Whether you’re a seasoned river guide or a recreational boater, the conversation around whitewater safety is constantly evolving. In this featured interview, Zach Collier sits down with safety expert Jim Coffey to discuss the modern state of whitewater rescue, breaking down everything from technical gear debates to the fundamental ways we approach rescue education.

Here is a summary of the key takeaways from their deep dive into the world of river safety.

One of the first topics Zach and Jim tackled was the terminology we use. While the terms are often used interchangeably, Jim notes that the industry has developed a functional split:

Jim emphasizes that organizations like Rescue 3 have formalized this by designing specific technician courses tailored to each group’s unique environment and gear.

A major theme of the interview was the methodology of rescue instruction. Jim argues that many practitioners try to jump into complex scenarios before mastering the basics. He breaks rescue education into three distinct phases:

The conversation didn't shy away from technical debates regarding personal protective equipment (PPE):

When deciding what to teach (and what to practice), Jim uses a quadrant system to measure importance:

Ultimately, the goal of these conversations isn't necessarily to reach a single "correct" answer. Instead, it’s about fostering civil, educated discourse. By sharing different perspectives—from European "clean line" theories to various mechanical advantage systems—the entire whitewater community becomes more versatile and, ultimately, safer.