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Avalanche Safety
- Each year many people are killed in avalanches (see list of North
American accidents).
- Most fatal avalanches are triggered by the people caught in them.
- Weak layers of snow buried by subsequent snowfall cause a large majority
of fatal avalanches.
- About 25% of avalanche fatalities are caused by the impact of the
avalanche.
- After an avalanche stops, the snow usually sets as hard as concrete
making it impossible for victims to move or clear a breathing space.
- Victims buried for more than 15 minutes have less than a 50% survival
rate, so it is important that everyone in the group be properly equipped
and well-versed in rescue procedures.
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Photo courtesy of Arcteryx |
Avalanche Safety
Guidelines
Before skiing in the backcountry of mountainous areas follow
the following basic guidelines:
- Take an avalanche safety course given by a reputable instructor to
learn how to avoid being caught in an avalanche and what to do if one
occurs.
- Find out if there are any avalanche-prone areas where you are planning
to ski by checking with the nearest ranger station or backcountry ski
store and referring to maps and guidebooks.
- If there are a possibility of avalanches occurring where you are
going, consult the region's avalanche advisory and get the latest weather
forecast. Even if the avalanche rating is low there may be areas where
blowing snow or other factors create a higher risk.
- If there is a possibility of avalanches, consider postponing your
trip or going to safer area. Never let the thrill of the sport outweigh
the possible danger.
- Consider hiring a professional guide that knows the area or joining
a guided tour with an experienced leader. Association of Canadian Mountain
Guides, American Mountain Guides Association or Mountain Guides International
should certify mountain guides.
- Don't go into avalanche terrain without proper training and equipment.
It is vitally important that each person in the group carries avalanche
rescue equipment and knows how to use it.
- Think for yourself when skiing with a group without an experienced
leader. Don't fall into the sheep mentality and follow the others blindly
without evaluating the risk.
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Avalanche Safety Courses
Courses should be at least two days in length and cover
route finding, stability evaluation, hazard recognition,
avalanche
zone
crossing
techniques and avalanche
rescue procedures. Courses should include a field
trip for practicing the application of the course material.
- Canada
Introductory and advanced courses are given by Alpine
Club of Canada and by over 50 other avalanche course
instructors.
The Canadian Avalanche Association gives courses
for industry professionals.
- USA
- American Avalanche Institute offers courses for recreational
BC Travelers and professionals. www.avalanchecourse.com
- Westwide Avalanche Network has a list of course
providers www.avalanche.org/aviedu2.htm
- The American Avalanche Association (AAA) is comprised
of a collective group of dedicated professionals
engaged in
the
study,
forecasting,
control and
mitigation
of snow avalanches. Association membership includes
qualified researchers, professional avalanche
forecasters, snow
safety officers, snow
rangers and qualified ski patrollers,
www.americanavalancheassociation.org
Avalanche Links
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