We need to talk about what more we can do to educate those who are not "die hards" and don't learn on here. I think the Utah Avy center is doing a great job getting this on the news, papers etc but some people just don't seem to get it. I mean no disrespect to those who have been in slides recently and especially not to the deceased but all these accidents are so preventable it is silly. How do we get the word out more. This effects our sport and all of us. Kudos to those on here who are really staying smart. I saw more slides at Tony's monday than I have in my whole life combined. I hate to be the guy who tells others their business but if you see people in bad spots tell them.
This is a very tough one. I've been trying for a very long time to educate as much as possible. There is no easy answer, as much as I wish there were.
Do you have warming huts/cabins? I would imagine so, and though not everyone goes to them, these are a great place to leave avy info. Have some laminated stuff on the walls, and leave avy brochures for peeps to look at and take. I even carry them in my backpack, so I can hand them out to peeps at various areas we may see others. Stop and visit, ask peeps if they have the gear (beacon, shovel, probe).....if they've taken a class recently, have they been checking the avy reports. Let them know where they can find info on upcoming classes, or how to access avy reports/info. You can do this easily in friendly conversation, and it can be done tactfully.
Is there any signage/bulletin board at the trailheads? Also a good area to put up some avy info.
Talk to others you ride with and ask them to also help educate (there are times when peeps from your group ride with others/talk with others). We ALL can help a lot by getting the info out........word of mouth, and just keep after it.
Talk with your local avy center. Ask if there is something you can do to help out. Snowmobilers seem to be a tougher crowd to reach. It helps having other snowmobilers involved, and pushing for our own to get educated. I am on the Board of Directors of our local center (for 3 years now). Until I joined, they had no snowmobiler involvement. Though the education is good for all winter users of the backcountry, sledders will at times turn their noses because it isn't specific to their user group.
We need to educate our kids. As parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc. Also, it is good to get some education into the schools......before the kids develop the No fear/I know it all attitude.
These are just a few of the things I've tried, along with our avy center, to spread the message. Ride safe, ride smart, and live to ride another day.
No disrespect meant to anyone by this post......just trying to help.
