21 F1A4 Operator Instructor Notes and Syllabus
Minelab Countermine Division
Safety through Excellence
OPERATOR CONFIRMATION EXERCISE
The Operator Confirmation Exercise is used to confirm all training objectives for the course.
Instructors can decide to what degree the exercise can take. For example, it can include a theory
evaluation with oral questions being given to the student. However, as a minimum each operator must
demonstrate proficiency in the use of the detector by entering a previously prepared test area.
For an operator to be deemed proficient, all targets within the test area must be detected. If a student
fails to detect all targets, he should be permitted to attempt the Confirmation Exercise as many times
as necessary in order to pass.
An example of an Operator Confirmation Exercise Sheet is included at the end of these Instructor Notes.
Equipment
•
Cleared evaluation area – constructed as one mine lane (1m wide and 5m long).
•
Targets to bury in the test area as described below – if inert mines are not available, F1A4 Test
Pieces buried at varying depths will suffice.
Training
As each student comes to be evaluated, make then go through the normal start-up procedures and
also Ground Balance on your mineralized rock, brick or roof tile. They should then Ground Balance
the detector as close as possible to the evaluation area. Earsets must be worn.
•
Sweeping drill.
Ensure the students sweep with the Coil parallel to the ground, and as close as
possible to the ground (observe local procedures) and that they overlap the front, rear and sides of
the area by one half Coil width (100mm/4ins). In addition as they progress up the mine lane, they
should advance the Coil one-half Coil width (100mm/4ins). When a target is initially detected,
always sweep beyond the sound of the target to cleared ground before commencing pinpointing
procedures.
