HREC 248 Avalanche Safety

Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry 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.

Credits

1 Credit

Semester Contact Hours Lab

30

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

Department

Health Recreation and Fitness

II. Course Specification

Course Type

Program Requirement

Credit Hours Narrative

1 Credit

Semester Contact Hours Lab

30

Grading Method

Pass/fail

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry 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.

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

Required Exams

AIARE Certification Exams

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

AIARE Certification Exams