training
Training
The Puget Sound Treasure Hunter’s Club training and certification program was created to provide a standardized, Board approved training program. We feel it is our responsibility to assist new members in learning responsible metal detecting practices while we assist them in learning the basics of metal detecting. The club training and certification program recognizes that members have different levels of experience metal detecting, from no experience to many years of experience, and we should provide training that appeals to all levels of experience. The club’s Board Members review the training and certification program each year and certify that it provides information that is still pertinent to the metal detecting hobby and that the certification requirements are appropriate for each level of membership metal detecting experience.
The training and certification program is designed on the theory that the memberships training requirement can be divided into three levels; a basic level where a member’s equipment or expected detecting goals are limited or the member is just learning the hobby and training focus is on learning basic factory settings; an advanced level where the member’s equipment and their desired detecting goals involve a broader range of detector settings and detecting conditions and goals; and a master level where the member is capable of utilizing their equipment and settings to fully achieve their detecting goals.
To achieve the club training goals, the club conducts monthly training classes presented at each monthly membership meeting, field training held at the monthly club hunt, provides a handout as part of the new member’s packet, and created the certification program to document training achievements.
The Basic level training program recognizes that many of our members are just getting started in the hobby and have no experience metal detecting; so, the basic training program is designed to educate them on the hobby. This education is designed to set realistic expectations about the hobby, introduce them to the terminology associated with the hobby, and help them understand the equipment used. The basic level training is documented with a 30-question multiple choice test and a short field test.
The Advanced training program is designed for those members with more experience, who are given the opportunity, through the monthly field training; to learn and hone their skills utilizing their specific metal detector. They can train and practice with the aid of a mentor who has completed the advanced certification program using the same detector as they have, on the same material used in the certification test. The advanced training program provides them with a means to learn and test some of the more advanced capabilities of their detectors, like target ID or VDI numbers, learn more about their detectors default capabilities, have greater success metal detecting, and achieve club recognition for their efforts. The advanced level training is achieved upon the successful completion of three field tests and mentoring a member thru the Basic level certification.
The Master training program is designed for those members who desire to fully utilize some of the advanced features of modern metal detectors such as tone ID and to be able to customize programs to aid with target identification. Through the monthly field training; they can train and practice on the same material used in the certification test. The master training program provides them with a means to learn and test some of the additional advanced capabilities of their detectors, learn more about their detector, increase their potential for greater success metal detecting, and achieve club recognition for their efforts. The master level training is achieved upon the successful completion of three field tests, a 30-term matching test, completion of a “Request permission to Detect” self-paced activity, and mentoring a member thru the advanced level certification training.
The monthly training classes focus on new members and support the Basic Certification level. This training is presented via videos that are shown on the large screen TV at the monthly meeting site. These videos are available on-line and introduce the members to the self-training resource the internet can provide. These presentations are updated each year, if required, with the goal of making them a augmented self-study program, that allows any member to run the videos at the monthly meetings. Any questions that arise from the presentation can be answered by any of the experienced members present at the meeting.
The handout that is included in the New Members Packet contains a slide presentation called “Basic Metal Detecting”. It is designed to cover the basic concepts, equipment, and restrictions associated with metal detecting. The 60 slides cover all the questions that are in the 30 question Basic Certification Test. The handout also lists the video links for the Basic training level and some video product reviews to help members make purchase decisions.
Scheduled club training:
August:
10:08 Pinpointing Techniques with Garrett’s 8.5 X 11 DD Coil https://youtu.be/l-hqvdjRVxc
1:11 MD 101 Coils https://youtu.be/Kj3gblEYmSo
1:05 MD 101 Swing https://youtu.be/l_WZxj6-Y8U
1:11 MD 101 Pinpoint https://youtu.be/I1NYXHDWA5Y
4:41 Introducing Garrett’s AT Gold https://youtu.be/UrjueW3K0Yw
September:
8:30 Basics of Metal Detecting https://youtu.be/7sEHhS9aQqE
5:53 How to dig your target Metal Detecting and not leave holes https://youtu.be/KpLMU5W-4zY
1:09 MD 101 Ethics https://youtu.be/jU0jwtL46iY
2:26 Fisher F75 https://youtu.be/0NV-g_t0qoI
October:
Since we always go to Alki Beach in October, training will focus on beach hunting:
Beach Metal Detecting Tips 1:59 http://youtu.be/6blLHB3OsIQ
How to Metal Detect on the Beach 3:20 http://youtu.be/JL5XdE1Ssc0
Metal Detecting Beaches Tips and tricks 12:56 https://youtu.be/No_1ylYxQN4
2:51 Teknetics T2 Special Edition https://youtu.be/cKX7WGKit-c
November:
For those who want something beyond basic MD info, we will focus on the relationship between Mineralization, Ground Balance and Discrimination.
MD 101 Ground 1:04 http://youtu.be/rZuWzKVsJjc
MD 101 Disc 0:54 http://youtu.be/ETG1LcVyq6U
Understanding Notch & Discrimination – What you really need to know 10:07 https://youtu.be/dZUCy3GnlCM
XP Deus Ground Balance Demonstration HF Elliptical Coil 2:12 https://youtu.be/uJ-LMR6WxAk
December: NO TRAINING - CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
January:
9:14 Metal Detecting 101, What you need to metal detect, basic metal detecting gear https://youtu.be/g3auUS9_vBU
2:10 Metal Detectors Pinpointers New & Popular 2017 https://youtu.be/q7ZFsatgrPM
4:23 Selecting the best metal detector pinpointer – How to video guide https://youtu.be/sz-1FJ-i4Dg
3:52 Minelab CTX 3030 https://youtu.be/oQqufKfWBWA
February:
8:03 Metal Detecting for beginners: Equipment https://youtu.be/Tfe-vRxa9zw
4:53 Treasure Talk – High traffic areas https://youtu.be/SEzP-Idz3YA
2:57 XP Deus Review https://youtu.be/LclqnMQDOT0
March:
6:55 How to find places to metal detect https://youtu.be/DgvEMTfW7E4
4:39 Treasure Talk – How to find old places to metal detect https://youtu.be/JJ_pttQNiQo
4:29 Minelab Equinox https://youtu.be/qUz1xl-d-nE
April:
13.42 Getting permission to detect by todd yerks https://youtu.be/Es9fSt68icc
3:25 White’s Spectra VX3 https://youtu.be/zsx0ZQbHuOI
May:
6:01 Coin Collecting 101 https://youtu.be/cdeGZ8yJyZQ
8:12 Metal Detecting Competition Lenny Phay 2017 https://youtu.be/9Bu6y0JsNn4
2:46 White’s Spectra V3i https://youtu.be/Sy8OeiVoW4s
June:
6:45 Things to look for that point the way to the gold https://youtu.be/ItODPz-6C40
1:35 Water Metal Detecting tips for accurate target scooping https://youtu.be/DhJXQG0BOeI
2:58 Minelab Excalibur https://youtu.be/1hKjv6eHYKc
July:
Metal Detecting specialization, gold nuggets, hoards and meteorites
2:15 Meterorite minute episode 10 https://youtu.be/R-cJ1jk-w-0
1:08 TM 808 introduction https://youtu.be/0G4hmGMg2HM
2 :48 Minelab GPX 5000 https://youtu.be/3UuG0fBxJ4Y
2:57 Garrett ATX Metal Detector Product Overview https://youtu.be/VlcUgCMtXsA
7:01 Treasure Talk – Hunting Beaches and parks for gold jewelry https://youtu.be/I7EIOQuNXeE
Puget Sound Treasure Hunter’s Club (PSTHC)
(Reviewed and updated March 2018)
Certified Basic Treasure Hunter Exam Guide
This guide is designed to provide basic information for Puget Sound Treasure Hunter’s Club (PSTHC) new members who are just learning about the hobby of metal detecting. The information provided in this guide has been reviewed by the PSTHC Board and is required knowledge to receive the club’s “Certified Basic Treasure Hunter” designation and patch.
Please do not copy or distribute without permission of the Puget Sound Treasure Hunt’s Club.
The Certification program is designed to demonstrate a member’s knowledge of metal detecting. A detailed explanation and the rationale behind each of the level is provided below. Not all members will desire to participate in the certification program, but all members will benefit from the associated training presented during the monthly meetings.
Basic certification covers introductory information for metal detecting. This information is designed to provide foundation training that will ensure members know how to correctly recover a target and the requirement to remove all trash from the site. This information is contained in the Certified Basic Treasure Hunter Exam Guide, part of the new members packet provided to new members when they join. The new member can then take the 30 question multiple choice exam at the next monthly membership meeting. The last part of the Basic certification is a field evaluation where the new member is observed at a monthly club hunt to ensure that they are performing target recovery in the correct manner.
BASIC TREASURE HUNTER - certification
30 Question multiple choice written test
16 step field evaluation, must perform 12 of 16 key actions in field.
Basic Test is available before Membership Meeting and during any club event.
Basic Field Evaluation is conducted during monthly club hunt.
A member who passes the written test and the field evaluation is presented with a certificate and a patch at the next membership meeting.
Advanced certification covers the next level of metal detector operation where the user must demonstrate additional skills using the metal detector.
ADVANCED TREASURE HUNTER - certification
3 FIELD EVALUATIONS
FIELD EVALUATION 1 "THREE CARD MONTY"
4 ROWS EACH CONTAINING 1 NICKLE, 1 DIME, 1 QUARTER, AND 1 NAIL
CORRECTLY IDENTIFY 3 out of 4 IN EACH ROW OR 12 out of 16
FIELD EVALUATION 2 "NAME THAT TARGET"
IDENTIFY WHAT IS AT EACH LOCATION a NICKLE, a DIME, a QUARTER, OR a NAIL. MUST IDENTIFY 10 OF 14.
FIELD EVALUATION 3 " THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY".
IDENTIFY BY LOCATION 4 NICKLES, 4 DIMES, AND 4 QUARTERS.
MUST CORRECTLY LOCATE 9 OF 12.
The Advanced certification field evaluations are designed so that the metal detector operator must be able to differentiate the 4 targets used in these evaluations.
Options available are the use of the visual indicators, use of audio indicators, use of different preset programs, and the use of custom discrimination and other settings.
Because of the requirement to identify different targets, some lower end detectors may not be suitable for these evaluations.
TRAIN A NEW MEMBER TO PASS THE BASIC CERTIFICATION
To complete the Advanced Certification level, the member must mentor a member thru the Basic level certification.
A member who passes the three field evaluations and mentors a member thru the Basic certification level is presented with a certificate and a patch at the next membership meeting.
Advanced Tests are available only by appointment.
Master certification covers the next level of metal detector operation where the user must demonstrate additional skills using the metal detector.
MASTER TREASURE HUNTER - certification
3 FIELD EVALUATIONS
30 Question matching definitions WRITTEN TEST
1 Self-paced activity " Request Permission"
1 MENTOR A MEMBER TO PASS THE ADVANCED CERTIFICATION
FIELD EVALUATION 1 "THE EARS HAVE IT"
will be to identify good vs bad targets by using sound only. Display will be masked and the operator must give a good or bad target rating to each target. Coins, pull tabs, foil, and nails will be used. MUST IDENTIFY 10 OF 14
Options available to achieve the objectives of this evaluation are the use of audio indicators such as different tones, use of different preset programs such as the coin program that discriminates out trash signals, and the use of custom discrimination and other settings.
FIELD EVALUATION 2 " TOO BOLDLY PROBE WHERE NO MAN HAS PROBED BEFORE"
Objective will be to identify and recover 3 shallow good targets using a screwdriver/probe. This FIELD EVALUATION demonstrates the operator’s ability to utilize the coin id, depth, and pin pointing function of their machine. The testing person will follow the tested operator and will be notified when the operator has located a shallow target. Target cannot be visible on the surface, a pin pointer can be used, and the recover must not involve the use of a digging tool, only a screwdriver/probe.
FIELD EVALUATION 3 " GO FOR THE GOLD"
Objective will simulate what most treasure hunters are asked at some point, "Find the lost gold ring". A test area will be marked off and a small gold ring will be pressed into the ground somewhere in the test area. The hunter’s task is to locate and recover the ring. This is the capstone test as it brings all the skills together. Operator must demonstrate a systematic search pattern, be able to differentiate targets, and know when they have found the gold ring.
30 Question matching. "Talk the Talk".
The object is to correctly match a term to its definition. These are terms that have been discussed in monthly training classes.
Self-paced exercise. "Walk the Walk"
Written proof of the hunter requesting and receiving permission to hunt on private property. The form used may be shown to any member of the board, who will notify the training chairman that the requirement has been met. Forms are available on MDTALK.ORG and should be available on the club website. Can be done at any time, not required to be in order.
TRAIN A NEW MEMBER TO PASS THE ADVANCED CERTIFICATION
To complete the Master Certification level, the member must mentor a member thru the Advanced level certification.
A member who passes all the requirements is presented with a certificate and a patch at the next membership meeting.
Master Tests are scheduled for monthly only.