RFW 256 Backcountry Risk Analysis and Mitigation I is a course where students integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in other program courses to identify, analyze, and manage areas of public and occupational risk within backcountry workplaces. Human, terrestrial, aquatic, and environmental hazards and risk are explored including an examination of leadership and decision-making skills, natural hazard analysis, land-use planning, risk management and mitigation, advanced navigation techniques, backcountry rescue, meteorology, and field weather forecasting.
Prerequisites: RFW 255 with a minimum grade of 60%
Corequisite: RFW 200
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 75 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 1 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 4 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Use navigation techniques to plan and follow a route, and to stay found in the field
- Collect field weather data according to the National Research Council of Canadaguidelines
- Recognize hazards in non-winter backcountry environments
- Apply appropriate strategies to mitigate risk in the outdoors
- Communicate hazards and associated risk in the workplace
- Respond to an emergency situation in the backcountry
- Describe some of the factors that influence decision making
- Work professionally, safely and efficiently in a variety of terrain and weather conditions
Teaching and Learning Approach
This class is comprised of a 50 minute lecture per week and a 4-hour lab. The lectures consist of course
material, class discussions, problem-based learning, case-study analysis and short videos. Most labs are field-
based in locations near Castlegar. Students will be guided through a self-assessment process to evaluate their
performance and learning. COVID protocols will be in place.Learning Resources
Required:
· Canadian National Topographic System maps 82 F/13 Burton and 82 F/14 Slocan 1:50 000 scale.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. RFW 200
2. RFW 200 - Field trip
3. Course introduction and field trip debrief
4. Navigation theory
5. Advanced navigation techniques.
6. Navigation review.
7. Navigation midterm.
8. Principles of risk.
9. Risk management concepts.
10. Introduction to the atmosphere and weather: global circulation.
11. Introduction to the atmosphere and weather: precipitation and winds.
12. Introduction to the atmosphere and weather: local weather and field observation.
13. Decision making.
14. Course Review.
15. Final Exam Week – check www.selkirk.ca for detailsAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Lab Assignments (mostly self-assessed) | | 40% |
| Midterm | | 20% |
| Final Exam (comprehensive) | | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.