AS-101
Arctic Survival and Safety Course (3 ECTS)

Required previous knowledge/specific course requirements:
Enrolment as a UNIS spring semester student.

Learning outcome:
Basic knowledge of potential risk scenarios and achieve skills in planning and accomplishing field work and private trips under arctic conditions.

Academic content:
The course assumes that students have no prior experience of life in the High Arctic. The first segment therefore focuses on clothing and general conduct, as well as providing an insight into the sort of conditions and risks you can expect to meet on Svalbard.

A thorough theoretical grounding and hands-on practice are provided to students in a range of vital survival skills: Use of rifles and pyrotechnic flares to scare away polar bears; first-aid, looking especially at treatment and prevention of frost injuries; navigation on Svalbard by map reading and compass, assisted by GPS; use of communications systems including VHF radio, satellite phone and direction beacons; emergency kit including tent, windbag and primus stove; sea ice behavior and rescue techniques. The last day of the course include a practical exercise detailing the factors that must be considered when planning field trips in the Arctic.

Teaching methods and activities:
The course extends over 6 days.

Total lecture hours: Ca. 20 hours.
Total exercise hours: Ca. 40 hours.

Compulsory assignment:
100% presence in lectures and exercises.

Assessment:

All assessments must be fulfilled in order to receive a final grade.

Application deadline: This course cannot be applied for separately.
The course is only offered to enrolled spring semester students at UNIS and is mandatory for these students.