Please read all course information thoroughly and early.
Your preparation is the most important factor in course outcomes!
Course Description
The Alpine Skills and Rescue session of the Diploma in Mountain Medicine is taught by WMS DiMM Faculty in conjunction with Alpenglow and Zenith Mountain Guides. The snow- and ice- covered slopes of the Tantalus Range near Squamish, BC will be our classroom. The course is designed specifically for doctors, nurses and paramedics pursuing the Diploma in Mountain Medicine. The unique challenges for mountain rescuers responding in glaciated and snow-covered terrain will be thoroughly covered during our intensive, field-based curriculum. This course emphasizes individual skills, team rescue and the role of medical personnel in mountain rescue: directing patient care, assisting in technical rescue, and leading the integration of both into one coordinated effort. The skills mastered during this course can easily be transferred to similar environments the world over. While we will review mountain travel techniques, candidates should have previous technical glacier travel experience.
Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
Day Activity
Day 1- Meet at Sea to Sky Hotel and Conference Center in Squamish, BC. Introductions, logistics, gear check.
Day 2- Rescue case study, anchors, patient packaging, litter systems, raising and lowering.
Day 3- 8am flight to Haberl hut with Blackcomb Helicopters. Hut introduction. Snow travel, crampon and ice axe use, self-arrest, glissade, alpine rope travel techniques.
Day 4- Snow anchors, crevasse rescue.
Day 5- Rope team travel in complex glaciated terrain, managing mountain hazards, patient access, stabilization and transportation.
Day 6- SAR scenario and mountain exploration.
Day 7- Additional time for skills, scenarios or mountain exploration. If all curriculum has been completed, we may have time for a climbing objective. Heli to town late-afternoon. Dinner and hotel in town. Course ends late evening, after dinner.
COVID
This course will follow the current WMS DiMM COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures. Protocols may be updated to adapt to the state of the pandemic at the time of the course or to meet updated local regulations. This may include changing logistics or even cancelling the course. Updates will be approved by the WMS Board and WMS DiMM Leadership Committee and passed on to participants as soon as practical. At this point our expectation is to be able to run this course as described in this document.
Current guidelines include:
o All participants agree to pay extra attention and effort to good hygiene and minimize possible exposure to communicable illness immediately prior to the course, including physical distancing and masking as much as practical during travel to the course.
o Participants should not arrive at the beginning of the course with any signs or symptoms of COVID or flu like illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, loss of taste/smell, eye drainage, congestion, vomiting or diarrhea), even with a negative COVID test. Any of the above signs/symptoms may require the individual to leave the program at their expense (cost of helicopter flight back to town, motel, subsequent care, and transportation home are participant’s responsibility).
o All participants agree to pay extra attention and effort to maintain good hygiene practices throughout the course. Good faith efforts to protect ourselves, our peers and our community from communicable illness are especially critical during this time.
o Participants will be in close proximity to one another and the instructors during the course. Physical distancing will not be possible within course. Physical contact during the course is inevitable and inherent to the experience.
o Communicable illnesses including COVID-19, other respiratory illness, gastrointestinal illness or other life-threatening illness may be contracted during the course due to the close proximity of learning space and living quarters.
o Folks traveling to Canada will need to follow the most current travel requirements. See: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. Also consider requirements for return travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html.
Insurance and Cancellation/Refund Policy
All participants are required to carry evacuation and medical insurance coverage (we suggest Global Rescue) as well as trip interruption/cancellation insurance (we suggest IMG through Global Rescue). Cancellation prior to 60 days before the session begins will result in a 50% refund. No refund if cancelling within 60 days.
Ground Transportation, Travel Logistics and Lodging
The course starts and ends in Squamish, BC, and participants need to arrange for all transportation to meet at the Sea to Sky Hotel and Conference Center. Please plan to arrive in Squamish by 5PM on Saturday, course start date. We will need vehicles to get around Squamish and we encourage carpooling. Unless you opt out, Teri will share your contact information with other participants so that you can arrange to carpool. Three nights lodging at the hotel in town and four nights at the hut are all included in your tuition. While at the hut we can leave cars in secured parking at the Blackcomb Helicopters base. Plan for the course to end late in the evening on Friday, the night before course end date. Your hotel room for the final night at the Sea to Sky Hotel and Conference Center is included and we encourage you to stay the final night. Rooms are double occupancy with two beds. Mixed gender occupancy may be required.
Haberl Hut
The Jim Haberl hut will be our backcountry basecamp. The hut is situated at 6,700’ at the Serratus-Dione Col in the Tantalus Range. Alpine training grounds are right outside the door, so we can maximize our efforts. We have the entire hut reserved for our group- it will be full with just our group. There are two bunk rooms with mattresses- you only need to bring a light sleeping bag, top sheet and small pillow. The hut has all cook and eating gear including cutlery, plates, mugs, etc. While there is no electricity at the hut, we will bring a small generator for recharging devices. There is cell phone coverage at the hut. There is an outhouse for human waste. All water at the hut will be made from melting snow, but there is no running water. We recommend that you bring some wipes (handi/face/baby) and hand sanitizer to help with hygiene. You can dry clothes in the hut so one set of field clothes and one set of hut clothes should be sufficient. A cook will fly in with our group and prepare all of our meals while we are at the hut. Look up pictures online to get an idea what the area looks like. We recommend that you preview information about the area and download maps in your favorite navigation app.
Helicopter
Blackcomb helicopters will provide us air transportation to and from the Haberl Hut. Flights, especially into alpine areas, always have the possibility of being delayed by weather. On either end of the course, it is possible that our logistics change due to weather impacts. If landing at the hut is not possible, one option may be to use another landing zone, requiring us to walk between the new LZ and the hut. We recommend that you pack all of your items into your one backpack so that if we need to walk to/from the hut we can- this does not need to include group gear or food. Your backpack, not including the gear you are wearing, probably should not weigh more than about 35 pounds. It is also worth considering changeable flights or scheduling flights later in the day on Saturday.
Food
Dinners will be provided in town on day 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday). You must provide your own food Sunday breakfast and lunch, and Monday breakfast. We will be in town and food is easily available, but we will not have much time for shopping. All meals Monday lunch through Friday dinner will be provided. Please list any dietary restrictions on the pre-course questionnaire.
Gear (Subject to Change)
The following is a list of items that will be required for participation during this training. Please spend time looking through your gear early. Some items may not be available in your local stores. Allow time to return items, especially if purchasing on the internet. All items will work best if the user has experience using them- for instance pack your pack and wear your clothes on a training hike in bad weather to see how your boots fit, if your pack needs adjusting, and how your clothing layering system works; make sure your sock system and crampons work with your boots.
Specific examples of the required gear are provided. These are only examples. Please compare things on this list with what you have or what you are buying. There are hundreds of options out there. You do not need to go buy all new gear for this training. Feel free to borrow or rent from a friend or local retailer anything that you do not already own- previous DiMM students may be a great resource. If it is time for an upgrade, then purchase gear that will last. We just want to make sure everyone has the gear that will function properly in the mountain environment we will be operating in.
Think lightweight, compact, functional and durable. Bring what you need, but a lot of extras only makes organization more complicated. A lightweight and versatile kit will expand our capabilities.
Some last minute items may be purchased at Valhalla Pure Outfitter in Squamish, although we strongly recommend that you have all your items before traveling to Squamish so that you can be sure you are equipped properly.
Start to gather your equipment early. Anyone not properly equipped may not be allowed to participate in course activities. Things we often see problems with are boots, packs, crampon fit, and acquiring the VT prusiks.
Alpine Travel/Rescue Gear
Backpack- 40-50 liters (2500 to 3000 cubic inches). No matter the size of your pack you should make efforts to keep your personal gear small and light and bring a couple lightweight cords or straps so you have the option to strap items on the outside. Osprey Mutant 38 or 52. Go to a shop, have them load it with weight, and walk around. Everybody’s back is different. Go for what fits you best. You will use this pack every day.
Mountain Axe- Straight shaft with adze, a minor shaft curve is ok as long as it will plunge. Petzl Summit.
Ice Axe Leash- Some folks prefer a waist attachment over a wrist leash. Black Diamond Slinger. You can also use a Purcell Prusik for this purpose.
Climbing Harness- Some people prefer to have a more padded for comfort during crevasse rescue practice. But we will spend more time wearing the harness under a pack, and will likely often have layers under the harness, so some folks prefer a lighter, low-profile harness. Your harness should have gear loops and a belay loop. Mammut Zephir Altitude.
Crampons- Make sure they are compatible with your boots and steel- no aluminum crampons. If you have old crampons with a rigid or vertically oriented frame, it is time to update. Anti-balling plates (often integrated into crampons) are highly recommended. Some method to carry your crampons on or in your pack is also recommended- a light case or point covers. Black Diamond Sabretooth.
Helmet- Must be designed for climbing and should work with your headlamp. Black Diamond Capitan or Vision. (If you get a lightweight foam helmet like the Vision, be careful with it as these are designed to break on impact and are especially susceptible to side impacts. During plane travel, I usually put mine in my carry-on, rather than check it in my luggage).
Snow Picket- MSR Cable Picket, 2 foot. If you bring one that does not have a cable permanently attached, you should also bring a sewn 120cm sling for your picket.
Ice Screw- Petzl Laser Speed, 17cm.
Belay Device- Tube style belay device. Black Diamond ATC-Guide.
Mini Pulley- Lightweight Prusik minding pulley. One is fine, some folks like two. Petzl Mini. Some people like the Petzl Micro Traxion which is fine as well.
Carabiners (6 non-lockers, 6 lockers)- Make sure to mark your carabiners with distinctive tape or nail polish to minimize gear confusion. Black Diamond Vapor Lock and LiteWire.
Nylon Accessory Cord (6mm x 7m)- Any climbing store will have this. Brand is no big deal, but supple cord is nice. This will need to be cut in three pieces to make a Purcell Prusik and two prusik loops. The exact lengths don’t matter- close is fine. Cut and tie your cords before the course. (See Pre-Course Skills Preparation section below).
The correct lengths for your three pieces of 6mm cord:
• Purcell Prusik: ~4 meters
• 2 Short loops: ~1.3 meters each
VT Prusiks (optional, but recommended)- 1 or 2 BlueWater Ropes VT Prusiks. You will likely not find this in local stores. Buy it on-line from the manufacturer. Both the 7mm and 8mm options will work fine. This Technora open-end prusik is only made by BlueWater.
Anchor Building Material- Some people like a cordelette (15-21’ of 7mm nylon cord; cheaper and more versatile) while others prefer a skinny sewn sling (180 or 240 cm x 8-12mm; Mammut Dyneema Contact 240; lighter and stronger). Take your pick and we will discuss the differences.
Webbing for Pack Tether- A 120cm sewn sling (or 7’ of 1” tubular webbing). Mammut Dyneema.
Radio. An FRS/GMRS radio (aka family band or blister pack radio) is the easiest and cheapest solution- make sure your radio has sub-channel (often called “privacy code”) functionality. Know how to change channels, sub-channels, adjust volume, etc. An FRS/GMRS radio does not need programming, you only need to know how to use it. The nicest versions of these are the Rocky Talkie, with the Backcountry Access Link 2.0 coming in a close second. Another option is if you have a programmable VHF/UHF such as the Baofeng UV-5R or UV-82HP that could work too. We can help program these two specific radios, otherwise contact us for a frequency list and make sure you program your radio before the course starts. Make sure your radio is fully charged prior to arrival. We will have charging capability at the hut, or bring spare batteries.
Radio chest harness (optional)- One that can be comfortably worn under a pack, isn't too hot or bulky and works with your radio. Not used for climbing, but can be useful for rescue work. Coaxsher RP-1 Scout, Conterra Adjusta Pro II.
Hut Gear
Sleeping Bag (~0°C+)- Light bag rated to ~0° C. There is heat in the hut so you do not need a warm sleeping bag. Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30° F Down Bag.
Top sheet- A sleeping bag liner or travel sheet will help cover the mattress or for sleeping if it is warm.
Pillow (optional)- There are no pillows at the hut.
Headlamp- Lightweight with fresh batteries. We’ll carry these in the field also. Petzl Actik.
Hut clothes- One set of comfortable clothes for wearing in the hut.
Approach shoes or sneakers- Footwear for in and around the hut could be the same as what you use on our training day in town and/or for travel.
Wipes- Some hand/face/baby wipes help with hygiene.
Water Disinfection- Since we will melt snow for water, we probably will not treat all the water. If you would like to disinfect water, bring something to do that. See: https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30116-4/fulltext
Water Bottles- Wide-mouth. Most people find that 2-2.5 liter capacity is the about right. Insulated bottles like Hydroflasks keep water warmer but are heavy and bulky. Some folks like a couple small bottles, would rather have bigger bottles. It’s all personal preference. Put stickers on for easy id. It will likely be warm enough that CamelBaks/bladder systems can work, and although these are great for hydration, they are also more prone to problems so be sure you are confident in your system.
Clothing
TOWN TRAINING DAY:
Chances are good that on our town training day (Sunday), it will be warm. If it’s cold and raining you can use layers that you have for up on the glacier. You probably will want a set of lightweight outdoor clothes for this low elevation training day.
FEET:
Climbing Boots- Boots have come a long way. If your boots are old, consider a new pair. Doing rescue work in the alpine requires warmer boots than for typical summer climbing. We recommend warm single boots. These could have a built-in gaiter such as the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Top GTX. Single boots without a built-in super gaiter (such as the Boreal Arwa or La Sportiva Trango Extreme GTX) might be fine too, especially if you tend to not get cold feet. Double boots (with a removable boot liner such as the La Sportiva G2) are probably heavier/warmer than you would ideally like. A slightly stiffer- rather than softer- sole is preferred when spending time in crampons and kicking steps. Make sure you try them on and get them fit right. Make sure they are compatible with your boots. Spend enough time in your boots to know that you will not get blisters- go for hikes well before the course starts. (Note: you may have seen a pre-course video Alpine PPE that says that double boots are required- as we have moved course location and dates, other options are now preferred).
Gaiters (optional)- Some boots have built-in gaiters. Otherwise, something to keep the snow out may be useful. Some people have success with a simple elastic cuff on their pants.
Wool or Synthetic Socks- 6 pairs of comfortable, warm merino wool or synthetic socks. Fit your boots with your socks. Good socks can minimize blisters. Fresh socks each day is great.
Liner Socks (optional)- Some people like these, while others find them an unnecessary annoyance.
Hiking/approach shoes- You need a pair of shoes for our training day in town, ideally approach shoes, but any hikers will do. These could be the same as your hut and/or travel shoes. La Sportiva TX 2 or 4.
BODY LAYERS:
There are many layering systems to achieve sufficient warmth, breathability and versatility. We recommend wearing a lightweight sun hoody and soft shell pants and jacket (or wind jacket) as everyday wear. In addition, rain jacket and pants are critical for stormy weather. Further insulation should be achieved with warm puffy layers (top) and an extra long underwear top and bottom depending on the day. A couple extra layers to adjust for the day is fine, but you should think of this as basically only having one set of field clothes. Weather can vary significantly in any alpine area, but it’s likely to have a lot of sun and some windy/cold, a little warm, with the possibility of stormy, wet or snowy.
Rain Jacket w/hood- Breathable and waterproof. Outdoor Research Foray or Arc’teryx Zeta SL.
Rain Pants- Breathable and waterproof. Zippers that allow you to pull shell pants on over/around boots are very helpful. Outdoor Research Foray or Arc’teryx Zeta SL.
Soft Shell Jacket or Wind Jacket (optional)- Many folks swear by a wind or soft shell layer, others just use a rain jacket as an all-purpose shell. Black Diamond Alpine Start.
Soft Shell Pants- Arc’teryx Gamma AR.
Base layers- Lightweight synthetic or wool long underwear top and bottom. We also recommend a lightweight short sleeve top and a pair of shorts. A sun hoody could be very useful in the right conditions.
Mid Layers- 1-2 mid layering options. Lightweight puff, fleece, etc. You might travel wearing this. Patagonia Nano Puff.
Puffy Jacket- Should fit comfortably on top of all other layers (except rain shell). Whenever you are cold and not moving, you reach for this jacket. Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoody.
HANDS:
A good hand layering system should be flexible enough to achieve the following 3 goals:
1. Lightweight coverage for warm, sunny days with maximum dexterity
2. Warm gloves for doing things in cold, windy and/or wet conditions
3. Ultimate warmth when dexterity is a low priority
As drying gloves can be difficult, extra gloves can be a huge help.
Soft Shell Gloves- Two pairs. Black Diamond Terminator.
Work and Warm Gloves- Two pairs. Truck Gloves M1 and Arc’teryx Fission SV.
HEAD:
Warm Hat- Wool or synthetic ski hat. Any will do. It’s called a toque in Canada.
Neck Warmer- Provides warmth and sun coverage. Buff.
Baseball Cap or other Sun Hat- Any baseball style cap that fits under your helmet comfortably
Glacier Glasses- Some folks like photochromic lens that adjust to light. They do not need to be marketed as glacier glasses, but there should be good side coverage and they must provide ultimate protection for bright, high-UV conditions. Julbo Montebianco.
Personal Gear
Lighters (optional)- 1 small disposable.
Toiletries- Nothing but the basics!
Sunscreen- At least SPF 50. A few small tubes are easier to keep accessible.
Lip-lube with SPF- SPF 30+
Journal/pencil
Ear Plugs- Can make for a better night sleep when it’s noisy in the hut.
Phone charging cable- Phones will be useful for navigation and such.
Personal Repair Kit Items (optional)- Keep it light and simple!
Leatherman/Gerber Tool (optional)- Lightweight, such as the Leatherman Juice.
Small Personal First-Aid Kit/ Medications - Each participant should bring a small kit with blister care and any regular personal medications, plus OTC analgesics (ibuprofen 30 x 200 mg and acetaminophen 20 x 500 mg). Consider altitude medication (acetazolamide, dexamethasone and nifedipine) based on risk profile and medical history. Instructors will carry a first aid kit with BSI/PPE, trauma, bleeding control, wound care/bandaging, minor splinting supplies, OTC analgesics and antihistamines, and injectable epinephrine, but no other prescription medications.
Hand Sanitizer- A couple small bottles.
Masks- Don’t leave home without it.
Hand warmers and Toe Warmers (optional)- 3 sets of each.
Trash Compactor Bags (optional)- Compactor bags are made from a heavier plastic than “normal” trash bags. These can be useful to protect equipment from moisture while in your pack. Most folks find that lining the inside of the pack is more effective than a pack cover. White is nice.
Stuff Sacks- A few of various sizes. You might use a couple bigger ones to organize things at the hut and a couple small, lightweight ones for organizing gear in your pack. Exped or Hyperlite.
Wag bag- Carry one bag for human waste (with toilet paper) so that we don’t leave any human waste in the mountains.
Bandana (optional, for women)- Some women often like to have a bandana to use as a “pee rag.”
Pee Funnel (optional, for women)- Some women like to have this so you don’t need to pull pants down to pee (there is often minimal privacy on a glacier). Try to use it standing up, with your harness on. Really. For more info see: https://www.backpacker.com/gear-reviews/the-complete-guide-to-female-urination-devices/
Travel Stuff
Travel Clothes- Clean clothes to wear in town and when travelling.
Large Duffel Bag- For airplane travel. The North Face Base Camp Duffel Large.
Toiletries, book, etc. (optional)- Keep anything coming to the hut minimal.
Group Gear Provided:
Team rescue equipment
First aid kit
Glacier travel ropes
Shovels
Avalanche probes
Ice screws
Fitness
Alpine mountain climbing and rescue demand endurance, and the importance of good conditioning cannot be overstated. Physical conditioning is the single most important way you can help to ensure a safe and successful training. It is imperative that you undertake a rigorous conditioning program and arrive in top physical shape.
Those unable to participate due to physical fitness limitations will be left in town or at the hut during daily training exercises. You will be responsible for your own travel and accommodations if unable to participate. Inadequate fitness, as per instructors’ discretion, may preclude you from successful completion of the course.
Each of our training days will be long and strenuous. Every day will range from 10 to 12 hours in length, hikes of up to 5 miles, pack weights up to 50 pounds, ascents of up to 4000 feet and carrying and hauling patients in litters. You should be prepared physically and mentally for long days in the mountains.
Below are some suggestions to get you ready for the physical challenges of this course:
• Start training immediately. The more time you have to get in shape, the better.
• Cardiovascular training (such as running and cycling) and strength and endurance training (such as weight training, core exercises and stair climbing) should both be included in your program.
• Start cardiovascular training by running, biking, hill climbing, or using step machines. Try exercising for an hour or more per session, and keep your heart rate and respirations at a reasonably high level, without over doing it. We recommend a training plan that includes three 60-120 minute training sessions and one 8-10 hour hike with several thousand feet of elevation gain per week. There is no better training for mountain rescue than hiking up and down mountains with a pack in your boots. Begin your training program with a 20-25 pound pack and work up gradually to the length and weight expected (50 pounds) on the course. If there are no hills nearby, stairs work fine for training, especially if you can find a taller multiple storied buildings or stadium steps.
• Begin your strength training by working on muscle groups used in mountaineering. Specifically, you want to target your quadriceps, calves, hamstrings, back, core, hips and shoulder muscles.
• When working out in a gym, use stair stepping machines and treadmills- sometimes with a weighted pack and boots. Tilt treadmills up to the full 15 degrees for more benefit. Rowing machines are also excellent for training. Gym training goals: Stair stepper averaging 75 steps per minute for 30 minutes; row 6,000 meters in 30 minutes. It may take a while to build up to those goals. Do both of those exercises in a day, two to three days a week, for 12 weeks leading up to the course. You’ll feel great!
• Some people choose to work with a personal trainer or use online training guidance. Whatever motivates you, works for your body and schedule and helps you maintain consistency is great.
• Bottom line: Plan on being in excellent physical condition.
This sounds like a lot of work, and it is. With our daily schedules busy with family, work, and other important commitments, it can be difficult to set aside time for training. But being physically prepared for this DiMM section is the single most important thing you can do to increase your chances of getting the most out of your time.
Pre-Course Skills Preparation
We will move quickly through the basic curriculum, expecting that participants are prepared with some basic skills before the course starts. The WMS DiMM progression normally has folks take the Rock Rescue Session before the Alpine Session, so reviewing basics from the Rock Course should set you up well. Review the skills videos on your DiMM page (available at http://wms.org/education/dimm.asp), and on the Remote Rescue Training YouTube page (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsk31OYIwUUOFUGzEJxRCZ_a-mopg-vXg) to recall the basics.
Practice individual skills from the Rock Skills and Rescue session and be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency with the skills in the videos when we meet in Squamish. We will refine the details and application of these skills into the alpine environment during the course, but we expect that you come ready to demonstrate your proficiency.
You will be expected to be able to perform these skills efficiently and consistently at the start of the course. The course progression is designed with base proficiency of these skills prior to the course starting. If you are not competent at these skills it will be difficult to keep up with the pace of the course.
Other technical topics that we will cover, but would be helpful to review (or pre-view) include: multi-point anchoring systems (cordelette style and Frost knot), snow protection (pickets), lowering using ATC’s in series, rescue belay techniques (tandem Prusik belay), and rope team rigging for glacier travel. We recommend Glacier Mountaineering: An Illustrated Guide to Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue and The Mountain Guide Manual.
Pre-Course Reading
Refer to the participant area on your DiMM page (available at http://wms.org/education/dimm.asp) to see which chapters are required reading from the Mountain Medicine and Technical Rescue book. We also recommend that you review the MMTR chapters and handbook from the rock session as well as any other required materials from previous sessions that you don’t remember well (consider in particular the WMS Guidelines on Spine Immobilization, Acute Pain, Altitude Illness, Frostbite and Hypothermia, as well as MMTR chapters 2, 5, 6, 10 and 12). This is the last DiMM session for most participants and you should be working to apply your knowledge and clinical decision making throughout this course. Also, the test assumes a solid understanding of this background information.
Waivers
Each participant will be required to sign multiple waivers. The WMS is contracting with both Alpenglow Expeditions and Zenith Mountain Guides to provide this DiMM course. And we will be flying with Blackcomb Helicopters. Each of these organizations will have a separate Liability Waiver or Acknowledgment of Risk form that you will need to review and sign for participation in the course. Teri will send you the WMS waiver. You can preview and sign the Zenith waiver here: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5e384a07a89ed/web/.
Weapons
Firearms and other weapons are not allowed on any WMS DiMM course. Please leave weapons at home.
Participant: Instructor Ratio
Maximum enrollment 12. This course will be staffed with 2 Instructors and 1 Mountain Guide.
Instructional Staff
All WMS DiMM instructors have a strong background in mountain guiding, technical rescue and wilderness medicine. Currently scheduled (subject to change) to lead the Alpine Skills and Rescue Session are:
Andy Rich- is the Chair of the WMS DiMM Leadership Committee and Program Coordinator for Remote Rescue Training at the University of Utah. Andy worked for NOLS, guided technical climbing and backcountry skiing all over North America and worked as an Alpine Rescue Specialist in the private sector in remote industrial settings for 15 years before coming to the WMS. Andy is an AMGA Rock Guide and Assistant Alpine and Ski Mountaineering Guide.
Andy Anderson- worked for 15 years as a Rescue Ranger in Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain and Rainier National Parks. Andy is the Technical Search and Rescue Advisor for Tahoe Wilderness Medicine and works as an Avalanche Forecaster at the Sierra Avalanche Center. Andy is also an accomplished long-distance and speed mountain runner.
Evan Stevens- is an UIAGM/ACMG/AMGA certified Mountain Guide. He completed his IFMGA training in 2007 following a few years as an avalanche forecaster in Utah. Evan now trains and certified guides through both the American and Canadian Mountain Guides Associations. Evan is the owner/operator of Zenith Mountain Guides and is based out of Squamish, BC.
Evaluation
Participants will be evaluated by field instructors in six categories:
1. Demonstrates safe personal and group practices,
2. Applies medical skills to the technical arena appropriately,
3. Maintains appropriate rescue pace,
4. Technical knowledge and application of rescue systems,
5. Error correction, and
6. Leadership, teamwork and communication.
Participants will then receive a score of:
GREEN: PASS WITHOUT CONCERN;
YELLOW: BORDERLINE; or
RED: PRELIMINARY FAIL.
YELLOW or RED scores will be reviewed by the DiMM Remediation Board.
Candidates are also required to take a 2-hour online exam within 60 days after course completion. The minimum passing score for the online exam is 80%. No more than two attempts will be permitted to pass the online exam. The exam will cover information from the course, the required readings from the Mountain Medicine and Technical Rescue book and WMS Practice Guidelines, and any other materials provided during the course.
Inability to participate in all skills training for any reason (e.g. inadequate fitness, lack of appropriate gear/food, sickness, etc.), inability to meet course expectations (e.g. inadequate preparation, failure to demonstrate basic skill competence, etc.) or poor performance on the online exam may result in removal from the course and/or course failure. The WMS DiMM Leadership Committee Remediation Board will consider any incomplete, borderline or failure cases, possibly resulting in removal from the program or retaking the course at a later date.
Documents detailing Essential Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation Policy are available on WMS.org, DiMM page, under the Participants and Enrollment & Costs tabs.
Complete the Pre-Course Questionnaire by June 10.
Questions
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you have.
Contact WMS with questions regarding logistics, ground transportation, payment, course content, equipment, food, fitness training, etc.
If you prefer to download this information as a pdf, click the file below.