Course Content
Avalanche Rescue Principles:
- Survival rates and times
- Victim demographics and statistics
- Review of avalanche avoidance
- Escape and survival techniques if caught in an avalanche
- Rescuer safety / Response
- Recent developments & research
Avalanche Gear & Technique
- Digital Beacon- Multi antennae 457 kHz Standard(modern technology)
- Electrical Interference (Phones, GoPro’s, Heated Gloves, etc.)
- Probing and Shoveling technique
- Additional optional safety gear/ response
- Airbags
- Avalungs
- Helmets
- Recco
- Outside Rescue
- Search & Rescue
- Avalanche Dogs
- Organized Probelines
Companion Rescue Process
- Scene Safety and Scene Size-up
- Communication, Organization, and Leadership
- Last seen area & number of victims
- Activating EMS
- Search Techniques (spot, rapid response)
- Transceiver Search (signal, coarse, fine)
- Pinpointing techniques (Probing)
- Non-Transceiver Searching (Surface Clues)
- Probing & Shoveling practice & techniques
- Troubleshooting common problems
- Group & Resource Management
- Deep Burials
- Communications
- Reporting
Avalanche Victim Basic Patient Care
- Briefly describe and anticipate common medical and trauma problems
- Include resuscitation, hypothermia and trauma management
- Recommend Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Course
Course Overview
Course Description
Skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry is much safer and much more fun when you have an understanding of avalanches. Knowing when you can go big and knowing when you need to dial it back. Nobody wants to be that partner that can't make informed decisions or be counted on during a rescue. Spend an evening in the classroom and a day on the snow with the pros to learn how to get out in the backcountry, have fun and come home ready to do it again. Each one of our Backcountry 101 course is lead by a U.A.C avalanche forecaster. Our instructor team is made up of local guides, ski patrol, and professional riders, all with years of experience teaching avalanche education.
The Introduction to Companion Rescue class teaches you the skills needed to rescue a buried avalanche victim. You learn search techniques and how to effectively use your rescue gear, how to manage a group and work together as a team. We’ll cover common mistakes made during rescues and what to do once a buried partner is uncovered.
Hands-on practice is key when it comes to learning these skills. We spend the majority of this course on snow practicing with your rescue equipment and going through rescue scenarios. We have a 6:1 student to instructor ratio to make sure that each student receives coaching on their technique and the opportunity to run through multiple scenarios.
You must have a beacon, shovel, probe (and headlamp). Dress warm and bring the pack and contents you would normally have with you when you head into the backcountry for a day. We will be moving around on foot so you do not need to bring your skis, snowmobiles, snowboards or snowshoes.
Who should take this course?
This class is for skiers, snowboarders, sidecountry riders, snowmobilers, snowbikers, hikers, snowshoers - anyone who goes into the backcountry in winter. This course is designed as an introduction for those who are new to the backcountry. It can serve as a refresher for those who do not regularly practice rescue skills or for someone looking to learn the most up to date rescue techniques.
What is required for this course?
This is an introductory level course and therefore can be your first avalanche education course. For this course you are required to provide your own avalanche rescue equipment. You’ll need a modern 457 kHz Digital 3-Antenna beacon, a collapsable probe 240 cm or longer, a solid collapsible metal shovel, and a backpack to carry your equipment. Make sure that you are familiar with how to assemble your probe and shovel, turn your beacon on and off and into search/send modes. If you need to purchase rescue equipment you can do so here. A portion of your sale benefits the Utah Avalanche Center.
Course Goals
- Be able to perform a full avalanche burial rescue in less than 10 minutes using proper techniques
- Wear & operate an avalanche beacon.
- Perform a mock companion recovery of a single and/or multiple burial search (dependent on personal experience level).
- Understand challenges involving multiple rescuers and learn basic group management & communication.
- Understand how to continue to practice and improve rescue skills.
- Knowledge of additional educational resources.
- Location of beacon training parks.
Course Objectives
- Perform signal search, coarse search and fine search.
- Properly demonstrate proper probing techniques.
- Properly demonstrate strategic shoveling techniques.
- Effectively communicate during a rescue with each other.