BCC-Rescue Avalanche Rescue Course
1 class + 1 full field day · multiple sessions per season
1 class + 1 full field day · multiple sessions per season
- Duration
- 1 class + 1 field day
- Difficulty
- ●○○○
- Price
- USD 150
- Guides and ratio
- 6:1
- Season
- July to September
- Location
- Bariloche
¡Welcome to the BCC Community! Backcountry Cooperative is a Recognized Provider of the A3 (American Avalanche Association), and this course follows the official Avalanche Rescue curriculum: upon completion you receive the BCC Rescue certificate, internationally recognized. Companion rescue is the most effective intervention in an avalanche accident — the first 15 minutes determine the outcome, and outside help almost always arrives later. This course prepares you for that moment.
The format is intensive: 1 in-person 3-hour class covering rescue principles, the beacon in detail, probing, strategic shoveling and the complete rescue sequence, and 1 full field day (8 hours, at Catedral or Cerro López) that is 100% hands-on: timed beacon drills, search grids with one and two victims, team shoveling and realistic scenarios with rotating leadership. 73% of the course is field time — exceeding the minimums required by A3.
If you want to learn about the objectives and content, check the itinerary tab. This course is designed for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and mountaineers who travel in winter terrain — as well as aspiring professionals and rescue volunteers. There are no formal avalanche prerequisites: it's the ideal course to get started, to join someone who has already taken it, or to refresh a skill that gets rusty fast.
It is also the required complement to REC 1 for those who already have an avalanche course without a certified rescue module.
Includes
- AAGM/UIMLA Ski Mountaineering Guide and avalanche instructors.
- BCC Rescue certificate — recognized by A3.
- Access to the BCC virtual classroom.
- Personal accident insurance.
Not included
- Daily ski resort lift pass (if the practice is at Catedral).
- Lodging and transfers in Bariloche.
- Food for the day.
- Safety equipment.
- Ski touring or splitboard equipment.
- Any item not specified in the program.
Requirements
- No formal avalanche prerequisites.
- Can be done on skis, splitboard or snowshoes.
Itinerary
-
Day 0Pre-course — Classroom
Theory material on avalanche rescue and safety equipment. How to operate and use the beacon, shovel and probe, along with supplementary material on airbags, RECCO and helmets. The theory is studied beforehand so we can make the most of the in-person session for exercises, demonstrations and hands-on practice.
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In-person class — Principles, equipment and technique
Principles of companion rescue, burial times and response priorities. Scene assessment, last seen point, group organization and activating emergency services. Beacon operation and search phases: signal, coarse search and fine search. Managing multiple victims and marking. Practice probing, confirming the victim and strategic shoveling using the conveyor belt system. We also cover searching without a beacon, medical considerations after the burial is uncovered and basics of organized emergency response.
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Day 2Field — Avalanche Rescue
A full day of intensive rescue practice. Beacon check and ascent technique during the approach. Demonstrations and beacon search exercises, including single and double victims and timed drills. Practice systematic probing and strategic team shoveling, with rotations and clearing the airway. Search exercises without a beacon using organized probe lines. The day ends with full rescue scenarios, where participants work on scene safety, role assignment, communication, rotating leadership and group coordination, with a debrief after each scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent equipment?
Yes: skis/skins/bindings, splitboard, and safety kit (shovel, beacon and probe). Ask us about prices and availability. Check prices and availability.
What specific gear do I need?
Ski touring boots/snowboard boots in good condition. Poles. Beacon with new batteries (battery >60%), SHOVEL AND PROBE (mandatory) Helmet (recommended) Goggles Gloves (two pairs — you'll be shoveling a lot) Sunglasses / Sunscreen (SPF 50+) Layered clothing: Thermal base layer (legs and torso) Fleece 100/200 Waterproof jacket Down jacket Waterproof pants Ski socks Beanie and sun hat Buff Other: Hydration pack or water bottle, 1 liter minimum Thermos and lunch for the day Personal first aid kit Cash and ID Notebook and pencil
What topics does the course cover?
The course covers: Principles of companion rescue. Scene safety and initial assessment. Last seen point and organizing the response. Beacon search. Searching for one and two victims. Probing and confirmation. Strategic shoveling. Organized search without a beacon. Roles, leadership and communication. Activating emergency services. Medical considerations after the burial is uncovered. Limits and possibilities of companion rescue. Practicing and maintaining rescue skills.
Where is the field day held?
The field day takes place at Cerro Catedral or Cerro López, depending on snow conditions, weather and the characteristics of the group. We select a wide, safe area outside the ski resort boundaries that allows us to set up the search grids and run the different scenarios.
What previous experience do I need?
You need to be able to travel safely off-piste on easy terrain and have the fitness required for a full mountain day with intense exercises. It can be done on skis, splitboard or snowshoes. It's not a theory-only day: you'll carry out multiple searches, probings and excavations throughout the day.
Sign up
Book your spot with no payment. We'll confirm by email or WhatsApp.
