ASTM F3028-24

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3028 − 18 F3028 − 24
Standard Guide for
Training of Search and Rescue Personnel Operating in the
Alpine Environment (Alpine Endorsement)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3028; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum training, including general and field knowledge, skills, and abilities, for search and rescue
personnel who conduct operations in an alpine environment.
1.2 An Alpine Endorsement is intended only for those individuals capable of operating in the extreme conditions of the alpine
environment, at altitudes that are likely to have a negative impact on human physiology.
1.2.1 Specifically, Alpine Endorsed individuals may, under qualified supervision, perform their normal duties safely and
effectively in an alpine environment.
1.2.2 In addition, Alpine Endorsed individuals may, under qualified supervision, perform their normal duties safely and effectively
in mountainous terrain alone.
1.3 An Alpine Endorsement alone is not sufficient to indicate that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to
perform any specific duties, including search and rescue operations, other than those defined in this guide.
1.4 This guide alone does not provide the minimum training requirements for performing operations in partially or fully collapsed
structures, in- or on-water, in or on water, in confined spaces, or underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).
1.5 An Alpine-endorsed Alpine Endorsed individual may be a member of a Mountainous or Alpine Land Search Team or Task
Force or Group, as defined in Classification F1993.
1.6 Alpine Endorsed SAR personnel must work under qualified supervision as deemed appropriate by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ).
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This test method guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
Training and Education.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018April 1, 2024. Published May 2018April 2024. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
F3028F3028 – 18.–13. DOI: 10.1520/F3028-18.10.1520/F3028-24.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3028 − 24
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices (Withdrawn 2024)
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
F2752 Guide for Training for Basic Rope Rescuer Endorsement
F3027 Guide for Training of Personnel Operating in Mountainous Terrain (Mountain Endorsement)
F3068 Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB)
F3222 Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
2.2 Other References:NWCG Publication:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) publication PMS 304-2,PMS 304-2 “FitnessFitness and Work Capacity”Ca-
pacity
“Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills,” 8th ed., Ronald C. Eng and Julie Van Pelt, eds.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 alpine ice axe, n—as defined by the UIAA (Union Internationale Des Associations D’Alpinisme), a Type B ice tool (the
UIAA Basic type) with lower strength, for use in general circumstances, as on glacier for snow hiking, for ski mountaineering, etc.,
and which meets the requirements of UIAA 152 or CE EN 13089:2011.
3.1.1 exposure, n—the degree to which a person is exposed on a high, sheer, and unsheltered rock face.
3.1.2 technical ice axe, n—as defined by the Union Internationale Des Associations D’Alpinismedes Associations d’Alpinisme
(UIAA), a Type T ice tool (the UIAA Technical type) with higher strength for use in all circumstances, but especially for ice
climbing, dry tooling, etc., and which meets the requirements of UIAA 152 or CECEN EN 13089:2011.
3.1.3 traditional, or trad, climbing, n—a style of rock climbing in which the person ascending places all gear required to protect
against falls (chocks, cams, pitons, etc.),etc.) and removes it when a route is complete.
3.2 For definitions of other terms used in this guide, see Terminology F1773, Terminology F3222, Guide F2209, and Guide F2752.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training of SAR personnel who conduct operations in an alpine environment.
4.1.1 Alpine Endorsed individuals are required to have, at a minimum, the knowledge, skills, and abilities pertaining to safe
movement individually, or as a member of a team, in an alpine environment.
4.1.2 Every person who is identified as Alpine Endorsed shall meet the requirements of this guide.
4.1.3 Alpine Endorsed individuals shall be entitled to add the prefixes “Alpine Endorsed” and “Mountain Endorsed” to their
current training levels.
4.2 This guide only establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to operate in an alpine
environment as a part of a larger team. No other skills are included or implied.
4.3 An Alpine Endorsement indicates that a person is qualified to operate safely and effectively in the alpine environment in his
or her normal area of operations.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.Available from National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) at www.nwcg.gov/
publications/304-2.
This guide includes all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities defined in Guide F3027.
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4.3.1 An Alpine Endorsement alone does not indicate that an individual possesses adequate field skills and knowledge to make
mission-critical decisions.
4.4 This guide is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating an Alpine Endorsed individual, and may be used to
assist in the development of a training document or program.
4.5 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training individuals
to operate in the alpine environment. Likewise, this guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets
the requirements in this guide.
4.6 The knowledge, skills, and abilities presented in the following sections are not in any particular order and do not represent
a training sequence.
4.7 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with other ASTM Standardsstandards to identify the knowledge, skills, and
abilities needed to conduct search and/or rescue in the alpine environment.
4.8 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an Alpine Endorsed individual is a “trainee,”
“probationary,” or other similarly termed member of an organization.
4.8.1 The AHJ is responsible for determining the requirements and qualifications for its team member ratings.
4.8.2 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.
4.9 An Alpine-endorsed Alpine Endorsed individual shall document his or her training by completion of a position task book,book
compliant with Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision.
4.10 Where proficiency in a skill or ability must be demonstrated, unless stated otherwise,otherwise it shall be demonstrated for
initial qualification and as often as required by the AHJ.
5. General Knowledge
5.1 The AHJ shall verify that an Alpine Endorsed person possesses both attitude and aptitude for working in an alpine
environment:
5.1.1 The individual must demonstrate the ability to function effectively in highly exposed locations at high altitude and in extreme
conditions;
5.1.2 The individual must be able to move safely and effectively anywhere in the terrain and conditions normal to that
environment.
5.2 Alpine Endorsed individuals shall demonstrate knowledge of the following:
5.2.1 The differences between wilderness travel, mountain travel, and alpine travel.
5.2.2 Human functional and survival needs in cold, windy, and wet environments, including:
5.2.2.1 Clothing (suitable for all four seasons);
5.2.2.2 Shelter, both emergency and extended stay;
5.2.2.3 Nutrition;
5.2.2.4 Hydration;
5.2.2.5 Hygiene;
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5.2.2.6 Sanitation;
5.2.2.7 Individual and team safety issues specific to operating in an alpine environment.
5.2.3 Medical conditions such as:
5.2.3.1 Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS);
5.2.3.2 High Altitude Pulmo
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