I recently spent several sessions over a few weeks engaging with the ‘Mountain CRM’ e-learning package from @mountain_assurance @jamesthacker. James is an International Mountain Guide based in Scotland.
Originating in the aviation industry, CRM (Cockpit Resource Managment) might be generically defined as ‘the training of the cognitive and social skills needed to support technical training in order to optimise safe and efficient operations’.
Train your brain for avalanche terrain and learn practical tools you can use on the mountain. //
– James Thacker
James has aimed his course at mountaineering professionals operating in avalanche terrain. However i would wholeheartedly support his suggestion that ‘CRM has a place in any environment which relies on humans in the system’.
In my latter years in the Army i was ‘required’ to undertake a raft of highly regarded courses in the managment of projects, programmes, risk and change. In several of those courses the cognitive and social skills that are covered in this e-course were also covered. However the context and case studies in those courses were much duller – at least that was my opinion. I guess what i’m trying to articulate – and i sent an email to James on this point earlier today – was that i think anyone in any profession that has both ‘humans’ and ‘risk’ in it would benefit from doing the course. You do not need to be a mountaineer, nor au fait with avalanche terrain to get a lot out of this course.
The course costs £24. It takes about 6-8 hours. I found it interesting, thought provoking and would highly recommend it if you work and or play in a risk rich environment.
The course is accredited as continuing professional development (CPD) for the British Association of Mountain Guides (BMG), British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML) and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).
Additionally, are a couple of places in the course that James refers to the book ‘Peak Performance Under Pressure‘ by Dr Stephen Hearns. Alongside the e-course or indeed independent of it, i’d also highly recommend the book.
