2008 ISIA Avalanche Course
Description:.
Commercial ski/snowboard areas in other parts of the world are vastly different from NZ in size, terrain, snow conditions and operation policies. The ISIA Avalanche course is intended for ski, snowboard and telemark instructors wanting to expand their knowledge of the mountain environment, to travel safely within it and impart knowledge useful for an instructor within organized area boundaries worldwide.
It is also a required course towards achieving international status (ISIA) from your NZSIA Stage II instructing qualification. Documented attendance at a professional MSC Avalanche Stage I course or a MSC Backcountry Course is acceptable as a cross-credit for the ISIA Avalanche Course toward ISIA status.
The ISIA Avalanche course provides a better understanding of avalanche phenomenon and what is needed to make decisions about personal safety when travelling in avalanche terrain with a group. Additionally, this course will help develop more advanced observation and route finding skills for moving in the mountains. Although we stress the need for avoiding avalanche related rescue, time is also dedicated to learning the technical skills required for small party rescue and handling other emergency situations.
Prerequisites.There is no prerequisite study for the ISIA course, although participants need to be capable of travelling in the backcountry safely and comfortably, (see Field Days below).
The course may be attended by any current financial member of the NZSIA, (i.e. Associate, CSI, Stage I, Stage II, etc).
Content/Format:
The ISIA Avalanche course is four days in length and involves a daily combination of classroom and field study. The length of each and sequence may vary do to weather or other considerations. Field study may take place within and beyond commercial ski area boundaries. This course will be taught by a UIAGM guide or NZMGA Winter qualified guide who is also Stage II Avalanche qualified. The course covers:.
• Mountain weather and NZ information sources.
• Snow Stability (sources, characteristics, changes and basic tests).
• Decision making and human influences.
• Safety equipment (including use of transceivers)
• Identification of avalanche terrain (including relationship to map).
• Characteristics of avalanche phenomenon.
• Observation techniques.
• Group travel in avalanche terrain.
• Small party search and rescue.
• Handling emergency situations.
• Snow shelter construction.
• Future study options.
Lectures.
Lectures generally begin in the morning at 9am and are prior to an afternoon field session if the classroom is on the mountain. The day usually concludes in the classroom by 4pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a notepad and pencil. Off-mountain classroom venues may involve morning meetings or evening sessions the night prior to a field day. The venue will be confirmed by your instructor. Please arrive promptly and “ready to learn”..
Field Days.
Field days focus on practical aspects and last half to two thirds of the day.
Participants are required to bring a 20-50 L. backpack capable of carrying skis or snowboards and avalanche & personal safety gear.
Limited amounts of avalanche safety gear, (457 kHz transceiver, and collapsible probe and shovel) may be available from your instructor or local sports shop at your additional expense (and may vary by region). Snow (or pruning) saws and compass will be useful but not required..
Your personal safety gear should include an extra layer of clothing, sun protection, water, snacks and perhaps a pack lunch.
Additionally, you will need a means of travel in the backcountry, (for usually the last 3 of the 4 days). Depending on the conditions, climbing skins with touring skis/bindings, snowshoes and occasionally ski/snowboard boots are options. Contact your instructor for your most likely needs and possible sources for hire or purchase..
Transceiver competency will be the only assessed component of the course to the following standard:
Locate 1 transceiver buried 30cm deep below a 50cm x 50cm target within 4 minutes within a 20m x 20m site.
Certificate:
For ISIA Avalanche Courses, a ‘Certificate of Attendance/Transceiver Competency’ will be issued by the provider. Participants must attend the entire course to receive attendance credit.Further Information is available under DOWNLOADS from front page of website..
