Assessment swims and self rescue

Class completed and first certified guide program in Bhutan over!

It’s been an awesome week in the Kingdom of Bhutan training local river guides and certifying them in Rescue and first aid. It’s never hard training a group of enthusiast and motivated guides, who will be the first to train in country to an international standard.

 I’ve been here with colleagues Gerry Moffatt and Pat O Keefe for the last week, all of us with a long history of Himalayan river running and all of us here to help the river industry within the country to progress and develop.

Time to set some assessment scenarios!

 I’ve been here to train and certify them as Rescue 3 International ‘White water rescue Technicians’. An international standard recognised globally, and giving them the essential rescue skills as a river guide. This will be the first rescue 3 program run in Bhutan and with ‘Live The Adventure’ having recognition as the preferred training provider here from Rescue 3 international, it will hopefully be the first of many courses for guides and assist to set standards for the river industry as it develops and grows with the advance of adventure tourism.

 With the monsoon appearing to subside away, it’s been a hot week on the river bank, yet pretty fresh in the water. Learning essential skills on and off the water we were based in the stunning Punakha valley, home to the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers and some fantastic whitewater and rafting venues.

Award ceremony and the first Rescue 3 certification awarded in Bhutan

The Superintendent for Punakha District presenting the certification

 Yesterday saw the course closure and formal award ceremony based on the banks of the Mo Chu river with the Police Superintendent of Punakha present to hand over the certificates and reward the guides with their well earned certificates and achievement. The First guides to lead the way in the emerging river industry. A very rewarding moment not just for them, but all of us involved.

The first certified guides and in country Rescue 3 training program in Bhutan

 I always feel lucky being in Bhutan, but being able to help move the river industry forward has been well worth being here.In keeping with ‘Live The Adventures’ Ethos I firmly believe in giving something back to the countries we are privileged to visit and be an active part of assisting the development of sustainable tourism.

Hard at work!

 With the course over I head over to Thimphu to attend a Seminar hosted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan with Gerry, Pat and myself as guest speakers and consultants advising them of codes of practice around the world and industry standards. The river industry in Bhutan is striving to set standards of operation as well as a governing body and licensing scheme.

I’ll be posting a short film of the training soon! keep an eye out!

More on this tomorrow,

 Ant

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