Hangfire Training Ltd Covid 19 Operating Plan – 2020/2021

Last Updated November 23, 2020

 

Avalanche Training has been called an essential service.  If you are going to be riding in the mountains this winter, then you should take an avalanche course.

From Avalanche Canada

“Avalanche Canada feels that AST fits into the “essential service” category as defined below:

  • Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, and public post secondary institutions—for purposes of facilitating remote learning or performing essential functions, including services that are needed to ensure the safety, security, welfare, integrity and health of the community, property and research and certain operational and contractual activities

We realize that the provincial health orders and guidelines may change. At this point, we feel that AST courses are able to continue in BC. Masks are mandatory indoors and of course the 2 metre distancing and hand hygiene are extremely important components.”

 

From Hangfire Training

At this time, we are going to keep on running avalanche courses through Winter 2020/2021.  With the classroom session being online and the field days being small groups in wide open spaces, we are welcoming people to our courses.  A number of students have already worked through the online course and are enjoying being able to work through it at their own pace.

 

Class session training.  All class sessions for AST 1 and AST 2 courses have been moved to and online or Zoom style learning.  There is no in person, indoor classroom learning.

 

Field days.  AST Field days will be held outdoors as usual where we can maintain 2 meters of distance between people or bubbles.  Students and instructors will be asked to have a face covering, as well, for times where distancing may not be possible.  Make sure your face covering does not have holes in it.  It should fully block your mouth and nose, similar to a cloth face mask.

 

Bubble groups. You are encouraged to take the AST courses with your friends and family.  This helps to reduce the risk.

 

Mixed groups.  You can take the course as an individual, or with a smaller group.  The outdoor nature of the course combined with distancing and/or face coverings will be sufficient to meet health authority regulations.

 

Students will be asked to inform us and not attend the AST field days if they:

  • Are exhibiting signs and symptoms of Covid-19 within the last 14 days
  • Have been in contact with someone who has signs and symptoms or who has tested positive in the last 14 days
  • Have been out of the country within the last 14 days

 

We will stay current with the best practices from the BC health authorities.

Cancellation Policy

When possible we will try to reschedule your AST 1 field day if you need to cancel based on Covid related issues.

AST 1

  • Full refund minus $10 per person cancellation fee 15 days or more prior to the course date.
  • 50% refund 14 to 8 days prior to the course.
  • Zero refund within 7 days of course date.

AST 2

  • Full refund minus $10 per person cancellation fee 30 days or more prior to the course date.
  • 50% refund 29 to 15 days prior to the course.
  • Zero refund within 14 days of course date.

Contact us with any questions.

Hangfire Training Ltd.

 

More from Avalanche Canada

“Our request was reviewed by Dr. Albert de Villiers, Chief Medical Officer for Interior Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer.

We were grateful to know our request was considered by the top officials. Drs de Villiers and Henry recognized that we provide an essential service and, because we have a comprehensive COVID plan in place, these services can continue.

  • Smallest group possible
  • Keep a low profile. Remember that anything that looks like a social gathering will be seen as one
  • Ensure everyone wears masks inside and, if in close proximity, outdoors as well
  • Minimize interaction with others outside your group
  • No socializing outside the courses
  • Do as much online as possible
  • Stay local or within your health region if possible

Out of province travel is still not recommended. If you do so be clear on your purpose and only do what is required for the course. We ask that all travel be done respectfully and discretely.

  • Minimize interaction with people and businesses in communities you visit
  • Buy your groceries and fuel in your home town
  • Order out, don’t go to restaurants
  • Do not add recreation or vacation days. We don’t want to see AvCan Training courses used as an excuse for out of province travel.”