Alaska's waters are beautiful, but if you're not prepared, they can be deadly.
Rescue officials say that Alaskan tides are some of the strongest in the world making swift water rescues especially difficult.
"If you realize you're in trouble, you've already started the clock," said Chief William Chadwick, Girdwood Fire Department. "We're in a race against a tide to come out and get you before we get the tidal board comes in or before the point where the water changes and we don't have access anymore."
Over the weekend, 24 first-responders from six different search and rescue groups from around the state took part in a three-day swift water rescue training.
During the training, rescuers ran a number of rescue situations, including an over turned boat rescue, victim removal and contact swimmer rescue.
The Girdwood Fire Department sponsors the annual training, which includes one day of classroom training and two days in the field.
Rescue officials say they respond to around 20-water related emergency calls each year, and the best way to reduce that number is by promoting awareness and self-rescue techniques.
"To me it comes back to really the proper training and the proper background and experience to recognize those hazards and avoid them before you even get into them and need the help," said Brian McGorry, Alaska Search and Rescue Association.
Contact Blake Essig