COMPANION RESCUE SKILLS CLINIC

The Companion Rescue Skills Clinic is a full day in the field with one of MSAA’s CAA AvSar Advanced/Ops2 guides. The day starts with reviewing and perfecting the transceiver, probe, and shovel skills learned in AST1, but quickly moves on to the advanced skills you need to be the best team mate possible. Topics include advanced techniques like alternate search strategies, flagging/marking, analogue modes, and the most current probing and shoveling strategies. Students will also learn how to deal with more complex scenarios through effective resource management, triage, and how to approach multiple burials, deep burials, and burials in close proximity.

Become the best backcountry teammate possible by polishing your existing skills, learning how to manage more difficult problems, and developing a more thorough understanding of how transceivers work.

Topics include:

• Advanced transceiver functions & alternative search strategies
• New rescue digging techniques
• Searching without a transceiver
• Deep burial searches
• Multiple burial searches
• Organizing and leading a search
• Preventative measures
• Discussion of avalanche airbags

It is not mandatory to have taken Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST1) before taking this course but it is highly recommended.

Lift Ticket: If you do NOT currently possess a valid Whistler Blackcomb lift ticket (Seasons Pass, Spirit Pass, Edge Card, Epic Pass, etc.), you may buy a Lift Ticket through our office at checkout.

Field Day - 8:30am - 4:30pm

The guide will lead a short briefing (discussing current conditions and weather) and have everyone perform a gear check. From there you will head up the mountain. The day will end at approximately 4:30pm with a quick debrief and discussion of what steps you can take after your this course.

MSAA Loyalty Program: Following the AST-1 Course all students will be added to the MSAA loyalty program. All students will receive a 10% discount on any future course with MSAA. Following the AST-1 Course we reccomend all students take the AST-2 course within the next 1-2 seasons. For more information contact our office.

Rentals/Purchase:

If you require rentals we have teamed up with local rental companies to provide discounted rentals. Visit our rental page HERE for more information!

Clothing Dress appropriately for the conditions:

• Weatherproof shell jacket and pants
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Mid layer fleece top
• Insulating top and bottom under layers and socks
• Warm hat/toque and balaclava
• 2 pairs of gloves
• Sunglasses and sunscreen

• Lift Pass
• Backpack-25-35 Litres
• Alpine touring skis/splitboard, skins, bindings, and boots
• Avalanche Safety Kit (three antenna transceiver, shovel, probe)
• Helmet
• Poles
• First Aid Kit with blister kit
• Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil (optional)
• Map, compass, GPS (optional)
• Lunch, snacks, and water

1 Day Course Topics Covered:

• Trailhead procedures - Equipment and Transceiver check
• Preventative Measures
• Prioritizing actions if caught in avalanche
• Airbags
• Transceivers 101
• Search and Rescue techniques
• Searching without a transceiver
• Multiple Burial Situations
• Deep Burial Situations
• Organize a group rescue
• Post-Incident Considerations

Click HERE for the full curriculum