Advertisement
Avalanche Awareness
Travel with considerate partners:
• Cross potentially dangerous terrain one at a time.
• Identify and practice stopping in safe zones.
• Have an escape route in mind if the slope does avalanche.
• Communicate with your partners before moving on to the slope.
When traveling in a group, be aware of the errors groups
typically make:
• Recreating at an area that's been visited without incident before
and feeling confident in its stability.
• Not speaking out or communicating concerns about a path
or slope, fearing conflict.
• Being overconfident in the groups' abilities.
• Determination to reach a destination without re-evaluating terrain
and conditions.
If in doubt, it is always best to avoid questionable terrain and return
when the snow is stable.
If you are caught in an avalanche:
• Yell "avalanche" and wave your arms to alert your group.
• Deploy your avalanche airbag if you have one.
• Try to escape the slide by grabbing trees or rocks or "swimming"
to the side.
• Try to keep your airway clear of snow.
• When you feel the slide slowing, thrust a hand upward in hopes of it
being seen.
• Place your other hand in front of your face to increase the air space.
• Remain calm, breathe slowly and conserve your air.
Searching for victims:
• Do not go for help! You are the victim's only chance of survival!
• Establish a last seen point.
• Confirm you are not in danger of a second avalanche occurring.
• Look for visual clues to the victim's location.
• Begin your signal search for the victim using your avalanche
transceiver.
10
Advertisement
