Rich Carlson

Am I good fit for your needs? It depends …

If you are looking for someone to teach you just a few quick techniques that you can memorize, with hopes they will keep you safe and get you through every problem you encounter, there are plenty of other instructors who can provide that for you.

But …

if you want your mind to be stretched to gain an understanding of the underlying principles involved in safe and efficient anchor, rigging and rescue systems
if you want to learn a critical thinking approach to problem-solving that will enable you to assess each situation and adjust your response accordingly
if you want to acquire improv skills to utilize the simple gear you have at hand, rather than relying solely on the latest hardware and technology
if your goal is to become not only “trained”, but truly competent and self-reliant

... then my training is definitely a good fit for you.

Benefits to you as my student …

My teaching approach develops your ability to think through problems rather than just follow procedures. You’ll understand the WHY behind each technique, giving you the confidence to adapt and improvise when conditions don’t match the textbook. Instead of memorizing rigid protocols, you’ll develop the decision-making skills to assess each situation and choose the most appropriate response – making you truly self-reliant rather than dependent on having the ‘right’ gear or perfect conditions.

Confidence

Develop unshakeable confidence in your abilities through principles-based learning. When you understand the WHY behind each technique, you can adapt to any scenario - even when conditions don't match your training or gear fails. You'll move from hoping techniques work to knowing you can solve problems.

Self-Reliance

Become truly independent rather than dependent on others or on perfect conditions or on specific gear. Learn to improvise solutions using whatever equipment you have available. Master the decision-making skills that let you assess situations and respond appropriately, making you the person others turn to when things go wrong.

Value

Get maximum competency in minimum time from the instructor who developed the curriculum most others still teach. With 35+ years of real-world experience, you'll learn proven methods that work - not theoretical techniques that sound good in classrooms but fail in the field. Investment in principles-based training pays dividends for life.

Sharing my passion …

In 1990 I left corporate life to follow my passion for teaching outdoor skills. Over 35 years later, nothing brings me more fulfillment than watching students apply the principles I’ve developed to solve real problems in the field.

My proudest achievement isn’t the reputation I’ve built worldwide – it’s seeing former students become confident leaders who make canyoneering safer and more accessible for others. In 1999, I became the first American certified as a canyoning guide in Europe and founded the American Canyoneering Association. In 2017, I established Canyon Guides International to train and certify guides globally.

Now focused entirely on teaching, my greatest passion is economic development through skills training. I work with professional guides and rescue teams worldwide, with special emphasis on serving underprivileged youth and unemployed adults in Native American communities and developing countries – because outdoor skills can transform lives and communities.

Qualifications and Certifications have Included:

Senior Instructor, Officer Candidate School
Army Reserve Officer, Training, Safety
Certified Army Instructor
Certified Community College Instructor
Honor Graduate, Defense Mapping School
Honor Graduate, Officer Candidate School
AUSA Leadership Award Nominee
Meritorious Service Medal, AZARNG
Several Army accommodations for innovations in training
Certified Tope Rope Site Management, American Mountain Guides Association
Owned and operated AMGA accredited guide service, 1990-2002
Certified Canyoning Guide, Commision Europeenne de Canyon

Certified Wilderness First Responder
Certified First Aid and CPR Instructor
Certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT2)
Certified Ropes Challenge Course Facilitator
Certified High Angle Rope Rescue Technician
Technical Rescue Training - Rescue 3 International
Technical Rescue Training - CMC Rescue
Technical Rescue Training - Ropes that Rescue
Technical Rescue Training - Rigging for Rescue
Founder, American Canyoneering Association
Founder and Technical Director, American Canyon Guides Association
Technical Director, Hong Kong Canyoning Association
Founder, Canyon Guides International

Features in Film, Television and Radio:

My adventure programs and courses have been featured in the media around the world, including the documentary film, Gorging. Currently available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.

From the film’s description: “Faced with a new era of off-the-couch recreationalists, three influential pioneers, a canyoneering instructor (Rich Carlson), photographer (Dennis Turville), and guidebook author (Michael Kelsey) each respond to a growing interest in the dangerous activity.”

An episode of a PBS series called "Anyplace Wild", hosted by John Viehman, then editor of Backpacker Magazine
An episode of "Treks in a Wild Wold" for Lonely Planet
An episode of "Nature of Champions" with rock climber, Isabelle Patisier for French television.
ABC News
BBC Radio (Britain)
Cable Channel 12, Tucson
CBS News, The Early Show
CCTV 13 National News (China)
Channel 3 News, Phoenix
Channel 10 News, Phoenix
Channel 10 "On the Arizona Road"
National Public Radio
Nickelodeon GAS
Play TV (Taiwan)
Two episodes of "Worst Case Scenario"