill.

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Richmond, VA