Resource and Transportation

RTAM Course

Registration

On-line registration opens September 7, 2010 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.  Note that full payment will be taken at the time of registration.

This 5-day course is an introduction for supervisors and technicians from transportation, utility and resource sectors such as forestry, mining, and railways, who are involved with the management of winter operations and avalanche hazard programs.

Resource & Transportation Avalanche Management (RTAM) provides participants with a broad perspective and basic understanding of the avalanche phenomena, terrain identification and hazard forecasting. It also focusses on rescue training exercises so supervisors can return to their organizations as resource people who can organize and conduct rescue-training exercises for workers within their organization. After completion of this course managers and supervisors will have a base of knowledge so they can communicate appropriately with avalanche forecasters and employ a team approach with the forecaster on site as required.

The course is divided between classroom sessions each morning and evening with approximately 16 hours of field time.  Refer to Sample Schedule under "Related Links" for details.

Note that this course must be combined with a 4-day CAA Operations Level 1 field module in order to qualify for the CAA Operations Level 1 certification.

Program Goals

• state the formation & nature of avalanches and the hazards involved
• observe and record weather and snowpack data
• observe and record avalanche activity data
• state the important characteristics of snowpacks
• state the factors that are applied in snow stability evaluation
• recognize and describe avalanche terrain and identify safe areas
• apply safety measures
• conduct avalanche search and rescue

Prerequisites

• fully equipped and familiar with the required equipment (refer to Sample Equipment List

Recommended Courses

• Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1 or 2

Tuition

$1,100

Course Evaluation

Participants are evaluated by practical and written tests on weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations & techniques.  Knowledge of avalanche terrain and the formation of avalanches, the use of essential rescue equipment, and record keeping are also evaluated.  A minimum mark of 71% is required to pass.

Course Equipment & Materials

Refer to Sample Equipment List under "Related Links" for student equipment needs.  Following registration, the student manual will be mailed out.  Students are required to become familiar with the manual and its content prior to the start of the course.  In addition, there are a number of beneficial recommended pre-readings .