AVALANCHE EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

ABSTRACT: Avalanche education in the USA has a long and colorful history punctuated by many of the most notable and endearing personalities on our field. However in the last few decades, a new generation of avalanche instructors has emerged and avalanche education is becoming more geographically available and formatted in delivery. Debates over standards, curricular consistency and recommended practices are prolific, as are efforts by the American Avalanche Association (AAA) and American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) to credential both instructors and course providers. As a result, a certain amount of discordance has emerged. In this poster and companion paper, the author will describe and discuss the history and current state of avalanche education in the United States. An analysis of the benefits and liabilities of various certification schemes will result in a proposal of scenarios for moving forward in harmony with the greatest good for the greatest number of winter backcountry users being the guiding objective. 1