AVALANCHE COURSES
COURSES & DATES
Iceland REC 1+
March 9 - March 12 2023 from Akureyri
March 16 - March 19 2023 from Akureyri
March 23 - March 26 2023 - Womans course
Price: 135.000ISK
For additional information, please do send an email to info@icelandsnowsports.com or call +354 773 6625
These courses includes Avalanche Level 1 and AAA Rescue module integrated into Avalanche Science's REC1+ course.
Prerequisite
Able to ski powder snow and familiar with ski touring (on skis or split-board) equipment. Own avalanche rescue equipment; metal shovel, 3-meter probe, 3 or 4 antenna transceiver.
Must have a medium size backpack to carry avalanche rescue equipment, day lunch, water, hot drink, ski touring skins, and other personal gear. We suggest a backpack with a minimum size of 32 liters.
Pre-course material
4-hour online ZOOM class-room training
Course Format
1-day- internet-ZOOM classroom sessions scheduled from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Three days of fieldwork and backcountry ski touring.
Course leader
Santiago (Chago) Rodriguez
Avalanche educator since 1996.
A certified instructor for the American Avalanche Association (AAA), AAA PRO 1 and PRO 2 Instructor, and Owner of Avalanche Science LLC, an avalanche education entity endorsed by the AAA. Chago is also, an avalanche instructor trainer for the National Ski Patrol.
Chago is Geophysics Ph.D. candidate with specialization in snow metamorphism studies with microwave sensors and remote Sensing. He also do work for NASA as a snow and avalanche Researcher at the CryoGARS group - Boise State University.
Chago is a ski guide with extensive experience in Central Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Colorado, the Argentinean and Chilean Andes, and the Andorran and Spanish Pyrenees.
Learning Outcomes for REC1+ Module
- Gain an understanding of avalanche beacon technology and receive advanced training in avalanche companion rescue techniques.
- Safe travel in avalanche terrain; protocols, rituals, and human factors.
- Recognize avalanche terrain and the role of slope angles. Estimating and measuring slope angles.
- Introduce Avalanche Release Conceptual model and develop a systematic method for avalanche risk assessment and execution of safe travel plans.Gain an understanding of the science of snow crystals, metamorphism, and slab avalanche fracture mechanics.
- Understand the impact of weather in the snowpack. Track precipitation, wind, and temperature critical thresholds driving stability.
- Target observations relevant to the avalanche problem of the day.
- Reliable identification of slab and weak layer structures in snow pits. Characterize snowpack structure reactivity with basic stability tests.
Learning Outcomes for RESCUE Module
- Conduct transceiver functional verification at the trailhead.
- Understanding of the value and the function of avalanche rescue equipment.
- Demonstrate the operation of a transceiver/beacon.
- Demonstrate professional level probing techniques.
- Become a reliable avalanche rescue companion.
- Comfortable executing avalanche single victim rescues with a team.
- Competent rescuer during two-victims avalanche scenarios.
- Demonstrate or identify the steps necessary to be able to complete a two-avalanche victim rescue in less than 7 minutes in a 50x50 meter area.
- Effective communication during avalanche rescues.
- Capable of generating Emergency Response Plans.
- Internalize that an avalanche incident is a medical emergency, and develop familiarity with potential injuries and potential medical issues common on buried avalanche victims.
- Develop awareness about the value of WFA/WFR/OEC/WEMT training.