AA's BACKCOUNTRY HAZARD ASSESSMENT

[Duke]

BACKCOUNTRY HAZARD ASSESSMENT
1) No riding without two way radios and either a Spot or Sat phone.
2) Must have Digital beacon/probe/shovel/radio at minimum. (ON YOUR BODY, NOT YOUR SLED)
3) Beacon checks daily. Check batteries. (TEST AVYPACKS YEARLY AT MINIMUM)
4) Ride at the comfort level of the least confident person, if someone is unsure of terrain, we stop to discuss and assess. Dont be scared to speak up.
5) Everyone in group must read the Avalanche report in full prior to heading out.
6) Check snow conditions once/day or for every riding area/weekend.
7) Carry enough safety gear for yourself to make it through at least one night.
8) Only one sled on the hill at a time.
9) If other groups in area creating a hazard, we leave the area immediately.
10) Everyone in group must have AST1 training.
11) Try to maintain a certified First Aid/Emergency CPR ticket.
12) Do not leave sight of the group, always have someone watch you when climbing/riding etc.
13) Always park in a safe zone away from the run out if an avalanche were to occur.
14) Avoid travelling or parking in terrain traps no matter how big or small the hill.
15) When someone is riding/climbing on slopes, all others are off the hill parked in safe area.
16) When travelling through Avalanche terrain stop prior and assess. Travel one at a time to a safe area, using radios if needed around blind spots.
Determine how to minimize the exposure for the group throughout the day.
17) Always let someone know where your group is going for the day.
18) Practice rescues
19) Tell your family you love them.

I'm no expert, please comment or add your thoughts, for my own personal use, thx
AA<!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->

 

[snowww1]

#18 needs a bit of work. There are much better techniques to perform an effective rescue. I will post more information on rescue techniques when time allows.

I would suggest that readers take an avalanche class and a field session. Rescue techniques cannot be explained in a couple of sentances. A classroom session and extensive hands-on experience are critical in learning these skills. Mike Duffy

 

[Duke]

#18 needs a bit of work. There are much better techniques to perform an effective rescue. I will post more information on rescue techniques when time allows.

I would suggest that readers take an avalanche class and a field session. Rescue techniques cannot be explained in a couple of sentances. A classroom session and extensive hands-on experience are critical in learning these skills. Mike Duffy

Please do Mike, thx.

 

[EricW]

As the group is leaving the parking lot I always sit at the trail head with my becon on search/recieve and verify that each rider has his beacon on (transmit) as he rides by. There are lots of times I can pick a rider who forgot to turn his on. I sometimes do this as we meet up with new groups or at lunch, especially in new areas where new folks offer to show you around. Amazing how many riders in popular areas don't have a beacon, I want to know this if i am going to join in with that group so I can always make the decision not to if they are unprepared / untrained.

I also do it again back at the trailer before we leave just to save someone a set of batteries. I also carry lots of batteries in my truck and 2 sets in my pack. Some how they are always gone by the end of the year. Great list. Thanks for posting. EW

 

[Duke]

Something I am bad for forgetting is the zipper for my Snowpulse rip cord, I dont zip it shut anymore because I always forget to unzip it until I get to the cabin.

 

[snowww1]

Here's some info on how to perform a rescue. When I teach I use this in conjunction with photos and dvd. This info is given with substantial explanation. What really matters in rescue is taking a classroom session and then taking a hands-on field session. Hope this helps.
Remember that these are guidelines and that each avalanche is a unique situation. One of the keys to rescue is improvising and using the resources that you have available.

Avalanche Rescue-Hasty Search
(when buried person has a beacon)
It’s not just looking for a beacon.

All hope of live rescue depends on the people in your group. This is where training and practice really make a difference. If you are properly trained it increases the survival rate significantly (70% by one study). This is not the time to teach someone how to use a beacon or try to learn how to use your beacon.

-Watch the victim as they are carried down the slope. Count heads as soon as the avalanche stops.
-Stay on site and search. All hope of live rescue depends on you. Only 30% chance of survival after 35 minutes. Remember you must consider how long it would take to get help and for help to return.
-Before entering the search area, make sure there is no further avalanche danger, pick a quick escape route, and someone must take charge and direct the rescue effort.
-Turn off snowmobiles, they may interfere with beacon signals.
-If there are enough people in your party, delegate an avalanche guard (to warn of other avalanches and other people entering from above who may set off an avalanche).
-Switch all avalanche beacons to search. Check to see if the beacons are switched over.
-Analyze the avalanche. Where was the last seen point? Where are the deepest areas of deposition and the most likely burial locations? Are there any visual clues?
-Remember that you need to look for clues, some searchers will need to focus on clues and their beacons. Do not have all people searching just looking at their beacons. They tend to get tunnel vision and miss clues. Clues are very important and are a quicker way to find someone.
-Mark last seen area and tracks in.
-Keep shovels, probes and packs with you.
-Leave extra equipment outside of search area.
-Look for clues from the last seen area down (gloves, helmet, boot, ski). Kick at the surface of the snow to reveal clues. Probe all clues. Mark clues or leave in place. Perform a quick 360 degree search at the toe of the avalanche.
-Maintain silence, listen for shouting.

Without beacons:
-Probe most likely burial spots (areas of greatest deposition, depressions, rocks, trees).
-After thoroughly probing all likely burial spots, You will want to start a course probe line (30” between probes and step ahead 24” at a time) from the bottom of the avalanche to the last seen area.

Remember:
-If there are multiple victims and you find one victim, turn their beacon to receive. Keep looking for the others.
-Search until you cannot or should not continue. Do not jeopardize your own safety. Stop when there is danger of hypothermia, when weather conditions dictate, or if there is threat of another avalanche.
-When you go out for help, flag or mark the area and the way in.
-Call 911.
Mike Duffy www.avalanche1.com