Swis is a formally trained and certified guide.  Swis is an Endorsed Rock Instructor by the United States Mountain Guides Association (USMGA), and he is a Certified Rock Instructor (formerly called "Level 1 Rock Guide")  by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)  These certifications are the result of years of climbing and guiding experience.  Certification involves educational courses, apprenticeship instruction from senior guides, and finally a week long exam involving graded guiding and rescue scenarios on multi-pitch technical terrain.  The AMGA examination process is the only benchmark for professional  guides in the United States, and indicates a high level of technical and practical proficiency.  Perhaps more importantly, it indicates a commitment to client care and continuing professional development.

Swis is well trained in mountain rescue skills.  Swis completed the Peruvian/Swiss High Mountains Guides Rescue Course  (AGMP)/(UIAGM) in 1999.  This course, which drew guides from all over South America,  took place in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, and involved 4 days of glacier rescue scenarios and technical skill assessments in situ on the glaciers of the Blanca.  Swis will also be contributing author to David Fasulo's upcoming book Self-Rescue, printed by Falcon Press. 

Swis is one of the most thoroughly trained guides in wilderness and pre-hospital medicine in the United States. Swis's medical training is represented by the letters WEMT-P/WALS/M.D.  WEMT-P means that Swis is an Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician with additional Paramedic licensure.  WALS training is wilderness-specific advanced life support training open only to physicians, nurses, and paramedics.  The course provided advanced training in the wilderness use of fluid resuscitation, invasive airways and procedures, etc.   Swis also holds an M.D. degree.  Swis teaches wilderness medicine for Wilderness Medical Associates.  Swis is lead author of the chapter entitled  "Patient Assessment" in the forthcoming book "Self-Rescue."

Swis is an experienced outdoor educator.   Swis has worked on the climbing staff at the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS),  has developed the climbing program at the University of Georgia,  and has worked as a wilderness instructor for Red Top Center in Jackson, Wyoming.  Swis holds a PhD from the University of Georgia in ecological anthropology (studying humans and their interaction with nature).  He teaches classes at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw Ga.  Further, he has written articles for Rock & Ice magazine on topics such as east-coast climbing and Andean frostbite.