Avalanche Training

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

What do you have...in the event that your best buddy is caught in an avy.
No formal training
Classroom only
AST 1
AST 2

Lets find out what the members have?

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Not as much Avy training as I thought there might be....

 

[Luke The Drifter]

I have AST1 but I want to take it again to freshen up my skills and knowledge.

 

[white6]

embarassed to say that i have not attended formal training. something i intend to rectify with this coming season!

 

[jbb]

both yamaha and doo dealers offer a basic avi course every year. wtf is stopping you from getting some basic training? its free........ here look it up for your area.

 

[Depsnolvr]

Professional Level 1, and 1/3 of way through Level 2.....fingers crossed !

Good post

 

[linzoid]

booked for Dec 11, finally!

 

[white6]

both yamaha and doo dealers offer a basic avi course every year. wtf is stopping you from getting some basic training? its free........ here look it up for your area.

This may be so, but not in my town they don't. Closest would be probably 5hrs from here. Zacs has been up here once or twice to my knowledge but I missed them. I've done an online course/overview but that's it to date. Not making excuses, just saying.

 

[TylerG]

This may be so, but not in my town they don't. Closest would be probably 5hrs from here. Zacs has been up here once or twice to my knowledge but I missed them. I've done an online course/overview but that's it to date. Not making excuses, just saying.

you've always got places to stay should you decide to come to Edmonton and do the course White.

I've got my AST1 right now, however I do want to expand upon that in the coming years.

 

[~Rowdy~]

I have AST1 would like to get AST2 as well. Will re-certify every 3 years to keep me up to date and the knowledge fresh in my mind.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

This may be so, but not in my town they don't. Closest would be probably 5hrs from here. Zacs has been up here once or twice to my knowledge but I missed them. I've done an online course/overview but that's it to date. Not making excuses, just saying.

We traveled 5 hours to McBride to take the AST 1 classroom and field training. Gave up a weekend of sledding to be better prepared.
Hopefully your able to get the course soon....good luck.

 

[snoqueen]

This is an awesome poll. It just goes to show you that there needs to be much more education out there! It is scary actually to know how many sledders don't have the proper training.....

You can do all the on-line courses, read books, etc, etc.....but it will never come close to what the AST 1 course can teach you. It will open your eyes, and you will never look at things the same again. Many peeps after taking this course will change where they ride, and many will change who they ride with!

The classroom portion of the course can be a little boring at times, as some of this material can be repetitive, but the field training is where it all comes together. You will learn all about the snowpack, and practice your beacon searches in real-life rescue scenarios.

There is no excuse for not taking this course. There is lots of options now in the providers offering this course, and they are trying their hardest to make it accessible for all. My family had to drive 3 hrs to take the field training, it was also cost X3 for us and yes, we missed a weekend of sledding but I wouldn't be out there in the backcountry without it. We are planning on doing a refresher soon just to keep our skills honed and fresh in our minds.

 

[white6]

I certainly look to do it this season, and really want to do the classroom and field portions together, which is min 9hrs away from home for me. Missing a weekend of sledding is worth it to be safe to sled the rest of my life. I've just made the mistake of trying to wait for others to come with me to make the haul more feasible, and the trip safer for myself. Here's my promise itll be done this yr!

 

[TylerG]

This is an awesome poll. It just goes to show you that there needs to be much more education out there! It is scary actually to know how many sledders don't have the proper training.....

You can do all the on-line courses, read books, etc, etc.....but it will never come close to what the AST 1 course can teach you. It will open your eyes, and you will never look at things the same again. Many peeps after taking this course will change where they ride, and many will change who they ride with!

The classroom portion of the course can be a little boring at times, as some of this material can be repetitive, but the field training is where it all comes together. You will learn all about the snowpack, and practice your beacon searches in real-life rescue scenarios.

There is no excuse for not taking this course. There is lots of options now in the providers offering this course, and they are trying their hardest to make it accessible for all. My family had to drive 3 hrs to take the field training, it was also cost X3 for us and yes, we missed a weekend of sledding but I wouldn't be out there in the backcountry without it. We are planning on doing a refresher soon just to keep our skills honed and fresh in our minds.

I took the course at the same time as Sledbunnyracing & his son, Summitric & both his kids and PowderGirl, as well as several other Snowandmud.com Members. When we were up there, a gentlemen was actually involved in a slide and several of Zacs Tracs team went to assist with the rescue. Luckily this person was okay, but it sure opened my eyes, when we are working in a "Safe" zone learning our rescue techniques and a mere minutes away in a valley someone gets trapped. I learned a tonne of info that day and fully recommend everyone take at LEAST the AST1

 

[gartho]

ast level 1 classroom and field a few years ago reg again for the dec 11 class taken a few refreshers in between. The courses from zacs are great,changed our groups riding habits!!!!!!!!!!

 

[-lenny-]

Long overdue, but I am booked in to AST1 Dec 3&4 in Revy! About a 8-9 hour drive, depending. Really looking forward to it. If anyone else is considering it, Trigger-Point still has a couple spots left! Get er done so you can apply that knowledge all season long.

 

[Kavaleen]

It's great to see people talking about this. Please check with others to see where they went and how they liked it. Also PLEASE remember that the free courses that are available are seminars and as they are a great start you really need to take the AST1 in order to receive the rest of the information that you need in order to be safer.

 

[John Boy]

I took my AST Level 1 last year and took it again this year as well as put my wife through it as well ( didnt want to do it by her self ). She only comes out twice a year but I know that she could find me if something went wrong. Will have her do the field sestion this winter on her first trip. We will refresh every 2 years.

I think that this is something that any one that rides in the MTNs. It sure opened my wifes eyes.

 

[Thunderguy BOOSTED]

I took my AST Level 1 with my dad two seasons ago! But im going to take a AST 2 soon here!

 

[amber]

Good Discussion.... definately less response than I thought.... What do folks think of the training they are getting??
I do the Yamy Dealer Avy Seminars and have done short free talks for the last 7 years with Zacs.... THESE are NOT COURSES! They are only an orientation on how to find the info that is out there and maybe a BRIEF discussion on what it means...
THE BASIC COURSE is an AST 1... and if you look at the big picutre .... an AST 1 is just a start! There is a NEW COURSE this year called COMPANION RESCUE. It is for AST 1 graduates.... a good thing to look at taking every year!!
Check out www.trigger-point.ca
THANKS GUYS!
Amber