I got lucky (Avy)

[SAWYER]

Thanks for the info, glad your ok

 

[snwmksmehrny]

Glad to hear that you came out ok. Thanks for sharing this for everyone to see.

 

[byoshovel]

Great posts, glad everyone is ok. I just recieved my three avy beacons in the mail today. 1 for me & 1 for my two riding buddies that way they can bail my a$$ out if need be and me for them. Could not imagine telling their wives that an avy got them and we were to cheap or stupid to have a beacon. My two kids wouldn't like it much to find out dad wasn't coming home either. Even if none of us ever need to use the beacons they will be worth every penny. Lets hope people use posts like this to reflect a little.

 

[GunniApexRider]

I'm happy you made it out too. Thanks for posting.

I haven't taken an avy class yet (don't black ball me), but I have a question. Wouldn't you want to stay as far as you can away from your sled? With all the rolling and caios going on, there's a good chance the sled could hurt you more. Comments?

as cat said there are mixed feelings. the av guy in our area said to hold on the the sled for all your worth.
An avalanche is a particulate flow witht the lightest of objects on the bottom. if you can hold on to your sled without being beat to death chances that you might end up closer to the top or on top are better than not.

 

[nwbase]

I have thought about posting/not posting this for a couple of days now, and think that maybe someone else can learn form this as well as I did. While out riding last week I got caught in a avalanche and was buried, now grant it, this was not the biggest and baldest slide but it was enough for me to learn a few things. I along with most of my riding group had just taken a avalanche safety class in Dec. witch was very useful. We had just drop in to a little play area and we having a good time just playing around , as I climb back up the ridge about 200 yards for where we drop in I went to turn out and the whole sled slide out from under me at the time I did not know the hill was sliding . I tried to catch the sled as it was rolling down the hill in front of me but I could not catch it as the snow was now coming over my back, I was trying to keep kicking my legs and moving my arms as much as I could as I was going down and did not even think of pulling the cord on my new abs pack until it was to late. I was coming to a stop and thought everything was good but I could not move at all with about 2ft. of snow on top of me. I was able to make room in front of my helmet to breath but as I did that I opened up a new problem. The sled was still running at about 5000rpm and all that exaust was filling up my only fresh air. Thankfully the riders I was with were watching the whole thing and were there to get me out. Thanks to everyone that help get me out.

1.The thing I learned from this is everyone should take some kind of avy class.
2. Pulling the rip cord on a abs pack must be a instinct and not a thought.
3. Having a tether switch on your sled could be a life saver (I know that I will have one on before I ride again)
Sorry if this was a little long and I know there are a lot of things missing ,if you have any other questions I will be happy to answer them.
thanks

Thanks for the story I think we can all learn from this. If I could offer any advise it would be this: Wear your pack @ home and do MULTIPLE "practice rip cord pulls" I do not mean to actually pull the handle when it is charged, but insert it in the velcro so it is in place and get VERY familiar with where it is and how to get it out fast.

I teach Skydiving and have all my students do PRCP'S at home in front of the mirror every morning for a total of ten each day. You can also advance your skills by jumping on a trampoline and doing the same drill. The tramploine will add unstability to your body position that you may experience in an avalanche. I like the saying" if you don't get your handle you don't get to try again next time"

It may feel a little dorky but seriously, get your riding gear on and go over the mentall and physicall aspect multiple times on multiple occasions. You should be able to get the handle while blindfolded and being spun in circles until you are dizzy.

B

 

[carguy]

Thanks for posting. Glad your still here to offer your experience and provide insight. I have a tether, don't use it as much as I should, want an abs pack but have been concerned that I may not deploy it at the crucial moment necessary....also thanks to nwbase for advice.

 

[gusto]

Nice, it is good to hear about an Avy, and there is a good side to the story ...

 

[TS Drag Racer]

Great info, thanks for sharing..........

 

[colorado yamaha]

I was a little lucky also ... this was Friday. Buddy made 2 runs and on my first run of the day, it broke just after I turned out. My buddy gave the signal it let go - I looked back and saw it coming and out ran it. It wasn't very big but it still gets your attention.

When you think or know the conditions are high, we climb differently using an overwatch system, keeping 1 sled well out of the way and hand signals for when you come down. Good post/info. D

 

[montanasledder]

Glad you allright, never before thought about the sled continuing to run and taking away what oxygen you have.

thanks for the story, be safe everyone