Skip to main content
Government of Ireland funding logo
EU funding logo

River Safety and Rescue

Learn about the necessary awareness and proactive accident prevention knowledge and skills required by any individual who works in or around the water environment.

New for 2023

Apply now

Course Overview

This five day course will consist of four certifications as listed below. The structure of the course is two days in a sit-on-top kayak on flat water with RSR1 embedded. This builds your skills and confidence to spend the following 3 days in a sit-on-top kayak on moving water with RSR2 embedded. All training and assessment is included.

  1. River Safety and Rescue Level 1:
    Designed for people who wish to undertake relevant training in safety and rescue techniques appropriate for Grade I water.  The RSR 1 aims to develop a culture of safety, awareness, and proactive accident prevention in canoe sports in Ireland.
  2. Sit-On-Top Flat-Water Skills Award:
    Paddle safely and competently on a sit-on-top on sheltered flat water as a member of a group being led. Assist in basic flat water rescues.
  3. River Safety and Rescue Level 2:
    This course is designed for canoeists who wish to undertake relevant training in Safety and Rescue Techniques appropriate for Grade II water. The RSR 2 aims to develop a culture of safety, awareness, and proactive accident prevention in white water sports in Ireland.
  4. Sit-On-Top River Skills Award:
    Paddle safely and competently on rivers up to and including Grade II rivers as a member of a group of peers. Be capable of negotiating obstacles likely to be encountered on Grade II rivers. Assist in rescues.

Why should I apply?

If you are someone who works or recreates around water then this is the course for you. This course will teach you how to assess the water environment you are in and make good decisions that will keep you safe at work or your family and friends safe when recreating.

What will I study ?

  • River Safety and Rescue 1 (Canoeing Ireland) (CanIr-RSR 1) 

  • Sit-on-Top Flat-Water Skills (CanIr-SOT Flat) Canoeing Ireland (ICUSTFS) 

  • Sit-on-Top River Skills (CanIr-SOT Riv) Canoeing Ireland (ICUSTR) 

  • River Safety and Rescue Training 2 - (Canoeing Ireland) (CanIr-RSR2)

What's the certification?

  • River Safety and Rescue 1 (Canoeing Ireland) (CanIr-RSR 1)
  • Sit-on-Top Flat-Water Skills (CanIr-SOT Flat) Canoeing Ireland (ICUSTFS)
  • Sit-on-Top River Skills (CanIr-SOT Riv) Canoeing Ireland (ICUSTR)
  • River Safety and Rescue Training 2 – (Canoeing Ireland) (CanIr-RSR2)

What are the entry requirements?

  • Applicants must be 18+ years of age on entry to the course.

  • Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.

  • Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).

  • Mature applicant route available for applicants aged 23+.

  • Leaving Cert, LCVP, LCA or QQI Level 4 Major Award.

  • An interest in working in outdoor activities.

What is the cost ?

There is a fee of €200 for this course.  All materials and books are provided.

Part-time Courses - FAQs

FET is short for Further Education & Training. Kerry College is an integrated college of FET. This means we do both progression-focused further education programmes and a range of employment-focused skills training programmes.

We enroll twice each year - January and September.

Part-time programmes run on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and increasingly online.

This depends on the course you choose. 

Some courses have long waiting lists, others - not so much. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so the best advice we can offer is to apply in plenty of time.

We enroll over 1000 applicants to our part-time courses each year - so it's always busy.

As places are offered based on the date of application, our team could be working their way down through the list.

That said, always check.

You can call Mary on our Part-time courses team at 066-7149696.

Although all of our part-time courses are fee-paying, we do have a DEASP Fee Waiver in place for those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. 

This is subject to a waiting list and demand for course places.

Most part-time courses run at Kerry College are Minor awards.

A Minor award is commonly referred to as a module - but also as a component certificate or a certificate of unit credit.

These single 'modules' may be completed and certificated individually. All minor awards are linked to a major award that allows learners to collect and build their minor awards and work towards gaining a major award.

Applications for all part-time programmes should be made online - via the Kerry College website or www.fetchcourses.ie

FETCH COURSES is the national application system for all FET course applications. 

All new applicants must set up a free account on www.fetchcourses.ie. You must use this to apply for all further education and training progarmmes anywhere in Ireland. 

For existing Fetch Courses account holders, login and apply as before. 

You can reset your password using your email or mobile phone. When you do, make sure you keep it for future reference.

Bear in mind, FETCH uses your PPS number to identify you - so although you might be able to set up a second account - it won't work properly.

If you're still stuck, contact our Admissions team on 066-714 96 96

No, aside from the DEASP Fee Waiver, all part-time courses are fee-paying.

Find Courses