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Team building: avalanche safety & rescue training

Learning to manage risk and communicate as a team through risk management in avalanche situations

REGION

Jura, Alps

PERIOD

December-March

DURATION

1 or 2 days

LODGING

N/A

Private groups

Choose your date and custom arrangements

Upcoming public outings

Modern avalanche risk and safety management frameworks can help teams develop their communication and collaboration skills. Learn how to realistically assess and manage risk, moving safely through exposed terrain and learning to use avalanche safety equipment as a team

You will follow the "Winter 1: Safety & Avalanches" module of the Swiss Mountain Training certification, with an introduction to the fundamentals of winter mountain risk management. This is a 1 day course for beginners in avalanche safety.


Objectives of the SMT 1 Module


  • Know your equipment

  • Understand the avalanche bulletin

  • Understand how to wear and operate your avalanche transceiver

  • Be aware of the main winter hazards (avalanches, cold, weather hazards, ledges, disorientation, falls...)

  • Have been introduced to the 3x3

  • Understand the 4 typical avalanche situations and be able to answer the question: "What is the main danger today?

  • Have understood the general risk reduction measures

  • Be able to perform a simple rescue

Programme


  • Start as indicated at the meeting point

  • Checking of equipment and introduction to the avalanche transceiver

  • Theoretical introduction, 3x3, bulletin reading 

  • Observation of the conditions on site

  • Choice of route and departure for a hike with orientation exercises, search and rescue in the terrain

  • End around 16.30 hrs

Gear list


  • Rucksack (possibly Airbag) min 25 litres, charged telephone

  • Warm and breathable hiking clothes to handle the physical effort in winter weather; at least : 

  •     1st technical layer, e.g. wool (avoid cotton), also for legs

  •     2nd warm layer such as a fleece jacket, plus a down jacket Gore-tex hiking trousers and jacket

  •     Sunglasses / mask, sun cream, hat, one pair of gloves + one spare

  • Complete equipment for snowshoeing, with mountain hiking boots (high)

  • Avalanche transceiver (3 antennas + marking function), probe, shovel

  • Paper - pencil 

  • Depending on the day's programme, small snack and hot drink (thermos). 

  • Min 1 litre, max 2 litres of water

  • Personal belongings and medication

Costs

Private groups

Choose your date

Public outings

As published on our site

Min 4, max 16 p.

SMT 1 certificate issued on request, supplement CHF 25.00

Contact us for transfers by 6-passenger VIP minibus.

Services included


  • Coffee prepared on site with Moka, or welcome tea at the meeting point

  • SMT 1 course and supervision by a mountain leader with federal diploma / SMT expert

  •  Safety equipment, snowshoes, sledges (if necessary) and poles according to available stock, contact us

Not included


  • Transport or lifts (if necessary)

  • Rental of equipment not in stock (sledges, avalanche transceivers, snowshoes etc.)

  • Picnic and drinks to take with you

What participants say about this experience

Thank you for the SMT1 avalanche course. It was super instructive, great company and full of theoretical and practical skills that I'll be able to use on my outings in the future.

Cesare

Thank you Boudewijn, it was really a great training day !

Thomas Lacroix

I had an extremely enriching day and I thank Boudewijn wholeheartedly for passing on (part of) his passion for the mountains. See you soon for the next part! Paola

Paola

I learned a lot during this day. Boudewijn, our instructor, is passionate and it shows. Moreover, the setting is perfect for learning. A course that I recommend to all winter sports enthusiasts who are concerned about the dangers of the mountains.

Mathieu

A wonderful day full of theoretical and practical information. A true realization! All this in an excellent atmosphere and a beautiful mountain philosophy ;-) I can only recommend this course. Thank you very much for this moment of sharing and enrichment.
Xavier

XavierP

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