Mission
The Svalbard Guide Training Course is an introduction to the guide profession in Svalbard.
The training will comply with the different demands set by the Svalbard nature, the local tourism industry and the official regulations, regarding the guide’s level of knowledge about Svalbard and field safety qualifications.

Module 1: Basic Svalbard Guide
Objective
By undertaking a web-based self study, and a two day basics course in Longyearbyen, the participants should have acquired knowledge about Svalbard’s nature, cultural heritage, history and local official regulations. The participants should also have gained an awareness and understanding about the different aspects of the guide role.

Content

Module 2: Svalbard Safety Course

Objective

The participants will learn how to master the special demands set by the Svalbard nature when it comes to polar bear protection, first aid and accident management.

Prerequisite

A two-day basic first aid course, completed within the last two years.

Content

Module 3: Svalbard Summer Field Course

Objective

The participants should develop qualifications in guiding and in organizing a group of tourists during different kinds of activities in the Svalbard nature. There will be a strong emphasis on safety and accident prevention during both a planning phase, which will include  risk assessment, and the execution phase where focus on routines and safe travelling routes will be continously discussed. The module will include how to improvise a rescue operation and how to manage an accident scene. The course will focus in general on the different risk scenarios that could be encountered during travel in the Svalbard nature during summer.

Content

Module 4: Svalbard Winter Field Course 2010

Objective

The participants should develop qualifications in guiding and in organizing a group of tourists during different kinds of activities in the Svalbard nature. There will be a strong emphasis on safety and accident prevention during both a planning phase, which will include  risk assessment, and the execution phase where focus on routines and safe travelling routes will be continuously discussed. The module will include how to improvise a rescue operation and how to manage an accident scene. The course will focus in general on the different risk scenarios that could be encountered during travel in the Svalbard nature during winter conditions with both snow scooter and on skies. Guide techniques, both on snow scooter and when skiing will be addressed. Establishment of both winter camp in tent, in snow and emergency camp will be exercised.

Module 5: Supplementary module; Svalbard Glacier Guide

Objective

After the course, the participants should be able to guide guests in a safe manner on glaciers in Svalbard in summer time. During the course the participants will obtain thorough knowledge of glaciers in Svalbard by practical exercises and by experience. To fulfil the course the participants will have to demonstrate that they master both safe travel on glaciers and rescue techniques used on glaciers.

Content

The web based self study

Below you will find links to relevant web pages with key info on Svalbard issues. Each link is regarded as required reading, if not spesified otherwise. The written exam in the Guide Training Course will be based on central elements from these web pages and articles / presentations. Teaching and practical training during the course will also build on the same content. To be able to start practical training at a certain level it is important that all participants has required knowlegde in advance.

General info

These web sites contain general info on importent Svalbard issues. The links below are mainly pointing to spesific chapters at these web sites. The whole content of these sites are not regarded as required reading.

Vegiation

The link to "The flora of Svalbard" is not required reading.

Geology

Glaciers

Management of Svalbard