4.1 This guide establishes the minimum training criteria for snowmobile operator endorsed personnel.

4.2 At no time will this standard supersede any established protocols of international, national, federal, state, tribal, local, or regional governments.

4.3 Every person who is identified as a snowmobile operator endorsed individual shall have met the requirements of this guide.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that a snowmobile operator endorsed individual is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similarly termed member or employee of an agency or organization.

4.4.1 The AHJ is responsible for determining the requirements and qualifications for its team member or employee ratings.

4.4.2 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members or employees.

4.5 A person meeting the requirements of this guide does not necessarily possess adequate field skills and knowledge to make mission-critical decisions.

4.6 This guide by itself is not a training document. It is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating snowmobile operator endorsed personnel.

4.7 This guide is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating snowmobile operator endorsed personnel and may be used to assist in the development of a training document or program.

4.8 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training individuals to be snowmobile operator endorsed personnel. Likewise, this guide may be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements in this guide.

4.9 The knowledge, skills, and abilities presented in the following sections are not in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.

4.10 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with other ASTM standards to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for snowmobile operator endorsed personnel to perform safely and effectively.

4.11 Snowmobile operator endorsed personnel shall record training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide F3068, or with documented field demonstration under qualified supervision.

4.11.1 Where proficiency in a skill or ability must be demonstrated, unless stated otherwise it shall be demonstrated for initial qualification, and as often as required by AHJ.

4.11.2 Proficiency shall be demonstrated to a qualified evaluator as defined by the AHJ.

1.1 This guide establishes the minimum training requirements, including general and field knowledge, skills, and abilities, for personnel who operate snowmobiles as part of their duties.

1.2 This guide applies only to snowmobiles as defined in Section 6.

1.3 A snowmobile operator’s endorsement alone is not sufficient to indicate that an individual has the knowledge, skills, or abilities to perform any specific duties, including search and rescue operations, other than those defined within this guide.

1.4 Snowmobile operator endorsed individuals may, under qualified supervision, perform their normal duties safely and effectively on snowmobiles.

1.5 Snowmobile operator endorsed individuals operate on the surface of the land only, including urban or disaster areas that may be isolated or have lost supporting infrastructure.

1.6 This guide alone does not define the minimum training requirements for personnel to operate snowmobiles in a mountain or alpine environment or in areas prone to avalanche.

1.7 Personnel trained only to this guide are not qualified to operate in leadership positions.

1.8 Snowmobile operator endorsed personnel must work under qualified supervision, as deemed appropriate by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

1.9 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.10 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.