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Avalanche SafetySkills and equipment for safe travel in avalanche areasEquipment all group members must carryTo travel safely in avalanche areas there is special equipment the needs to be used. This equipment will help you evaluate safe routes and perform rescues if a slide should occur. All members of your group need to carry the following.
How do you know you are in avalanche terrain?Signs to look for when in avalanche terrain
How to travel safely in avalanche areasWhen planning a safe route through avalanche terrain it is important the all members of the group be involved with route planning. The more experienced members should relay what effects the current conditions and the group should decide together which route to take. Sometimes a group will have to ski across a slope that is suspect. Only one member of the group should cross at a time. This will minimize the risk to the group plus it will allow more group members to be involved in a rescue if a slide should occur. Have a designated safe stop area where group members can ski to after crossing the slope. The angle of the slope can be a good indicator of the stability. Slopes less then 25º are unlikely to slide and can be considered a safer choice then a slop over 30º. As wind passes over a slope (windward slope) it picks up snow and deposits it onto the opposite side of the ridge (leeward slope). This wind deposited snow is often unstable and should be avoided when possible. Choosing a route up a windward slope will usually be safer. If you see recent avalanche activity on a slope with similar characteristics to the one you plan on skiing it is likely that avalanches are occurring. It is best to avoid this slope until it stabilizes. What triggers an avalanche to start?Avalanches are either triggered by natural conditions such as changes in weather, snow loading or other conditions that naturally occur. Most avalanches are triggered naturally. Alternatively human triggered avalanches are responsible for most people being buried. The weight of a skier, snow boarder or snowmobiler can cause a failure between the layers of snow and result in an avalanche. What do you do if you are caught in an avalanche?If you see an avalanche approaching from above try to ski out to the side of the slope and avoid the slide. Ski down and to one side as quickly as possible. Never try to out run a large avalanche. If the unthinkable happens and you are caught in a slide try to remove you pack and skis and get rid of your poles. All these can serve as anchors and actually hinder your chance of survival. Move your arms and legs as you would treading water. This will work the same way in snow and actually keep you near the top of the flow. As you feel the snow start to slow down start to struggle for the surface. Make one last push to get any part of your body above the surface of the snow as you feel the snow stop. Even a glove above the surface of the snow will dramatically speed up rescue. Avalanches are deadly and failure to respect the areas you venture into can literally cost you your life. Even the most experienced guide can only evaluate the snow pack They can never say definitively whether or not an avalanche will occur. Plan your routes carefully, carry all safety equipment and know how to use it, travel with more experienced people and learn, learn, learn. |
