Mountain Travel Rescue Courses
The primary goal of NSP’s MTR program goal is to provide ski patrollers and interested members of the public with the knowledge and skills needed to serve as assets and leaders in search-and rescue (SAR) operations, especially in winter settings and in mountain environments. A second goal of MTR training is to enable ski patrollers to serve as highly skilled, safety-conscious leaders of outdoor activities in the mountains, by providing a broad, balanced array of outdoor skills related to survival, navigation, travel, group dynamics, terrain management, environmental awareness, search and rescue, and emergency care.
Summary of MTR Courses
MTR Fundamentals: This course covers basic techniques of wilderness navigation, mountain travel, and survival, including emergency shelters, the Incident Command System, group dynamics, and SAR. MTR F does not include an overnight campout. Students must complete two National Incident Management System courses in the Incident Command System: IS-100.c and IS-700.b.1
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek awareness of and proficiency in skills needed to be assets in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, especially those conducted in the winter or in mountainous terrain. People who plan to take MTR 2 should complete MTR 1 instead of MTR F.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek awareness of and proficiency in skills needed to be assets in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, especially those conducted in the winter or in mountainous terrain. People who plan to take MTR 2 should complete MTR 1 instead of MTR F.
MTR 1: This course provides hands-on practice in wilderness navigation, mountain travel, and survival, including emergency shelters, the Incident Command System, and SAR. MTR 1 includes a mandatory overnight field session. Students must also complete two National Incident Management System courses in the Incident Command System: IS-100.c and IS-700.b.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek awareness of and proficiency in skills needed to be assets in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, especially those conducted in the winter or in mountainous terrain and in settings involving possible overnight outings. MTR F is not a prerequisite.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek awareness of and proficiency in skills needed to be assets in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, especially those conducted in the winter or in mountainous terrain and in settings involving possible overnight outings. MTR F is not a prerequisite.
MTR 2: This course involves classroom work and at least two field days in addition to a two-night field session. The course includes in-depth practice in land navigation, search and rescue, rescue rigging, survival skills, and emergency shelters. To pass MTR 2, students must demonstrate independent proficiency in a well defined set of backcountry travel, land navigation, emergency shelter, and rescue rigging skills. These skills align with many standards listed in ASTM F2209-14, “Standard Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member.”
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who have completed MTR 1 and who seek to demonstrate proficiency in MTR skills at a level appropriate for team leaders in mountain and winter SAR operations. Completion of MTR 1 is a prerequisite, since MTR 2 requires overnight exercises. Students must also complete the National Incident Management System course IS-200.b, in addition to the courses IS-100.b and IS-700.a completed as part of MTR 1.2 Depending on the terrain covered in the course, the Division MTR Supervisor may also require completion of some or all of NSP’s Level 1 Avalanche curriculum. The MTR Program Committee strongly urges all students preparing for MTR 2 to pursue Level I Avalanche training as part of a complete mountaineering education.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who have completed MTR 1 and who seek to demonstrate proficiency in MTR skills at a level appropriate for team leaders in mountain and winter SAR operations. Completion of MTR 1 is a prerequisite, since MTR 2 requires overnight exercises. Students must also complete the National Incident Management System course IS-200.b, in addition to the courses IS-100.b and IS-700.a completed as part of MTR 1.2 Depending on the terrain covered in the course, the Division MTR Supervisor may also require completion of some or all of NSP’s Level 1 Avalanche curriculum. The MTR Program Committee strongly urges all students preparing for MTR 2 to pursue Level I Avalanche training as part of a complete mountaineering education.
MTR Clinic (MTR C): MTR Clinics allow focused, in-depth training in one or two specific topics, based on patrollers' local needs. Examples include search and rescue techniques, land navigation, rope rescue, survival skills, and extended backcountry patient care.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek additional expertise in specific MTR skills, at a level typically involving six hours or more, up to two field days. There are no prerequisites other than proper clothing and
equipment and ability to participate in the planned activities
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek additional expertise in specific MTR skills, at a level typically involving six hours or more, up to two field days. There are no prerequisites other than proper clothing and
equipment and ability to participate in the planned activities
MTR Enhancement Seminar: Similar to MTR Clinics, MTR Enhancement Seminars allow focused, in-depth training in one or two specific topics, based on patrollers' local needs. MTR E assumes a prior level of knowledge consistent with completion of a full-length MTR course.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek additional expertise in specific MTR skills, at a level typically involving six hours or more, up to two field days. MTR E normally requires completion of MTR F, MTR 1, or MTR 2. Instructors of record may establish prerequisites for participation based on the level of material being presented.
Who Should Take It:
Ski patrollers and members of the public who seek additional expertise in specific MTR skills, at a level typically involving six hours or more, up to two field days. MTR E normally requires completion of MTR F, MTR 1, or MTR 2. Instructors of record may establish prerequisites for participation based on the level of material being presented.
Beyond MTR
Mountaineering and SAR include levels of expertise beyond what NSP courses provide. NSP encourages patrollers who require expertise beyond that provided in its MTR courses to pursue appropriate training through other providers, especially those accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association or recognized by the Mountain Rescue Association or the National Association for Search and Rescue.
For additional NSP member resources for the MTR program, visit www.NSP.org *you must be logged into the NSP site to view this content
For additional NSP member resources for the MTR program, visit www.NSP.org *you must be logged into the NSP site to view this content