SURF RESPONDER SUMMIT
BWRAG’s Surf Responder Summit is a two-day training designed for surfers of all levels and abilities. This course teaches you how to be a Surf Responder: an ocean athlete who not only knows how to mitigate their own personal risk, but who can also serve as an asset to others in an emergency situation.
Completion of BWRAG’s in-person Surf Responder Summit earns the student a BWRAG Certificate of Completion and a CPR certification by HSI. Students who complete the Ocean Risk Technician Course (Level 1), Surf Responder Summit, or Surf Responder Online Course will be eligible to register for Ocean Risk Technician Course (Level 2) (release date TBD). The Ocean Risk Technician Course (Level 1), Surf Responder Summit, or Surf Responder Online Course is a prerequisite for purchasing a Patagonia PSI vest and the BWRAG Certificate of Completion from any of the three courses must be presented to Patagonia to begin the purchasing process. Below are the elements of our Surf Responder Summit:
ABOUT THE COURSE:
CLASS SIZE: Up to 60 students
REGISTRATION FEE: Varies on region
CERTIFICATES: Following the completion of the Surf Responder Summit, students will receive:
a BWRAG Certification of Completion (prerequisites for purchasing a Patagonia PSI vest), and
a CPR course completion card issued by HSI.
UPCOMING SURF RESPONDER SUMMITS:
April 27-28, 2024 | Puerto Escondido, Mexico - PAU!
May 11-12, 2024 | Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina - PAU!
June 1-2, 2024 | Long Beach, New York - PAU!
June 8-9, 2024 | Sea Girt, New Jersey - PAU!
July 27-28, 2024 | Tofino, British Columbia - PAU!
September 7-8, 2024 | Ventura, CA - PAU!
September 21-22, 2024 | San Diego, CA - PAU!
September 28-29, 2024 | Newport Beach, CA - PAU!
November 23-24, 2024 | Maui, Hawaiʻi - Registration will open up shortly!
Ocean Risk Management
This module presents students with BWRAG’s core curriculum component - risk management theory. Students will learn effective approaches to identifying and mitigating risk and cultivate the same decision-making process utilized by military units and first-responder agencies around the world.
Spot Analysis
Paddling out to a break is one thing. Understanding how to navigate its dangers and consider its composition when responding to an emergency is another. This module will show students how to break down a surf break by Identifying its hazards to avoid, eliminating or reducing the risks of encountering those hazards, and developing a strategic safety plan for that surf break in the event of an emergency situation.
Emergency Action Planning
Taking that long-anticipated surf trip? This module will teach students how to create a robust safety plan for any surf break in the world. Students will learn the process for building a safety team, including creating a checklist of critical preparation steps to complete before your surf trip (e.g., recording locations of the nearest hospitals, contact information for rescue and emergency agencies, response time of emergency rescue services, etc.).
CPR/AED
This module teaches students high-performance CPR and AED techniques taught specifically for ocean/beach rescue situations, with a curriculum created by our long-time partners and top-rated CPR trainers at the AED Institute of Hawaii.
Mindful Breathing & Energy Management
This module teaches students the theory and physiology of breath-holding along with the mental training necessary to stay calm and composed, and to conserve energy underwater in critical situations. Students will learn practical breathing exercises to incorporate into their regular surf preparation training.
First Aid
This module provides students with examples of hands-on training in bleeding control, spinal injury extrication, joint immobilization, and more. We focus on the most common injuries and trauma scenarios seen in surf lineups.
Water Rescue
Are you prepared to save your fellow surfer? This module will instruct students how to conduct unassisted surfboard rescue of a victim, C-Spine extrication of a victim from ocean to beach, and important in-water communication techniques to employ during an emergency. Depending on the location and common practices in that areas, this module can also offer (1) scenario-based rescue drills where students apply knowledge and training acquired over the two days into a mock rescue situation, or (2) one- and two-person jet ski rescues of a conscious and unconscious victim.
Safety Equipment
A well-prepared surfer is a well-equipped surfer. This module will demonstrate essential equipment to add to your safety quiver depending on the context of your surf mission, including first aid kits, floatation technology such as inflatable and impact vests (including Patagonia’s PSI vest), locating beacons, heavy-duty surf leashes, and more.