Water and Flood Awareness DEFRA MOD 2

A classroom-based course, designed to provide personnel who may be working near water with sufficient knowledge to be aware of the hazards created by this environment, and develop an understanding of water rescue techniques. The Water and Flood Awareness course is for those supporting rescue teams.

Annex H and Water Rescue Scotland

At Water Rescue Scotland, we often recommend Annex H-level training for organisations that need staff to operate safely around water and flooding events but do not require a rescue capability.

For personnel who routinely work in rivers, streams, or other water environments, our Safe Working in Water course often provides a more appropriate and practical solution, combining water safety, self-rescue, risk assessment, and safe working techniques for operational staff.

Course Length

6 hours (1 Day)

Course content includes

• Water rescue standards
• Rescuer instruction philosophy and 'absolutes'
• Rescuer safety
• Water and flood dynamics and hazards
• Basic swiftwater swimming and self rescue
• Flood theory
• Personal and team equipment
• On-scene safety briefing and site control
• Pre-planning and incident management
• Drowning, medical and personal welfare considerations
• Mud, ice and unstable surface considerations
• Communications

Qualification valid for

3 years

course standard

Rescue 3 Europe AW standard (PDF)

The course standards are provided as pre- and post-course reference for people involved in the delivery of Rescue 3 courses (eg Rescue 3 training providers, instructors and students). They are not to be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of Rescue 3 Europe.

Defra Level

Module 1 - Water Awareness - General water safety awareness training and basic land-based rescue techniques