Avalanche Education

NSP Level 1 Avalanche (Hybrid) – Fall/Winter 2023-2024

Hyak Patrol in cooperation with King County Ski Patrol and Rescue (SPART) will be offering NSP Level 1 Avalanche course as a Hybrid course in the Fall/Winter of 2023-2024.

NSP Level 1 Avalanche covers all of the Learning Outcomes and Core Curriculum Content for Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Training described by the American Avalanche Association. It includes all the same training one would get from completing both Rec Level 1 & Companion Rescue, it also includes additional material specific to rescue personnel like Organized Rescue techniques.

The course is open to:

  • NSP members from any area or patrol, candidate, active, associate, or alumni
  • non-NSP members who are active in local Search and Rescue units

Registration

Sign up on nsp.org:

  • Non-NSP members can sign up on nsp.org’s Center for Learning after creating a free account on nsp.org.
  • courses: Using the nsp.org > Center for Learning >
    • Avalanche Level 1 Module 1 – Classroom Avalanche Foundations
    • Avalanche Level 1 Module 2 – Avalanche Safety and Rescue Skills
    • Avalanche Level 1 Module 3 – Organized Avalanche Rescue
    • filter for “Hyak Ski Patrol”

Pay for the class

Use this Buy Now button below to pay for the class.

Contact brad.hefta-gaub@kcspart.org for more information.

Class Details

This will be a hybrid course including:

  • Live Zoom meetings for class orientation/kick-off, and weekly Q&A sessions
    • Online classes from November 14th, 2023 – December 12th, 2023
  • Online material covering classroom topics
    • A passing grade on a online/written test is required for attendance of field days
  • 2 full day In person field sessions
    • Field Sessions weather dependent on January 13th/14th, 2024 or February 3th/4th, 2024

This course will cover:

  • Module 1: Avalanche Foundations
    • Topic 1: Avalanche Classification and Nomenclature
    • Topic 2: The Avalanche Triangle
      • Topic 2A: Weather Factors
      • Topic 2B: Snowpack
      • Topic 2C: Terrain
    • Topic 3: Instability and Avalanche Release
    • Topic 4: Human Factors
    • Topic 5: Personal Safety
      • Topic 5A: Principles of Safe Travel
      • Topic 5B: Travel Planning and Preparation
      • Topic 5C: Decision Making in the Field
    • Topic 6: Rescue Principles
      • Topic 6A: Escape and Survival
      • Topic 6B: Companion Rescue
  • Module 2: Field Skills
    • Weather Observations
    • Terrain Evaluation
    • Route Selection and Safe Travel Practices
    • Snowpack Observations
    • Tests and Instability Evaluation
    • Hazard Evaluation and Decision Tools
    • Integrated Field Exercises
    • Companion Rescue
  • Module 3: Organized Avalanche Rescue
    • Topic 1: Principles of Organized Rescue
    • Topic 2: Avalanche Rescue Plans
    • Topic 3: Rescue in Different Settings and Common Mistakes
    • Topic 4: Personnel Safety in Rescue Operations
    • Topic 5: Emergency Care for Avalanche Victims
    • Field Activity 1: Transceiver Search
    • Field Activity 2: Formal Probe Lines
    • Field Activity 3: Rescue Route Finding
    • Field Activity 4: Organized Rescue Simulation