HREC 248 Avalanche Safety
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry ski trip, to understand basic avalanche avoidance decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person in avalanche country. The course will be conducting ski tours for several hours in winter travel conditions including cold temperatures, deep snow, low visibility, wind, etc.. Students are expected to practice good judgement, and communicate effectively within the group. This course runs in the spring semester with a required overnight trip. Students are expected to be able to ski in control at an intermediate level. The program has avalanche rescue and backcountry ski equipment for the students. Students that would prefer to snowboard need to provide their own split board, boots, bindings, and skins. Students will be working towards a Rec Level 1 Avalanche Certification throughout this course.
Prerequisite
Instructor Permission
HREC 248Avalanche Safety
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
2 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
0
Semester Contact Hours Lab
60
Prerequisite Narrative
Instructor Permission
III. Catalog Course Description
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry ski trip, to understand basic avalanche avoidance decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person in avalanche country. The course will be conducting ski tours for several hours in winter travel conditions including cold temperatures, deep snow, low visibility, wind, etc.. Students are expected to practice good judgement, and communicate effectively within the group. This course runs in the spring semester with a required overnight trip. Students are expected to be able to ski in control at an intermediate level. The program has avalanche rescue and backcountry ski equipment for the students. Students that would prefer to snowboard need to provide their own split board, boots, bindings, and skins. Students will be working towards a Rec Level 1 Avalanche Certification throughout this course.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- To explain how snow crystals are formed; to recognize basic crystal types; and to distinguish between the differences between precipitated and non-precipitated forms of snow
- To understand the metamorphic processes which occur in snow packs; and to appreciate how such processes change snow appearance and the ways in which they affect snow stability
- To understand the differences between slab and loose snow avalanches, including their component parts, how they develop and their relative dangers
- To explain five primary factors (and associated sub-factors) which influence avalanche hazard: new snow, old snow, terrain, wind, and temperature
- To demonstrate techniques of self and assisted avalanche rescue; to correctly use transceivers; and to demonstrate correct technique during a simulated rescue with the use of probes
- To develop rudimentary skills of analyzing snow pits, including identifying crystal types, locating potential weak layers and making stability judgments
- Student Demonstrate Rescue techniques and evaluate Snow Stability
- Student & Understand Fundamental Principles of Snow Physics
- Student Understand Factors Influencing Avalanche Hazard
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Knowledge of snow formation and deposition
Knowledge of the process to recognize unsafe terrain
Knowledge of the safe practices for rescue
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
AIARE Certification Exams