Yes you learn SO much in the Avi training I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is going into the back country. I did my Avi 1 course with www.hangfiretraining.com
I would try giving Aaron a call to see if he has time to take you guys out, he knows all the great spots and is a hell of a...
Reeds would not keep it from running they would just cause a bad bog when trying to get going. I have had the misfortune of blowing a few on a nitrous sled.