Who it's for

• Packrafters who are preparing for whitewater and/or backcountry paddling.
• Folks who own their equipment or are about to purchase it. I do not provide any equipment. Here is the required equipment list.
• Paddlers who will benefit from directed practice of recovery exercises—loose equipment and swimmers.
• Paddlers who want to get better at catching eddies, peeling out, and letting the river do the work.
• Intermediate, novice, and beginner paddlers.
• No experience necessary. But, you will get the most out of this course if you have paddled enough to recognize some gaps in your knowledge.
• I welcome and will support participants who are intimidated by the water, have had scary experiences, or have unique considerations. If in doubt, contact me.

Course description 

Packraft Safety and Rescue is jam-packed with everything you need to take your packrafting game to the next level: This 2-day (9 AM - 5 PM) curriculum has evolved through 50+ courses and working with hundreds of participants:

• Safety and rescue standards
• Outfitting and equipment considerations
• River features and hazards
• Paddle technique and boat control: catching eddies, peeling out
• Wilderness Risk Management and preparation for backcountry paddling

Packraft Safety and Rescue includes access to the Paddle Up a Level online course modules 1 & 2: Equipment and swimmer/equipment recovery. You can add on modules 3 & 4 (paddle strokes, boat control, river running, and online form review) at a discounted price at any time.

Essential Eligibility Requirements

Packraft Safety and Rescue is open to adults who can provide their own equipment. You will need to sign a waiver to participate.

You must be able to: 

• Hold your breath underwater, then independently turn to a faceup position and keep your head above water.
• Tread water and swim to shore in swiftwater.
• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Understand and follow directions: Voice commands, hand and paddle signals, and whistle signals.
• Manage your personal care and mobility during 8 hours in and out of cold water.

Contact me if you are under 18, visually or hearing impaired, have other unique considerations, or have any other questions about your eligibility.

Safety first

• 6:1 instructor ratio for shore-based exercises, 4:1 ratio for water-based exercises.
• Led by Luc Mehl: Swiftwater Rescue Instructor certified (Swiftwater Safety Institute), WFR certified, author of The Packraft Handbook.
• Assisted by Kevin Kelly, Taylor Guetschow, or Alex Buetow: SRT and WFR certified at a minimum.

Who it's for

• Intermediate and advanced paddlers: Class III experience and skillset.
• Packrafters and whitewater kayakers who want to refresh their rescue skills: previous rescue training or equivalent experience is required.
• Folks who own their equipment. I do not provide any equipment. Here is the required equipment list.
• I welcome and will support participants who are intimidated by the water, have had scary experiences, or have unique considerations. If in doubt, contact me.

Pre-requisites

LAST River Rescue is an opportunity to refresh skills learned in previous safety/rescue courses or equivalent experience on rivers. Contact me if you have questions about your candidacy.

• Able to navigate rapids rated Class III or higher with good boat control.
• Swiftwater Rescue Training, Packraft Safety & Rescue training, equivalent courses, or equivalent experience.
• Packrafters must have properly outfitted boats and be able to perform a wet re-entry.
• Kayakers must have floatation bags and a reliable combat roll.

Course description 

New in 2025! LAST River Rescue will help you respond to river emergencies through scenario-based learning. This course picks up where your rescue training probably ended: you've got the paddling and basic rescue skills, now it is time to put them to the test.

• 4 hours reviewing fundamental shore-based safety and rescue.
• 4 hours practicing river-based recovery exercises (e.g., re-entries in packrafts, T-rescues in kayaks).
• 8 hours or river scenarios: Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport.

Essential Eligibility Requirements

LAST River Rescue is open to adults who can provide their own equipment (see equipment list). You will need to sign a waiver to participate.

You must be able to: 

• Hold your breath underwater, then independently turn to a faceup position and keep your head above water.
• Tread water and swim to shore in swiftwater.
• Walk on slippery and loose rocks on shore and in swiftwater.
• Understand and follow directions: Voice commands, hand and paddle signals, and whistle signals.
• Manage your personal care and mobility during 8 hours in and out of cold water.

Contact me if you are under 18, visually or hearing impaired, have other unique considerations, or have any other questions about your eligibility.

Safety first

• 4:1 instructor ratio.
• Led by Luc Mehl: Swiftwater Rescue Instructor certified (Swiftwater Safety Institute), WFR certified, author of The Packraft Handbook.
• Assisted by Kevin Kelly, Taylor Guetschow, or Alex Buetow: SRT and WFR certified at a minimum.

Who it's for

Novice and intermediate packrafters who want to safely rig their boat, practice recovery exercises (loose equipment and swimmers), and improve boat control skills: catching eddies, peeling out, ferrying, etc.

Course description 

Paddle Up a Level is an online course and Q&A platform that will take your packrafting adventures to the next level. This course brings lessons from my in-person courses and Part One of The Packraft Handbook to an online format. You will have unlimited access to the video modules:

• Equipment review and considerations
• Swimmer and equipment recovery
• Paddle strokes
• Boat control and river running

Paddle Up a Level also provides a Q&A platform and form feedback review (by video).

Package pricing

Paddle Up a Level (online) and Packraft Safety and Rescue (in person) go hand-in-hand. Receive a $100 discount when purchasing both, at any time.