Companion rescue in winter

Mountaineering Scotland offers members the opportunity to join us on this course to learn how to rescue someone from an avalanche using transceivers, shovels and probes. This course is suitable for winter hillwalkers, mountaineers, climbers, and ski tourers who have this equipment and would like to learn how to use it quickly and efficiently, or to refresh existing knowledge.

All course participants MUST have completed a winter skills training course either with Mountaineering Scotland or another provider and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons prior to attending this course. Under exceptional circumstances we will accept people who have not attended a formal winter skills training course but who have considerable personal experience.  Please contact us if you think this applies to you.

Your course will start with a session indoors, ensuring that everyone has the appropriate kit, planning the day taking into consideration the weather and avalanche forecasts, and covering the theory of companion rescue.

The course will then move outside to cover the different aspects of companion rescue including:

• Four stages of a transceiver search
• Probing
• Strategic digging
• Intro to avalanche avoidance and planning

 We will aim to cover as much of the above as possible, depending on the snow and weather conditions. 

The staffing ratio is 1:6. All our courses are staffed with highly experienced mountaineering instructors who hold either their Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor award or Winter Mountain Leader award.

If you have any questions regarding the content of our courses, or you're not sure if it's right for you, please contact info@mountaineering.scot

It is VITAL that you come prepared for a full day in the winter mountains to ensure that you get the most out of the course - download the kit list below.

• What's provided: Mountaineering Scotland will provide you with an appropriate map, map case, compass and helmet where needed.
• What you need to bring: You will need to be equipped for a full day in the hills in winter conditions with adequate warm and waterproof outdoor clothing, winter boots, ice axe, crampons, transceiver, shovel, probe, as well as plenty of food and drink (ideally some warm drink) - see the full kit list below. 
• Bring your own transceiver: Currently we are unable to provide transceivers to members on the course, so please bring your own and familiarise yourself with using it and it’s specific functions.  

Aviemore:

• Tiso Aviemore Outdoor Experience, Aviemore PH22 1RH  - email cs_aviemore_oe@tiso.co.uk
• Cairngorm Mountain Supplies, Aviemore. Tel 01479 810903 / cairngorm@braemarmountainsports.com

Pre-booking is essential. Please take a look at our course information and booking and cancellation conditions - by making a booking you are agreeing to these terms. 

If you have any questions about bookings please get in touch.