Association of Professional Patrollers

Avalanche Rescue

The Avalanche Rescue category is intended to test the candidateʼs knowledge of an organized avalanche rescue, as well as their ability to perform in a practical rescue scenario potentially involving their control partner(s).

A fully certiﬁed patroller will have a working knowledge of all aspects of an avalanche rescue including the ability to organize a rescue at a ski area or in the back country. A certiﬁed result requires:

a score of 80% on the oral test,
a transceiver search to ﬁnd two transceivers buried one meter deep in an area of 100 meters x 100 meters in ﬁve minutes or less.

To receive an associate score the Patroller would have a 70 to 79% on the oral test and a search time of (7) seven minutes or less.

For additional details on testing and criteria, download the APP Avalanche Rescue Testing Criteria PDF document, and refer to the additional references to the right.

References

The Avalanche Handbook: McClung and Schaerer
Snow, Weather, and Avalanches: Observational Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States
American Avalanche Association
Your Local Ski Area Protocol
APP Study Guide
The APP also encourages candidates to also browse the internet for additional resources from avalanche vendors, such as Ortovox, Barryvox, Pieps, BCA, SOS and Arva, to name a few

Orica Explosives Guide

Orica is a proud sponsor of the Association of Professional Patrollers. The Orica guide is the first of its kind by an explosives manufacturer working with the ski industry to Recommend Safe Working Practices for Explosives Products used in Avalanche Control. The guide is available for download at the Orica Website.