Avalanche rescue Skills Course Information Package
This is an information package for students who have already registered for this course. If you landed on this page from a Google email me for information on avalanche courses.
If you have already signed up for a course please read this information package carefully. It should answer all your questions but if not you can contact me.
Course participants NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.
Acknowledgment of Risk
It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk in all mountain activities.
You will need to sign the waiver when you arrive for your trip. Please read the waiver before the trip so you understand what the risks are and what you will be signing when you begin the trip.
Safety is our number one priority. You trust the guides to be dialed in and to be able to manage risk on a trip, but it goes both ways. We need to be able to trust you to help manage your personal risk as well. Our risk is shared, the guides are at risk just like you are and you can help keep them safe just like they work at keeping you safe.
The most important person in managing your personal risk is YOU. If you prepare even just a little beforehand you can help keep yourself, the other members of the group, and the guides safe. There are a variety of ways you can help manage your risk on your trip:
Listen to the guides’ instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask!
Be aware of the situation around you. As you travel through the terrain think of what you can do to reduce risk for yourself and the group (EG place yourself in a safe spot at regroups in avalanche terrain, keep the glacier rope tight, place yourself in the best position to avoid rockfall etc).
If you have received previous safety instruction pertinent to the trip review and practice that training before the trip.
Consider taking a course that involves safety training relevant to the trip (EG avalanche rescue, crevasse rescue, rock rescue).
Speak up. If you see something you feel is hazardous, mention it to the guide. If you feel uncomfortable with what you perceive is a risk, mention it to the guide. We can discuss your concerns and change what we are doing if necessary.
Traveling in the mountains together as a group is all about having trust in each other’s abilities. In over 30 years of guiding I have only had to deal with three minor incidents requiring an immediate evacuation. We do not expect an accident but we need to be prepared in case there is one. The more we trust each other the more we will all enjoy our time in the mountains together because we know we are able to take care of each other in the unlikely case there is a problem.
Your Instructor
The lead instructor is Mark Klassen. I have been working as a ski patroller, guide and avalanche forecaster since the mid 80's and am an ACMG/IFMGA certified Mountain guide.
Meeting Time (Mountain Standard Time) and place
Both days: Normally we meet in Lake Louise, upstairs in the lounge at the Lake Louise International Hostel and Alpine Centre, at 7.30 AM. The exact location and time may change, if so this will be communicated shortly before the course.
Course Itinerary
Morning meet. Indoor discussion on safety equipment required for ski touring.
Move to a field location, usually about a 20 minute drive.
Probing and digging exercise, usually in a hardened snowbank in a parking lot.
Short ski tour to another field site, usually 20 minutes or less.
Multiple burial and deep burial transceiver searches.
Multiple burial avalanche scenario practice, including patient care and extrication.
Roadside debrief.
Possible Itinerary Changes
There is always the possibility of having to change this itinerary due to weather or snow conditions.
Pre-Course Preparation
Before the course please do the following:
Be prepared for a day in the field where you will either be standing around or working hard. Bring lots of layered warm clothing.
Practice with your transceiver as much as possible before the course. The better you are with your transceiver searching when you come into the course the more you will learn during the course.
Safety in the Field
Safety is our first priority. There are a variety of ways you can help make this a safe trip for all of us:
Listen to the instructor's instructions and if you are uncertain of what is expected of you please ask
Take the online avalanche course at the Avalanche Canada website.
Practice with your avalanche transceiver before the trip. Make sure it both transmits and receives at least 30 m away. Understand all its functions and how to use them.
Please participate in a avalanche rescue scenario practice with some friends before the course.
We will be able to communicate with each other and outside agencies with cell phones, radios and my InReach device.
Risk
It is important to understand that no matter how well prepared we are there is still an element of risk to backcountry skiing. To lower your risk do the prep work I’ve outlined in the safety section above. You can have a large impact in regards to your own safety!
Medical Issues
If you have any pertinent medical issues that I should know about, please make sure you include that when you fill in the guest information form.
Remember, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Click here to read and understand the guide waiver. You will need to sign this waiver at the beginning of the trip. It is important that you understand it before you arrive.
Have a look at the gear list and make sure you are able to bring everything on the list.
Let me know if you need me to provide any equipment for you.