Battelle ARO Training
Battelle ARO provides field training courses, using in-house and third-party experts, based on the needs of researchers.
Arctic Field Training
The Arctic Field Training program strives to provide customized, specific training to serve the location and nature of a funded project. Battelle ARO HSE team members work with researchers and project managers to identify topics that may be discussed in a virtual platform and what skills are best practiced in person. Training covers cold weather camping, survival techniques, basic first aid, working around aircraft, emergency communications, bears, search-and-rescue procedures and risk management.
Arctic Field Training Short Course (held at the Toolik Field Station)
Tailored to the needs of attendees, the course lasts two hours to a full day and covers some of the Arctic Field Training topics (described above).
Small Boat Training
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) teaches this three-day course aimed at researchers working in or around water. Covers topics such as inflatable boat and motor use, emergency signaling devices, personal flotation devices, and hypothermia. Students spend time on and in the water during training. Find more information on the AMSEA website.
Bear Awareness Training
Curriculum focuses on the geographical distribution of different bear species, their ecology, behavior and habits, and best practices to minimize the likelihood of a bear encounter. Non-lethal deterrents are also discussed and teams may practice with wildlife sensors, bear fences, noise deterrents and inert bear spray practice cartridges.
Training
Training is based on curriculum from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Marine Mammals Management.
Harassment Awareness
Harrassment Awareness training empowers field teams through inclusive behavior, and gives participants tools to indentify, respond to, and report various types of harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, or any form of discrimination.
Wilderness First-Aid Training / Certification
Wilderness first-aid training is different from traditional first-aid training: Wilderness first-aid training prepares us for remote settings with challenging weather, unreliable communications and/or delayed medical or rescue support, limited equipment, and the need to make independent decisions on care and transport. As such, it is also useful for situations in which medical services may be compromised by natural or other disasters. We recommend any of the following certifications for researchers and/or their assistants.
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
- Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicial (W-EMT)
Other Suggested Trainings
Many providers offer these courses, so search for one in your area. We suggest you choose an organization that is a contributor or signatory to the Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder Scope of Practice documents, such as WMI – Wilderness Medical Institute, WMA – Wilderness Medical Associates; CWS – Center for Wilderness Safety; WMTC – Wilderness Medicine Training Center; WMO – Wilderness Medicine Outfitters; RMI – Remote Medical International; Desert Mountain Medicine.
Glacier Travel
If your team is working on glaciers where crevasses or steep terrain are a potential hazard, consider glacier travel or crevasse rescue types of training. You could also look into hiring a mountaineer who could assist with your project and provide training and expertise on safety. Battelle ARO can potentially help you with this training depending on location and timing. Otherwise, some organizations that provide glacier skills training are:
- IMCS – International Mountain Climbing School
- RMI – Rainer Mountaineering Incorporated
- AAI – American Alpine Institute
Swift Water Travel
If you are going to be working in or near rivers, knowing how to work safely around these water bodies is important. If you will be working on a boat in moving water, you may be well-served by a swift-water rescue course offered by one of many commercial providers. Some suggestions are:
- Rescue 3 International
- PRI – Swiftwater-rescue
If you want to know how to safely work around or cross rivers by foot, Battelle ARO may be able to help you, or some of the swift-water rescue providers may customize a course for you.
Aviation Land and Water Survival School
Learn to Return Training Systems provides this intense look at methods and techniques for surviving aviation accidents in both small and large airplanes and helicopters. During the two-day course, students experience land and water crash simulations to duplicate impact conditions. Find more information on the Alaska Survival Training - Learn to Return Training Systems website.
Alaska Oilfield Training
Multiple operators have specific requirements for unaccompanied researchers traveling in the energy sector near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Alaska Safety Alliance works with Alaska operator and contractor companies to provide Alaska-specific industry NTSC training that is comprehensive, relevant, and easily accessible for all workers, whether they live in a population center or a remote village.
Current course offerings are linked here:
https://www.alaskasafetyalliance.org/training/courses/
If you don’t see a class you are looking for, contact Alaska Safety Alliance at (907) 770-5250 or info@alaskasafetyalliance.org
Tailored classes for researchers
In addition to the above, we can tailor a course to your group’s needs. Contact the Field Risk Technician to discuss options that may suit your needs. The table below gives a sampling of the topics available.
Environment
- Heat Injuries and Illness
- Cold Injuries and Illness
- Lightning Awareness
- Glacial Hazards and crevasse rescue
- Proglacial Hazards
- Sea Ice Hazards
- Avalanche Awareness
- Leave No Trace / Environmental Impacts
- Swiftwater Safety
- Whiteout Navigation
Health
- Hygiene (Personal, Group, Feminine)
- Water-borne Illness
- Zoonotic Infections in AK (Brucellosis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichinellosis, Giardiasis/Cryptosporidiosis, Rabies, Tularemia)
- Common Injuries Requiring First Aid
- First Aid Kits and Contents
Wildlife
- Hazardous Wildlife Awareness (Walrus, Moose, Muskoxen, Bears, Canids, Marine Mammals)
- Bears (ID, Precautions, Deterrents, Defense)
- Mosquitoes (windgear, headnets, bug shirts, repellents)
- Technology
- Satellite Phones
- GPS use
- Personal Locator Becons and Satellite Messengers (EPIRB, In-reach, ACR, Spot)
- Two-way radios
- Ground to Air radios (iComm)
- Weather Band Radios
Equipment
- Tents and Tent Repair
- General Field Repair Kits
- Map and Compass in High Latitudes
- Dressing for Success (What's in your Pack?)
- Bear Fences
- Staying Found / Self Rescue
- Working at Height
- Throw Bags
- Knots
- Camp Stove Use, Repair, and Safety
- Drone Safety (B4UFLY)
Transportation
- ATV orientation
- Snowmachine orientation
- Aircraft Safety
- Working around Helicopters
- Small Watercraft Safety (AMSEA)
- Defensive Driving in the Arctic
Team-building
- Harrassment and Bullying Awareness
- Cultural Considerations
- Risk Assessment
- Communications Plan
- Emergency Action Plan
- Managing Social Media for Researchers
- Field Scenario Table-top Exercises
