Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions
Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions are delivered by Dr Sam Bartholomew with support from Wanaka Mountain Guides. The sessions provides more guidance to backcountry skiers and snowboarders on how to approach and manage avalanche rescue. This extends and complements what is taught about finding, digging and basic first aid on standard avalanche skills courses. The focus is what needs to happen once you have dug someone out! This is for anyone who is curious in what are the basics because the basics matter most.
“The key thing is to ensure that as many people as possible feel they have the tools. This is based on an approach that is straightforward, uncomplicated and not academic. If you were the one injured or buried, what would you want your companions to do for you. Tools that are simple, safe, efficient. Leave the ego at the door.” – Sam Bartholomew
Who are these sessions for?
These session are for backcountry travelers who have already undertaken an avalanche skills course. It is not intended for mountain professionals or trained first responders.
Avalanche and Basic Life Support Topics
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDIzOjIwMjE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 1")
- What really matters?
- Basic life support procedures.
- AvaLife Basic Avalanche Resuscitation Algorithm.
- Bleeding, broken, cold – what can you do?
- Key to making any of this work
- Suffering and risk the principles to a medical kit
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Avalance Rescue](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDUxOjMwNTM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 2")
The two evening sessions are a large 2 hour large group session and a small group 2.5 hour session.
The small group session format allows practical exercises to practice delivering Basic Life Support and practice with a manekin.
Dr Sam Bartholomew
Sam is a member for the Royal NZ College of Urgent Care Physicians. He is currently working at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth as a Rural Hospital Generalist. He has experience working in Rural Hospitals since 2019. He has previously worked in an Urgent Facility in Christchurch, in varying General Practices and hospitals. He has worked as an expedition medic to the Sub-antarctic and to the Ross Sea. He has also been the Medical Advisor for the NZ Hang gliding and Paragliding association. He has regularly presented at varying conferences and always uses the chance to create unique learning experiences.
Pricing and Dates
| Dates: Saturday 2nd and Saturday 9th August 2025 |
| $10 (or more) donation per person to the Otago Southland Rescue Trust and the Peter Calver Foundation |
| Limited spaces available so register your interest below for more information. |
See Also
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Treble Cone Backcountry Tour](IMG-20220915-WA0005 "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 4")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Avalanche Courses](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTA4OjE5NzI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 5")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Ski and Splitboard Touring](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTEzOjIwMDE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 6")
’10/10. Extremely Knowledgeable. Fantastic Group Facilitation Skills. Great Teacher. Passionate about Skiing, Mountains/ Weather/ Snow Pack. Incredibly Patient. Cool, Calm, and Collected.’
— Fiona, Avalanche Skills Course
‘I learned heaps on my course, it was a wonderful experience. WMG has very experienced and knowledgeable guides who share this knowledge with skill, expertise, and grace. Highly recommended.’
— Stuart, Avalanche Skills Course
‘A great local company offering backcountry tours. Less people, fresh lines and opportunity to enhance your backcountry skills. Our guide, was exceptional. He picked a great route, great skiing, and included some snow science along the way. Highly recommended.’
— Nathan, Remarkables Backcountry Tour
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzAwOjYwNQ==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzQ1NiA0NjEzIiB3aWR0aD0iMzQ1NiIgaGVpZ2h0PSI0NjEzIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg== "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 7")
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzA0OjI5MjM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 8")
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzA4OjI5MjQ=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 9")
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzEyOjI5MjU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 10")
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzE3OjE5ODI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 11")
![Avalanche Skills Refresher [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzIxOjI5MjU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Avalanche and Basic Life Support Sessions 12")