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
| Course |
Time |
Subject |
| Web based self study |
|
- Knowlegde about the artctic nature on Svalbard
- The history of Svalbard and knowlegde of the present society.
- Communication and basic guide skills.
- Governing and management of Svalbard |
| Written exam |
|
Pass / Fail |
| The longyearbyen community, incl the Governour on Svalbard. |
1 day |
- Get to know the Longyearbyen community.
- Information from the Goverour on Svalbard |
| Seminar; The Guide and the environment |
1 day |
- How to move around in the Svalbard nature in a safe and environmently friendly manner.
- Guide competence and communication skills.
-
The guide’s role as part of the adventure production
-
Increased awareness about climate changes and challenges related to the local culture. |
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
| Course |
Time |
Subject |
| Svalbard Safety Course |
1 day |
- Polar bear safety, incl rifle handling and use of different deterrents.
- How to handle accidents in the field and first aid. |
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
| Course |
Time |
Subject |
| Web based self study, summer field course |
|
- Navigation
- Movement on Glaciers
- Movement on Tundra |
Summer field course
|
2 days |
- Using small boats in arctic waters.
- Camp sites and camp routines.
- Planning the trip.
- Navigation.
- Practical nature- and cultural heritage dissemination.
- The role of the guide while travelling in the Svalbard nature in summer time. |
Module 4: Svalbard Winter Field Course 2012
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. Guide techniques, especially on snow scooter, will be addressed. Establishment of both winter camp in tent, in snow and emergency camp will be exercised.
| Date |
Time |
Subject |
Place |
Instructor |
| 08.02 |
16:00> |
Preperations for field trip |
Longyearbyen |
Sveinung |
| 09.02 |
08:30-14:00 |
By snowscooter to field location |
Lyb- field location |
Sveinung |
| 09.02 |
14:00-> |
Establish winter camp |
Field location |
Sveinung |
| 10.02 |
08:30-16:00 |
Glacier and avalance training |
Field location |
Sveinung |
| 10.02 |
16:00-> |
Establish snow bivuaq |
Field location |
Sveinung |
| 11.02 |
08:00-12:00 |
Transport by snow scooter to Isdammen (Lyb) |
|
Sveinung |
| 11.02 |
12:00-14:00 |
Rescue work on ice (Isdammen) |
Isdammen |
Sveinung |
| 11:02 |
14:00-18:00 |
Restoring equipment and evaluation |
UNIS |
Sveinung |
| |
|
|
|
|
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
| Course |
Time |
Subject |
| Web based self study and reading |
|
"Breboka" (handbook on travel on glaciers)
Glaciers in Svalbard |
| The glavier course |
|
- Basic knowlegde about glaciers
- Glacier equipment and knots
- Use of safety devices
- Walking techniques.
- Rope team routines
- Navigation on glaciers.
- Alpine hazards.
- Buddy rescue.
- Route choices and travel on Svalbard glaciers in general |
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
Climate and weather
Management of Svalbard
Avalanche
|
