STANDARD COMPETENCIES

 

 

 1. Recognize the core components and learning progression of the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Field Technician Program

 2. Identify various roles of snow workers across industry sectors

 3. Describe the characteristics of professionals working in avalanche safety

 4. Demonstrate application of skills and knowledge acquired in level 1 avalanche safety and basic rescue curriculum

 5. Describe acceptable risk in the workplace

 6. Demonstrate winter environment self-care and basic field equipment repair

 7. Execute fundamental activities of small group avalanche rescue with medical care

 8. Demonstrate safe travel in and around avalanche terrain

 9. Demonstrate efficient travel on both motorized and non-motorized equipment

 10. Describe the fundamentals of weather

 11. Describe the fundamentals of avalanches

 12. Identify the fundamental legal and ethical issues that confront avalanche workers

 TOPICAL OUTLINE

 

 I. Program overview

      a. Introduction to the portfolio-based program and initial layout and advising in portfolio development

      b. Identification of program advisor

      c. Avalanche safety worker careers and Industry overview

      d. Overview of core program concepts

      e. Overview of Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Field Technician Program leadership roles and expectations

      f. Overview of operating in a workplace environment as an avalanche safety worker; standards, risk, professionalism, modeling leadership

      g. Introduction to risk management concepts for avalanche safety workers

 II. Basic winter work and travel skills

      a. Equipment/clothing

      b. Self-care, health, and fitness

      c. Self-rescue: review and explore equipment field repair, motorized and non

      d. Basic snowmobile travel, equipment, and maintenance

 III. Validation and application of Level 1 avalanche safety and rescue course information and skills

      a. Safety equipment and use

      b. Basic avalanche rescue review, assess / evaluate avalanche rescue skills and knowledge

      c. Safe travel / terrain management

      d. Trip planning decision making process

      e. Evaluation of terrain and terrain use / basic route finding

      f. Human Factors and Group Dynamics

 IV. Basic medical considerations in winter backcountry travel and avalanche rescue

 V. Understanding the avalanche forecast

 VI. Introduction of the conceptual model of avalanche hazard

 VII. Introduction of avalanche safety risk management and ISO31000

 VIII. Introduction to the forecast process: Sellman funnel, temporal and spatial scale

 IX. Overview of snow, weather, and avalanche science: the scientific method

 X. Making field observations

 XI. Legal and ethical considerations for snow workers