Changes to Professional Level Avalanche Search and Rescue Training in Canada

Updated: March 20, 2024

The CAA Industry Training Program (ITP) is revamping its avalanche search and rescue (AvSAR) training to better prepare students for entry into the avalanche profession. This includes a new AvSAR Level 1 course that will be a prerequisite for Avalanche Operations Level 1, and an AvSAR Level 2 course that will be a prerequisite for Avalanche Operations Level 2. The recreational level Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1 or 2 courses, while highly recommended, will no longer be required as prerequisites for Avalanche Operations Level 1.

 
EXISTING STUDENTS PLEASE NOTE:

• Those who complete the Avalanche Operations Level 1 course BEFORE September 2024 will NOT be required to take the AvSAR Level 1 course.
• Those who complete the AvSAR Advanced Skills course BEFORE September 2024 will NOT be required to take the AvSAR Level 2 course.
  

What to Expect

A team of subject matter experts have developed the curriculum for AvSAR Level 1 and AvSAR Level 2. A review and revise period will take place summer 2024 following an instructor training and development session in the spring. 

Sample schedules, course outlines, DACUM, equipment list and evaluation criteria are now available on the course specific webpages.



 

Overview 

AvSAR Level 1: 4 days in person, mandatory online pre-course, written and practical assessment.  

AvSAR Level 2: 3 days in person, online pre-course recommended for those who have not completed AvSAR Level 1, practical assessment.  

Course fees, dates and locations will be available on the course calendar in June 2024. Please check back! 

 


Background


In June and July 2021, a working group of avalanche professionals, Avalanche Canada representatives and CAA staff came together to reach a consensus on an appropriate learning progression of avalanche search and rescue skills from the recreational to the professional level of training. The goal was to achieve a sequence of skills learned that would ensure that professional rescuers are adequately trained given their experience level and what is currently expected by employers.

 

The recommendation from this meeting was to restructure the curriculum into two courses, delivered at more appropriate stages of student development and relative experience. These changes are intended to allow students to acquire the AvSAR skills necessary for success in the CAA’s training program, in workplace practice, and, most importantly, during actual AvSAR callouts.

Changes to the AvSAR learning progression

Currently, courses are taken in the sequence shown below:



 

The new progression is as follows:                                                     .

Teaching Avalanche Courses

As a result of the changes to the ITP training progression, the CAA is actively recruiting ITP AvSAR Instructors. A complete job description can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions


If you have questions about the implementation process for the new courses, please visit our FAQ webpage.