AIARE Avalanche Rescue + Level 2 Combined Course

* Due to a portion of this course being funded by the Olympia Mountaineers it is only eligible to Olympia members. Priority will be given to Olympia Intermediate Climbing Students and Olympia Climbing/Winter Travel Activity Leaders until Feb 1, 2019.  A prerequisite for this course is completion of AIARE Level 1 or equivalent training.  Thanks for your understanding.  Leader permission is required to receive promo code for  special discount offered by Olympia Mountaineers * 

This is a combined AIARE Avalanche Rescue and Level 2 course. Avalanche Rescue is  a one-day stand-alone course that is a prerequisite for Level 2. Participants of Avalanche Rescue both learn the basics and expand their skills in companion rescue. AIARE Level 2 is a 3 day/24 hour course that builds up on Level 1. Participants of Level 2 advance their avalanche knowledge and decision-making skills.

At the end of this combined course, participants should be able to: 

Avalanche Rescue

• Describe what to do if they or a member of their party is caught in an avalanche.
• Identify and be able to use gear necessary for avalanche rescue.
• Set up a realistic scenario in order to practice an avalanche rescue response.
• Improve their response skills and times during and after the course with feedback from instructors and peers.
• Develop a plan for continuing practice.

Level 2

• Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
• Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
• Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
• Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.