The IRIA was formed in California, in 1984, as a certification body for swiftwater rescue courses. Today the IRIA is a non profit professional organisation registered in North Carolina and British Columbia, Canada. The IRIA certifies individuals and products, around the world, that meet performance based standards set by court recognised subject matter experts and members of the associations' practising instructor cadre, in many life-safety and rescue fields. Course development is based on needs and task analysis.
Accredited courses are modular based with pre and post links.
The objectives of each module are clearly stated, are referenced and have applicable questions for each module to ensure key knowledge points are reinforced. Objectives are clearly linked to applications in the real world. Practical and written evaluations are recorded and tracked, and participants' results are quantified and reviewed for maximum learning impact. The courses support that which is safer, simpler, more efficient and more effective. Risk is managed formally throughout the courses.