Mount Hotham, Australia
Avalanche Rescue Medicine Course
The Course
The Avalanche Rescue Medicine Course is designed to safely immerse participants in winter and backcountry environment where the risk of avalanche is increased . We combine the technical avalanche rescue skills required to locate and extract a person with the likely medical interventions required to protect life.
The course aims to introduce participants to the challenges of avalanche rescue while also certifying each participant with the Avalanche Canada’s AST 1 certificate. During the course we will introduce strategies to manage conditions and injuries that can occur following avalanches. These lessons will be delivered through lectures, case studies, and hands-on safety skill sessions.
The expedition will be facilitated by experienced adventurers and clinicians with a passion for winter and backcountry environments and combines 15-20 hours of CPD. The expedition is limited to 16 participants.
Pre-requisites: Skiing/snowboarding skills – strong intermediate level or above and moderate fitness. (if unsure, contact us to discuss)
Gear: Participants will require either a ski, splitboard or snow shoe setup to traverse the backcountry terrain.
Location
Mount Hotham is Australia’s highest alpine village that is located 4 hours from Melbourne. Its famous for clean and crisp mountain air and some of Australia's best vistas; from breathtaking misty sunrises to unforgettable 360-degree views of the surrounding rugged mountain ranges.
Dates and Duration
28th July- 1st August 2025
Who can attend
The course is open to anyone. This course may be claimable for paramedics, medics, doctors, allied health professionals, and nurses as CPD.
Pre-requisites required: Skiing/snowboarding skills – strong intermediate level or above and moderate fitness. (if unsure, contact us to discuss)
Topics
- Snowshoeing / Snow camping skills
- Expedition medicine planning
- Avalanche formation and release theory
- Identifying avalanche terrain
- Optimal use of tools and resources
- Avalanche forecasting
- Appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain
- Companion rescue using beacon, shovel, probe
- Non-Freezing injury & Hypothermia management
- Low resource major trauma management
- Spinal / Pelvic / Thoracic trauma management
- Fractures and Dislocations
- Prolonged field care & Evacuation techniques
- Water purification
- Improvised shelters
- Hypoxia / deprivation of oxygen
Inclusions
- Lunch
- Safety ropes
- Avalanche Rescue / Medical instructors
- All course material
- Course shirt and vest
- All permits
- AST 1 Avalanche Certificate
- Back-Country Winter WFA Cert
- Avalanche Rescue Medicine Cert
Exclusions
- Flights and Travel
- Accomodation
- Personal winter clothing and equipment
- Pack, avalanche transceiver, Shovel, Probe
Investment
$ 4995
A deposit of $950 is required to secure your place.
Certifications
AST 1 Avalanche Certificate
Back-Country Winter WFA Certificate
Avalanche Rescue Medicine Certificate
Academy Transcript
Bookings and confirmation
Following your initial deposit your position will be confirmed and you will receive a Welcome & Information Pack. Balances are not due until 10 weeks prior to the course start date.
A full refund will be provided if this course is cancelled by Explora Medicine. Balances are refundable up to 8 weeks prior to the course start date minus the initial deposit. Please note that we are not responsible for bookings made in addition to this program and therefore please ensure to check the cancellation terms on your other travel arrangements (eg. flights and extra accommodation) when making your bookings.
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Avalanche Rescue Medicine Information Pack
This Course has been approved for Fellow Credit Hours of CPD in the Academy of Extreme Environment Medicine (FAEEM).
Contact hello@exploramedicine.com.au
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