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Our People

Highest instructor standards. Field-proven experts. Passionate educators.

Sierra Rescue courses are taught by independent contractor instructors, and the Authorized Training Providers licensed to teach our curriculum across the country.

Our instructors are held to the highest standard and drawn from firefighters, search & rescue, rafting and kayaking, EMS, mountain guides, and ski patrol — chosen for genuine teaching ability alongside hard-won field experience.

Firefighters
Search & Rescue
Rafting & Kayaking
EMS
Mountain Guides
Ski Patrol

Independent Contractor Instructors

Julie Munger

(Co-Founder)

Safety and Rescue Consultants ·Reno, NV
See Bio

Abigail Polsby

(Co-Founder)

Safety and Rescue Consultants ·Reno, NV
See Bio

Zach Byars

Byars Rescue ·Ojai, CA
See Bio

Kyle Humason

Wilderness Fundamentals ·Truckee, CA
See Bio

Don Lester

Old Growth Rescue LLC ·Colfax, CA
See Bio

Carson Lindsay

Tehipite Adventures ·Coloma, CA
See Bio

Lynsey Nunes

Nunes Consulting ·Lotus, CA
See Bio

Liam O’Neill

Diamond Back Rescue ·California and Arizona
See Bio

Tim Warren

Outdoor Professionals Truckee ·Truckee, CA
See Bio

Sue Lowley

Slow Tracks Adventure Guides ·Stanford, CA
See Bio

Max White

Range Ready Rescue ·Brooklyn, NY
See Bio

Kody Simons

Liwako Rescue LLC ·Knights Ferry, CA
See Bio

Josephine Braun

JB Services ·
See Bio

Ian Fodor-Davis

Fodor’s Rescue Instruction ·Missoula, Montana
See Bio

Garrett Locher

Locher Adventure ·California (guides Cherry Creek)
See Bio

Derek Steffens

Wild River Instruction ·Hood River, OR
See Bio

Brenna Miller

Mountain West Wilderness Professionals ·Idaho
See Bio

Andee Dow

Wild River Instruction ·Hood River, OR
See Bio

Christine Rholl

Katahdin Rescue ·Maine
See Bio

Authorized Training Providers

Independent partner businesses licensed to teach the Sierra Rescue curriculum in their own markets — grouped by region so students can find a course near them.

Northern California
Providers coming soon
Alaska
ATP

North Star Safety Training

Alaska
·Jen Smola
View Provider
Mid-Atlantic
ATP

Fall Line River School

Ohiopyle, PA; Richmond, VA
·Karl Schmidt
View Provider
ATP
PG

Virginia
·Patrick Griffin
View Provider
ATP
JT

DC Area
·Jordan Taylor
View Provider
ATP
JP

Virgina
·Joey Parent
View Provider
Mountain West
ATP
DM

Montana Kayak Academy

Montana·Dave Meyers
View Provider
ATP

Black Fox Rescue Institute

Jackson, WY - Northern Intermountain Region (WY, MT, E. Idaho, N. Utah)·KC Bess
View Provider
ATP

Outdoor Emergency Rescue Training

Payette River, Idaho (Apr-Sep) · Penrith, NSW Australia (Oct-Mar)·Tren Long
View Provider
ATP
TC

Montana·Taylor Carlin
View Provider
ATP
PS

YD Adventures

Idaho·Paul Spence
View Provider
New England
ATP

Mather Rescue

Rhode Island
·Mike Mather
View Provider
Pacific Northwest
ATP
TC

Oregon
·Todd Collins
View Provider
ATP
LR

Wildwater River Guides

Leavenworth, WA
·Lance Reif
View Provider
ATP

River Dog Outfitters

WA
·Andy Lockey
View Provider
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Co-Founder

Julie Munger

Safety and Rescue Consultants·Reno, NV

Julie Munger is an internationally acclaimed swiftwater rescue instructor and whitewater professional. Over her 45-year obsession with rivers she has helped develop swiftwater rescue and wilderness first aid curriculums, guided and managed river trips around the world, and was a member of the world-champion US Women’s Rafting Team from 1985 to 2001.

A graduate of UC Davis and of the University of Central Lancashire in Technical Rescue Instruction, she has been a swiftwater and technical rescue instructor for over 30 years. She is Western Regional Director for Rescue 3 International, an ACA Safety & Rescue Level 5 Instructor Trainer, and Vice Chair of the ACA Safety and Rescue Committee.

Julie is co-author of all Sierra Rescue course books and keeps the materials current with the latest guidelines. She has taught agencies as diverse as USAF PJs, Coast Guard rescue swimmers, fire and SAR teams, and river guides, and was named Rescue 3 Instructor of the Year.

Certifications
SRI Co-Founder & Instructor Trainer · Rescue 3 Western Regional Director · ACA Safety & Rescue L5 Instructor Trainer
Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-K
RRC-G
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
RRIC
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
WUDFR
MWIC
Co-Founder

Abigail Polsby

Safety and Rescue Consultants·Reno, NV

Abigail has been instructing wilderness skills for the past 25 years. A co-founder of Sierra Rescue, she is the primary author of all the wilderness medicine books and course materials and has assembled an advisory team of world-renowned doctors.

She has been a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer since 2006 and is a certified ACA Swiftwater Rescue Level 5 Instructor, with a strong mountaineering, river-running, first aid, and teaching background. She was a lead instructor for Hurricane Island and Colorado Outward Bound Schools, worked professionally as an EMT and WEMT, and founded Arctic River Journeys.

Abigail was voted Rescue 3 Instructor of the Year in 2013. When not working, she can be found surfing in Mexico, skiing in Tahoe, or backpacking in British Columbia.

Certifications
SRI Co-Founder · Rescue 3 Instructor Trainer · ACA Swiftwater Rescue L5 Instructor · WEMT
Courses Taught
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
WUDFR
WMIC
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-G
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
Instructor

Zach Byars

Byars Rescue·Ojai, CA

Zach Byars, a native Texan, grew up running rivers – his parents met whitewater guiding in California during the early days of commercial rafting in the ’70s, and he followed suit, guiding western rivers for over a decade. Between rescue seasons he still runs the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho for ECHO River Trips.

Zach entered the rescue world in 2008, first as a student on a Rogue River swiftwater class with Sierra Rescue, then as an ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Rescue 3 Swiftwater and Flood Instructor, and American CPR Instructor. “I love that this job lets me train with professionals ranging from Air Force pararescue to fire agencies to river guides. Safer boaters are better boaters.” When not teaching, he’s on the water or skiing powder in Jackson Hole.

Certifications
ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor; Rescue 3 Swiftwater and Flood Instructor; American CPR Instructor
Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-G
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
Instructor

Kyle Humason

Wilderness Fundamentals·Truckee, CA

Unlike almost everyone else on the SRI team, I have spent very little time on rivers. I prefer frozen water and am happy having built a life around pursuing good skiing. That passion was seeded in the mountains around my hometown of Grangeville, Idaho; it took root during my high school years racing on weekends in Tahoe, and grew into an obsession when I relocated to Truckee and began patrolling on Donner Summit. Following my first WFR course in college, the goal crystallized: to be the best student I could be so I could become the best teacher I could be. Over the next decade, I built the foundation for that future self through education and experience. I worked as an EMT and WEMT, trained in technical rope rescue and snow safety, and skied, hiked, climbed, biked, and ran my way into familiarity with the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Southern Chugach, and other ranges across the North American West. With nearly a decade of professional patrol experience and a healthy backcountry travel record, I finally had the confidence to approach Julie and Abi in the spring of 2024 for a chance to pursue my dream of teaching wilderness medicine. They gave me the opportunity, and so far I haven’t let them down!

My education in wilderness medicine kickstarted a life spent largely outdoors, in the company of wonderful people who share a passion for adventure and an appreciation for risk management. Being part of that journey for others is incredibly rewarding and keeps me engaged with a community of adventurers who turn their dreams into reality. Seeing students transform over the course of a day or a week is fulfilling beyond description, and I’m thankful to watch them in action firsthand.

Certifications
Wilderness EMT (WEMT) · Professional Ski Patrol · Technical Rope Rescue · Snow Safety
Courses Taught
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR Recertification
Instructor

Don Lester

Old Growth Rescue LLC·Colfax, CA
Photos

Born in Fresno, CA, Don Lester started boating, hiking, and climbing at a very young age, spending much of his youth around Yosemite and the Kings River. He went on to guide rivers in California, Oregon, West Virginia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Chile – for several years logging 150+ days a year on the water – and spent two years as a full-time firefighter/EMT.

He has taught with Sierra Rescue for 17 years, working across water, rope, ice, and boat rescue, and holds credentials as an ACA Level 5 Rescue Instructor, an IRF Class 5 Assessor, and an ITRA Instructor.

Certifications
Firefighter; EMT; ACA Level 5 Rescue Instructor; IRF Class 5 Assessor; ITRA Instructor
Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RRC
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
Rope Rescue
TRR:OL
TRR:TL
Instructor

Carson Lindsay

Tehipite Adventures·Coloma, CA

Carson was born and raised in Truckee, California and has spent his entire life playing outside – his parents met working for the same raft company Carson works for today. He learned to roll a kayak at 16 and began commercial guiding two years later, and has since kayaked and guided in Chile, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Norway, and Iceland.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be than on the river. Teaching has been even more rewarding than guiding – I’m able to give so many people a better understanding of rivers and river safety. I’ve learned so much from everyone at Sierra Rescue and I’m excited to keep learning from the best.”

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RRC
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
Instructor

Lynsey Nunes

Nunes Consulting ·Lotus, CA
Photos

Originally from South Dakota, Lynsey came to California in 2000 to attend UC Davis and, shortly after, became a whitewater raft guide. She worked commercially on many rivers but found a team and a home on the Tuolumne River.

It was through guiding that she began training in swiftwater rescue and focused her studies on wilderness medicine. This led to teaching rescue courses and training guides.

The first splash of whitewater sparked a passion that Lynsey works to share in her rescue trainings, helping create better-prepared outdoor enthusiasts.

Over the past 25 years, she has worked with general recreationalists, commercial and private boaters, field scientists, agencies and organizations that manage watersheds, military, fire, SAR, and community members looking for better planning, emergency management, and safe practices in wilderness environments.

Lynsey currently lives with her family in Lotus, CA.

Certifications

Sierra Rescue International Instructor Trainer; Rescue 3 International Flood Tech/A & SRT/A (Water and Rope) Instructor; ACA L5 Safety & Rescue Instructor, L4 Raft Paddle & Row Instructor and Vice Chair on the Safety & Rescue Board; Wilderness EMT; American CPR Instructor; HSI Instructor; Mountain Training Network Partner; Astral Swiftwater Training Team

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-K
RRC-G
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SUP-1
RRIC
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
WUDFR
MWIC
Instructor

Liam O’Neill

Diamond Back Rescue·California and Arizona
Photos

Born and raised in Wilson, Wyoming, Liam started guiding in Jackson for his father and exploring the surrounding rivers, where he discovered the importance of rescue and medical training. His love for wild places took him to Idaho, where he spent ten years guiding nearly every river in the state and still runs the Selway, Lochsa, and Salmon.

While working in the Grand Canyon for AZRA, Liam came into contact with Sierra Rescue and, over the next few years, made the transition from full-time river guide to full-time rescue and medical instructor. With more than 30 years of professional guiding behind him, he has now taught with Sierra Rescue for 12 years, and he teaches wilderness medicine and swiftwater rescue for Sierra Rescue, Rescue 3, and the ACA. In recognition of his work in the field, he received the Higgins and Langley Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in swiftwater and flood rescue.

When he isn’t teaching, Liam is traveling or guiding on the Lochsa or in the Grand Canyon.

Certifications

Higgins and Langley Memorial Award (swiftwater & flood rescue); instructs for Sierra Rescue, Rescue 3, and the ACA

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-G
RRC-K
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
Instructor

Tim Warren

Outdoor Professionals Truckee·Truckee, CA
Photos

Tim is a Southern Ocean native from the island of Tasmania. He grew up exploring the island’s remote and wild coastlines, estuaries, and rivers in boats of all kinds, and gained a love for all places cold and scary. He became an expedition tour guide in kayaks and rafts, which grew into a career of guiding and working internationally on rivers in Australia, Canada, Scotland, the U.S., Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica.

Tim’s other passion is education and personal skill development, and he served as the Lead Aquatic Trainer for the Outdoor Education Group in Australia for five years. He holds a BA in Sociology, a Diploma of Outdoor Education, and a Certificate IV in Eco and Adventure Guiding. Tim is also a Wilderness EMT, American CPR Instructor, ITRA Water Instructor, ACA Level 5 Safety Instructor, and a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer.

Tim joined the Sierra Rescue team in 2016 and is one of the Lead Instructors and Instructor Trainers, a role that sees him coordinating staff development and mentoring others. He works across the entire swiftwater and wilderness medicine curriculums and has delivered everything from kayak-, SUP-, and packraft-specific courses to winter survival and bespoke rescue swimmer programs, for groups including fire departments, SAR teams, and various branches of the US Military and Coast Guard. He has also worked with rangers in Yosemite Search and Rescue and Grand Canyon National Park, as well as college students, mountain bike coaches, and river guides.

When he’s not teaching, you’ll find Tim surfing, mountain biking, or skiing somewhere.

Certifications
Wilderness EMT; American CPR Instructor; ITRA Water Instructor; ACA Level 5 Safety Instructor; Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer; BA Sociology; Diploma of Outdoor Education; Certificate IV in Eco and Adventure Guiding
Courses Taught
Swiftwater
SWRS
RSS
RRC
RRC-K
RRC-G
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
SRT-1
SRT-A
RRIC
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
WUDFR
WMIC
Instructor

Sue Lowley

Slow Tracks Adventure Guides·Stanford, CA
Photos

Sue received her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center. For the past 30 years she has worked as an instructor, course director, and program director in higher education, NOLS, and Outward Bound. Her academic interests are in diversity and inclusion and in student leadership confidence and competence development. Sue holds certifications as a Wilderness EMT, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, LNT Trainer, and ACA Sea Kayak Instructor. She currently serves as the Director of Outdoor Education at Stanford University, where she teaches classes in leadership, wilderness medicine, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, sea kayaking, and climbing.

Certifications

Wilderness EMT; AMGA Single Pitch Instructor; LNT Trainer; ACA Sea Kayak Instructor

Courses Taught
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
Instructor

Max White

Range Ready Rescue·Brooklyn, NY

Bio coming soon.

Courses Taught
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
Instructor

Kody Simons

Liwako Rescue LLC·Knights Ferry, CA
Photos

Kody Simons grew up immersed in whitewater – kayaking, rafting, climbing, skiing, and taking any excuse to be outdoors. Today he is a firefighter paramedic specializing in technical rescue, as well as a State Fire Training Instructor, and he brings that frontline experience into every course he teaches. When he isn’t on shift or instructing, Kody spends his free time chasing the sports he loves in the outdoors with his wife and kids. What he enjoys most about teaching is sharing his passion for the outdoors and the rescue world with students of every background – and watching them progress to a place where they understand and respect the environment they are training in.

Certifications

Firefighter Paramedic (technical rescue specialty); State Fire Training Instructor

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-K
RRC-G
SRT-1
SRT-A
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
Instructor

Josephine Braun

JB Services·
Photos

Jo was born and raised in the small town of Seward, Alaska, and was introduced to the world of whitewater while attending university in California. She started as a raft guide at WET River Trips in Coloma, CA, where she gained exposure to Sierra Rescue when she attended a Swiftwater Rescue Course. Around the same time, she began building her wilderness medicine skills to be better prepared to help people. Since then, she has followed a path of whitewater, working and playing on rivers around the world, including in New Zealand and Chile.

Jo is a Sierra Rescue Instructor and a Wilderness EMT. She is also an ACA-certified whitewater kayak instructor for California Watersport Collective and still spends time in rafts.

Certifications

Sierra Rescue Instructor; Wilderness EMT; ACA-certified whitewater kayak instructor (California Watersport Collective)

Courses Taught
Wildnerness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
Instructor

Ian Fodor-Davis

Fodor’s Rescue Instruction·Missoula, Montana
Photos

I have spent most of my life involved in some level of adventure sports. Navigating and understanding swiftwater started at a very early age – my first days were spent in a raft at two years old on the Green River in Utah.

I started rowing boats when I was around 11 and began guiding full-time at 18. After five seasons of guiding, I moved into a full-time sales job at NRS, working with customers across the country to solve gear problems and build relationships. During that time I was fortunate enough to keep guiding here and there and to run many of the commercial rivers on the West Coast of North America. I also gained a new perspective on wilderness medicine when I dealt with a burn in the backcountry that could have been handled better. I quickly realized I needed to know far more about wilderness medicine than I did, so I began building my Wilderness Medicine certifications and knowledge.

In 2021 I got the opportunity to purchase a rafting company in Missoula, Montana, and developed a keen interest in outdoor education. Soon I was working with Taylor Carlin, teaching my guide schools and shadowing swiftwater courses. I fell in love with the style of education and curriculum he presented, and I wanted to bring the Sierra Rescue curriculum to my own business. In October of 2025 I decided it was time to hang up the owner hat and focus on a deeper career in outdoor education. That led to an instructor course with Sierra Rescue and became not only a full-time career but a pursuit of growth and a never-ceasing effort to provide the best educational experience I can.

I’m generally a pretty bubbly, enthusiastic, high-energy dude. I love connecting with people and sharing outdoor experiences, and I especially love working together to grow and solve problems. In my off-time you can catch me on the water – frozen or flowing – on my mountain bike, or in the kitchen exploring a new recipe.

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
Instructor

Garrett Locher

Locher Adventure·California (guides Cherry Creek)
Photos

Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a child fostered in Garrett a deep love of nature, and he quickly became enamored with its beauty and possibilities. After earning a degree in Atmospheric Chemistry from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, he used his budding skills as a river guide to travel the world in search of new adventures, working challenging whitewater in California, Costa Rica, and Chile. This led to instructing at guide schools, where Garrett found a new passion for teaching. As a swiftwater rescue instructor, he has found another way to share his love of the river with others. Introducing people to something new and giving them the support to push their boundaries and discover what they are truly capable of never gets old.

During the summer months, Garrett can be found on his all-time favorite river, Cherry Creek, where he works as a guide.

Certifications

B.S. Atmospheric Chemistry, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
RRC-G
RRC-K
RRC-Adv
RRC-Pro
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
Instructor

Derek Steffens

Wild River Instruction·Hood River, OR
Photos

Derek grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, spending his childhood riding dirt bikes, singing in the rain, and traveling to far-off places with his family. His guiding career began in 2012 on Colorado’s Cache la Poudre River, then took him south to Costa Rica, where he guided for several years. Over the years, Derek has sailed halfway around the world, built houses, and led zero-gravity flights. Curiosity eventually led him to New Zealand and the world of aquatic canyoning, where exploring remote slot canyons, including some first descents, quickly became a new obsession. His pursuit of wild, remote places has since taken him from multi-day expeditions in Madagascar to first descents in New Zealand.

When the tourism world hit pause during COVID, Derek pivoted to new adventures stateside. He managed a rafting company for many years, began instructing rescue, and filled the extra time guiding dog sled and snowmobile trips before moving into EMS as a ski patroller. Today he is a fireline EMT, working in remote terrain with limited resources to provide frontline care to wildland personnel, and he staffs the medical tent for unique events around the Pacific Northwest.

Derek brings years of global experience as a raft guide, kayaker, canyoning guide, EMT, and instructor. What he loves most about teaching is watching his students grow over the years into top-notch rescuers, providers, and teachers.

Certifications

Fireline EMT

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
Instructor

Brenna Miller

Mountain West Wilderness Professionals·Idaho
Photos

Brenna grew up in rural Montana and Idaho, immersed in the outdoors. After earning a Bachelor of Education at Idaho State University, she knew teaching in all its forms was her calling. Following years of traveling as a professional USAC routesetter, she became the climbing coordinator at Idaho State and began pursuing climbing guiding and outdoor education. On a trip to California in 2021, Brenna was introduced to Sierra Rescue, and her love for wilderness medicine was born.

Brenna is a professional ski patroller in the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah, working as a Wilderness EMT and Outdoor Emergency Care Technician. When she isn’t teaching for SRI, she’s guiding rock, skiing, mountaineering, or working on one of her many unfinished paintings at her home in Idaho.

Certifications

Wilderness EMT; Outdoor Emergency Care Technician (OEC); B.Ed., Idaho State University (full cert list available on request)

Courses Taught
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
WFR-R
WFR
Instructor

Andee Dow

Wild River Instruction·Hood River, OR
Photos

I got my start in the outdoor industry guiding whitewater. I spent 13 years as a guide across 6 states and 3 countries, working mostly in whitewater along with technical rope canyons, snowmobiling, and hiking, and I put in some time as a safety kayaker. In 2020 I started teaching swiftwater rescue to help keep the whitewater community safer. Throughout my guiding years I kept advancing my medical certifications, which sparked my interest in adventure medicine, and in 2025 I retired from guiding to work full-time as an EMT providing backcountry medical support to large events like trail races, endurance moto races, and even the occasional Burning Man.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me at home in Hood River boating, running, biking, baking, and starting to dabble in wind sports. Teaching and sharing knowledge is my favorite way to make people feel safer and more confident in any endeavor. I hope to break down barriers to entry in whitewater and wilderness recreation and make all of my students feel empowered to try new things. See you out there!

Certifications

WEMT

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
WFA24
Instructor

Christine Rholl

Katahdin Rescue·Maine
Photos

Originally from the Washington, D.C., area, Christine moved to Maine in 2010 and quickly developed a passion for mountains, rivers, and whitewater. She has spent more than a decade working in Maine’s outdoor industry as a whitewater guide, ski patroller, Registered Maine Guide, and outdoor educator.

Since 2012, Christine has worked commercially as a whitewater raft guide and kayaker on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, including five seasons leading the Penobscot River operation for Northern Outdoors. As a Registered Maine Guide, she leads canoe, kayak, hiking, and biking trips and has also worked with the Maine Outdoor Education Program in Grindstone, Maine.

For the past decade, Christine has worked as a ski patroller at both Sugarloaf Resort in Maine and Steamboat Resort in Colorado, specializing in gondola evacuation and rope rescue. Her experiences on the river and ski hill sparked a passion for rescue, wilderness medicine, and helping others develop the skills and confidence to respond effectively in challenging environments.

Christine holds a Master of Arts in Outdoor Education Leadership from Prescott College. She joined the Sierra Rescue team in 2024 as a River Rescue and Wilderness Medicine instructor, bringing her experience as an outdoor professional, educator, and mentor to her courses.

Certifications

Sierra Rescue Wilderness Medicine and River Rescue Instructor; ACA L5 Safety & Rescue Instructor; American CPR Instructor; Wilderness EMT; Maine Level II Whitewater Guide; Registered Maine Recreation Guide; NSP Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor; MA in Outdoor Education Leadership

Courses Taught
Swiftwater
RSS
RRC
Wilderness Medicine
WFA8
WFA16
Authorized Training Provider

Black Fox Rescue Institute

Jackson, WY - Northern Intermountain Region (WY, MT, E. Idaho, N. Utah)·KC Bess
Photos

KC grew up in the wilds of Southern Utah, scrambling on red rocks and exploring the desert with friends. As a young adult, he channeled that energy into sport and trad climbing across the western U.S., which led him to Wyoming’s Teton and Wind River Ranges and, from there, into river running and professional guiding. KC has guided on the Snake River for more than 20 years and spent time as a Risk and Operations Manager for a river company. He has run rivers and led expeditions throughout the western United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

Outside of work, KC serves on the Teton County Search and Rescue Team and co-owns Wounded Bear Medicine, giving him deep experience as a technical rescuer. He has taught and worked alongside many groups, including professional guides, US Forest Service personnel, fire and rescue teams, search and rescue teams, US Coast Guard rescue swimmers, US Special Forces, ocean lifeguards, National Park rangers, game and fish wardens, fisheries biologists, Wilderness Risk Management Conference attendees, US Military, and international rescue personnel.

KC is a Sierra Rescue International Instructor Trainer, an ACA Level 5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer for Rope, Swiftwater, and Boat courses. He previously held certifications as an ACA Level 4 Raft Guide Instructor and an International Rafting Federation Class 4/5 Guide and Safety Craft Instructor. He lives with his family in Jackson, WY.

Visit provider to book →
Authorized Training Provider

North Star Safety Training

Alaska·Jen Smola

Based on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, but have a mobile classroom to serve the entire state

Outdoor pursuits have been a lifelong passion. I started guiding in my teens which sparked my career in marine biology and then environmental education. Blending the outdoors with science, I obtained my first merchant mariner credential in 2014 and started a “Sailing for Science” program collecting data for various non-profits conducting research in Alaska on my sailboat. Since then, I have worked on research vessels, tall ship sailing schools, and many boats in-between.

I started my medical career in ski patrol. I then gained my Emergency Medical Technician certification and now volunteer with a local EMS agency and am a member of the KBay SAR team. For five years, I worked as a remote camp manager and expedition medic in extreme locations from the Greenland Icecap to Antarctica and my home state of Alaska.

Combining my passion for education, maritime and outdoor fields, I launched North Star Safety Training to help educate Alaskans.

Visit provider to book →
Authorized Training Provider

Fall Line River School

Ohiopyle, PA; Richmond, VA·Karl Schmidt
Photos

Karl Schmidt is the owner of Fall Line River School.  Karl leads instruction and certification courses in swiftwater rescue, wilderness medicine, and whitewater paddling. Karl is an outdoor educator and risk management expert with over 15 years of leadership and teaching experience. Karl has contributed to the field of swiftwater rescue and whitewater paddlesports as an advisory board member for Sierra Rescue International and as a curriculum committee member for the American Canoe Association.  Karl also works with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs as an adjunct instructor for swiftwater rescue and paddleboat ops. Before starting Fall Line River School, Karl gained experience as a river-ranger, college outdoor program coordinator, ski patroller, river guide, safety boater, remote medical operations manager, college lecturer, and expedition leader.  Karl brings professionalism and an infectious enthusiasm to each course he teaches. Karl’s home river(s) are the Youghiogheny River and James River.

He teaches wilderness medical and river rescue courses!

Visit provider to book →
PG
Authorized Training Provider

Virginia·Patrick Griffin

Bio coming soon.

JT
Authorized Training Provider

DC Area·Jordan Taylor

Bio coming soon.

JP
Authorized Training Provider

Virgina·Joey Parent

Bio coming soon.

DM
Authorized Training Provider

Montana Kayak Academy

Montana·Dave Meyers

Bio coming soon.

Visit provider to book →
Authorized Training Provider

Black Fox Rescue Institute

Jackson, WY - Northern Intermountain Region (WY, MT, E. Idaho, N. Utah)·KC Bess
Photos

KC grew up in the wilds of Southern Utah, scrambling on red rocks and exploring the desert with friends. As a young adult, he channeled that energy into sport and trad climbing across the western U.S., which led him to Wyoming’s Teton and Wind River Ranges and, from there, into river running and professional guiding. KC has guided on the Snake River for more than 20 years and spent time as a Risk and Operations Manager for a river company. He has run rivers and led expeditions throughout the western United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

Outside of work, KC serves on the Teton County Search and Rescue Team and co-owns Wounded Bear Medicine, giving him deep experience as a technical rescuer. He has taught and worked alongside many groups, including professional guides, US Forest Service personnel, fire and rescue teams, search and rescue teams, US Coast Guard rescue swimmers, US Special Forces, ocean lifeguards, National Park rangers, game and fish wardens, fisheries biologists, Wilderness Risk Management Conference attendees, US Military, and international rescue personnel.

KC is a Sierra Rescue International Instructor Trainer, an ACA Level 5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer for Rope, Swiftwater, and Boat courses. He previously held certifications as an ACA Level 4 Raft Guide Instructor and an International Rafting Federation Class 4/5 Guide and Safety Craft Instructor. He lives with his family in Jackson, WY.

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Outdoor Emergency Rescue Training

Payette River, Idaho (Apr-Sep) · Penrith, NSW Australia (Oct-Mar)·Tren Long
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I grew up in a family rafting business on the Payette River in Idaho, and rescue came as circumstance more than decision. At a young age I assisted in the rescue and recovery of a victim who was a similar age to me. That event taught me how much a practical, hands-on approach to river rescue matters, and how much the information itself matters. Spending a lifetime on the banks of an incredibly busy river has given me what I consider the luxury of experience. Everything I teach, everything I show in my courses, I have done on live rescues and can attest to its effectiveness. No theoretical hype, no magic rescue tools – just real-world experience and effective rescue technique.

Thirty years later, I’ve taught rescue and wilderness medicine across four continents – North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. My students range from first-time paddlers to metropolitan fire departments, and in between there are raft guides, safety kayakers, search and rescue teams, outdoor educators, and club paddlers who just want to be useful if something goes wrong on their own trip.

I’m an Instructor Trainer for Sierra Rescue and Rescue 3 International, and in 2019 I received the Higgins and Langley Memorial Award for swiftwater rescue. In Australia I deliver nationally recognized first aid qualifications alongside the rescue work.

What I like about teaching is the moment someone stops thinking about the technique and starts thinking about the problem. Plenty of people can build a mechanical advantage system. The harder part is standing on a bank with a group of tired people, working out what to do, how to do it safely, and then being able to implement that plan. Rescues are usually lost in the decision, not the rigging. That’s what I try to build, and it’s why I run scenarios instead of demonstrations.

Currently I’m lucky enough to split the year. April to September I’m in Idaho on the Payette, teaching wilderness medicine and swiftwater rescue. October to March I run swiftwater rescue and remote first aid courses out of Penrith, New South Wales, west of Sydney. All of it through Outdoor Emergency Rescue Training.

Outside of work I’m a volunteer EMT with Horseshoe Bend Ambulance and Horseshoe Bend Fire Water Rescue. I spent time as an Advanced EMT with Crouch Ambulance before that, and staying on the roster keeps me honest about the distance between a training scenario and a real call. Most of my time off is still spent on rivers. Nobody who knows me finds that surprising.

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Montana·Taylor Carlin

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YD Adventures

Idaho·Paul Spence

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Mather Rescue

Rhode Island·Mike Mather

Mike is an ACA Safety & Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator, a Rescue 3 Rope, Water & Boat Operations Instructor Trainer, and owner of Mather Rescue. With more than 20 years on and in the water, he is one of the more experienced and entertaining rescue professionals in the industry, having taught across the US and Europe.

Mike excels at keeping topics clear, accessible, and applicable for rescue professionals, experienced boaters, and novices alike. Teams he has trained include US Navy SEALs, USAF PJs, Los Angeles lifeguards, FDNY, and the New Hampshire Fire Academy.

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Oregon·Todd Collins

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Wildwater River Guides

Leavenworth, WA·Lance Reif

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River Dog Outfitters

WA·Andy Lockey
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I love how Sierra Rescue’s curriculum allows me as a teacher to be creative and cater the core fundamental skills to different groups. Whether you’re a whitewater kayaker, rafter, fishing guide, or biologist, I pride myself on making the lessons relatable and applicable to your circumstances.

A lot of that comes from the diversity of my background with almost 20 years in the outdoor industry. I’ve been a rock climbing guide, whitewater kayak instructor, and raft guide, as well as some more civil experiences like public school teaching and volunteer firefighting. Nowadays, I’ve settled into a balance of running a successful guided fishing business through the summer and switching to ski patrol in the winter, where I am the Patrol Training Specialist for my mountain. Whitewater continues to be one of my biggest passions, and in between private outings near and far, I get to share my knowledge and experience teaching rowing, kayaking, and rescue classes.

Somehow I’ve been able to keep the dream alive, making a living following my passions, and I’d be honored to share that passion with you!

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