AS-102 Arctic Survival and Safety summer/autumn (2 ECTS)
ID:
AS-102
CREDITS:
2 ECTS
COURSE PERIOD:
Autumn semester (August), annually
| Grade: | Pass/not passed |
| Course cost: | None |
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Course materials: | Students will receive material during the course |
| Credit reduction/overlap | None |
Course requirements:
Mandatory for students following full semester bachelor courses in autumn term, in addition to master and PhD students attending courses in block 5.
Course coordinator:
Course responsible
Academic content:
The course is intended for students with little or no prior experience of life in the high Arctic. The course therefore focuses on conditions and risks you can expect to meet in Svalbard.
The course provides a thorough theoretical basis within several topics. It includes hands-on practice in a range of vital safety- and survival skills. The following topics are covered:
- Risk scenarios in Svalbard – general safety precautions
- Use of rifles and pyrotechnic flares to scare away polar bears
- Basic first aid related to Arctic conditions
- Navigation in Svalbard and trip planning tools
- Use of communications systems including satellite communication and VHF
- Emergency equipment and setting up emergency camps
- Use of survival and flotation suits
- HSE (Health, safety and environment) – UNIS and student responsibilities
Learning outcome:
Knowledge
Upon completing the course, the students:
- Have basic knowledge of potential risk scenarios in Svalbard and the high Arctic.
- Have basic knowledge of the HSE-system at UNIS.
- Have basic knowledge on planning safe field work.
Skills
Upon completing the course, the students:
- Know how to handle a rifle and flare gun in a safe way, and handle polar bear encounters.
- Know basic practical first aid and emergency response.
- Know use of navigation and communicative tools.
- Know practical use of survival and flotation suits.
General competences
Upon completing the course, the students:
- Understand basic planning and accomplishing fieldwork and private trips under Arctic conditions.
- Can choose the correct type of clothing and equipment to their planned activity.
- Can recognize dangers in relation to polar bears, weather, and terrain.
Learning activities:
The course extends over 5 days.
Total lecture hours: Ca. 25 hours.
Total exercise hours: Ca. 25 hours.
Field excursion: 0
Compulsory learning activities:
Attendance at lectures, exercises and field excursion.
100% attendance is required to have the course approved.
Assessment:
| Method |
Percentage of final grade
|
| Several practical tests during the course | 100% |
Application deadline: This course cannot be applied for separately.
The course is only offered to enrolled autumn semester students at UNIS and is mandatory for these students.