J
jbsleds
Well-known member
I got almost no feedback to my “Levels of Ignorance” article. That tells me pretty clearly that it didn’t really do much for you. That’s okay. I’ll keep trying.
“Levels of Ignorance” was a negative motivation approach. It said, “you don’t want to be that guy”. While I still think it has some value as a catchy slide in a power point presentation on avy safety, it probably won’t do what I hoped it would.
So, now what?
Like all of you, every time I read an avalanche incident report I realize how important it is to get more snowmobilers to attend training.
Somehow, we need to make getting avalanche training a fundamental part of the snowmobiling culture. We need to look for a way to make snowmobilers want avy training as much as they want to learn how to sidehill.
I’m not a backcountry riding expert. And most of you know a whole lot more about avalanches then I do. I’m just trying to add my two cents to the discussion in the hopes that we might save some lives.
The way to get people to do almost anything is to create a way for them to get positive recognition from the folks who are important to them. As snowmobilers, we want recognition from other snowmobilers.
Until we make having avalanche training a “badge of honor” among snowmobilers, something snowmobilers are proud to have, we’re going to have limited success.
Currently, some (many?) snowmobilers think that attending avy training is not cool. There’s an, “I don’t need that s**t” attitude among them. We need to change that.
How do we make having avy training as cool as being able to hold a sidehill across a long steep slope, lead a group of riders through a thick patch of trees in deep powder, or swap out a complete engine at the bottom of a deep canyon after the first one blew up?
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
1. Whenever we talk about other riders, we honor them for their training and knowledge about avalanches. For example, “Did you know that A.J. has over 60 hours of avy training?” or “Ben just finished reading ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ and he told me . . .”, etc.
2. Create a “levels of certification” system that is available for all snowmobilers to attend easily and at a reasonable price. I’m sure those private courses are very good, but most of us don’t have the time or money to attend them. So we’re going to have to work with our local or state agencies to do this. For example, Level 1 is a 6-8 hour classroom session on the basics. Level 2 is a 6-8 hour field session on the basics. Level 3 is a classroom & field session on more advanced info. Level 4 focuses on leadership in a rescue situation. Etc, etc.
3. Award certificates of completion, patches to be worn on clothing, decals for sleds and cars, etc. to those who complete each level of training. These should have good looking graphics and be something we’re proud to display.
4. Show respect for snowmobilers who have progressed up the “levels” system. “Carter and Logan earned their Level 1 last weekend.” “Curt and Britney just finished Level 2.” “Remember Scott & Christine? They made Level 3”. “ I saw John & Sheila last weekend, they’re both Level 4 now.” Etc., etc.
5. Take photos of each “graduating class” and post them on websites, in dealerships, etc.
6. Clubs give recognition to members who complete the levels, list their names in newsletters, etc.
7. Create a forum at snowest to post names of those who get training and their levels.
So, those are my thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to read them.
“Levels of Ignorance” was a negative motivation approach. It said, “you don’t want to be that guy”. While I still think it has some value as a catchy slide in a power point presentation on avy safety, it probably won’t do what I hoped it would.
So, now what?
Like all of you, every time I read an avalanche incident report I realize how important it is to get more snowmobilers to attend training.
Somehow, we need to make getting avalanche training a fundamental part of the snowmobiling culture. We need to look for a way to make snowmobilers want avy training as much as they want to learn how to sidehill.
I’m not a backcountry riding expert. And most of you know a whole lot more about avalanches then I do. I’m just trying to add my two cents to the discussion in the hopes that we might save some lives.
The way to get people to do almost anything is to create a way for them to get positive recognition from the folks who are important to them. As snowmobilers, we want recognition from other snowmobilers.
Until we make having avalanche training a “badge of honor” among snowmobilers, something snowmobilers are proud to have, we’re going to have limited success.
Currently, some (many?) snowmobilers think that attending avy training is not cool. There’s an, “I don’t need that s**t” attitude among them. We need to change that.
How do we make having avy training as cool as being able to hold a sidehill across a long steep slope, lead a group of riders through a thick patch of trees in deep powder, or swap out a complete engine at the bottom of a deep canyon after the first one blew up?
Here are some ideas for you to consider:
1. Whenever we talk about other riders, we honor them for their training and knowledge about avalanches. For example, “Did you know that A.J. has over 60 hours of avy training?” or “Ben just finished reading ‘Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain’ and he told me . . .”, etc.
2. Create a “levels of certification” system that is available for all snowmobilers to attend easily and at a reasonable price. I’m sure those private courses are very good, but most of us don’t have the time or money to attend them. So we’re going to have to work with our local or state agencies to do this. For example, Level 1 is a 6-8 hour classroom session on the basics. Level 2 is a 6-8 hour field session on the basics. Level 3 is a classroom & field session on more advanced info. Level 4 focuses on leadership in a rescue situation. Etc, etc.
3. Award certificates of completion, patches to be worn on clothing, decals for sleds and cars, etc. to those who complete each level of training. These should have good looking graphics and be something we’re proud to display.
4. Show respect for snowmobilers who have progressed up the “levels” system. “Carter and Logan earned their Level 1 last weekend.” “Curt and Britney just finished Level 2.” “Remember Scott & Christine? They made Level 3”. “ I saw John & Sheila last weekend, they’re both Level 4 now.” Etc., etc.
5. Take photos of each “graduating class” and post them on websites, in dealerships, etc.
6. Clubs give recognition to members who complete the levels, list their names in newsletters, etc.
7. Create a forum at snowest to post names of those who get training and their levels.
So, those are my thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to read them.
Heck, the hubby and I even hide our beacons around the house...outside and in. Inside is rather interesting as you can put into a cabinet, closet, shoe, etc. The signal travels through the walls (which could be looked at as trees outdoors), so it makes for some great practice...and learning to trust your beacon.
That's a huge thing, and it had to show them just how much you care for them! I'm sure that had to really make them think about just how important all of this is.
