KEEP TALKING!

[jbsleds]

We all need to keep talking about avalanche safety with those we know and care about. Sometimes people need to hear things in different ways and from different people before they really get it.

Here’s what I mean: I was talking to a snowmobiler from one of the flat states on the phone the other day. He told me that they were coming out west to ride in the mountains in a few days. I told him that it had been snowing heavily in the region recently and the avalanche danger could be high.

The first thing he said concerned me a little. He told me that he wasn’t worried because he always wore a beacon. Okay, I thought, beacons are good. He can help with a search and at least they’ll be able to find him if he gets buried. Hopefully, he or whoever they search for will still be alive when found.

The second thing he said got me a little more concerned. He told me he knew about avalanches because he had triggered a number of them over the years. Lucky man, I thought, I hope his luck holds out.

The third thing he said made me even more concerned. He talked about how they were bringing a new snowmobiler out with them and how they were going to lead this newbie into the mountains.

Now, maybe it’s just me. Maybe that scenario isn’t as scary as I imagine. But from my point of view, it’s another incident just waiting to happen.

I hadn’t intended to say anything about this. But after the deaths in Canada and Colorado I changed my mind.

It is so very clear that we need to keep talking about avalanche safety with those we know and care about.

Even if they’ve already heard it.

Even if they think they know it all.

 

[snoboy]

Hopefully he knows that 1/3rd of ALL avalanche victoms die in the avalanche.. period. Of the 2/3rds that live most were not found by a beacon search but by a visual clue of something exposed ie. hat, glove, pack, jacket, helmet. Wish this guy some luck and REALLY wish his newbie friend some luck.
I agree with you that we need continue to bang the avalanche awareness drum until it's part of the snowmobile community's way of thinking in the mountains.


snoboy

 

[EagleRiverDee]

Good points.

While I recognize that a beacon can be a lifesaving device and would not ride without one, I also recognize that all too often it's used for body recovery. Perhaps if we have enough of these discussions with folks, it will eventually wake them up to the fact that it could happen to them.

Thanks for the post.

 

[backcountryislife]

I think it's better to just wait till riders get buried, then send hopes & prayers. That's a way better plan. No matter what you do, just don't offend anyone, or talk negatively about other sledders, cause THAT is wrong.


Sorry for the bitter sarcasm, I'm just sick of the pitiful attitudes of so many people on here when it comes to this stuff, nobody has the balls to say what actually happened and admit that we ALL could do better.

 

[jbsleds]

if we have enough of these discussions with folks, it will eventually wake them up to the fact that it could happen to them.

Absolutely. I've also started talking to wives and other family members about avalanche training and avoidance too. They're the ones who will be left behind when their husband/son/brother gets himself buried. Maybe they can get through.

 

[CatWoman]

False sense of security having triggered avy's and had no real consequences from it. Those people sooner or later wind up with a consequence of some sort. The avy experts will tell you that. That's a dangerous type to be out with....had a very seasoned instructor/expert warn us of this in a Level I class. He actually warned us against going out with people who've triggered/been involved in several avalanches....unless we wanted to die.

Yes, WE do NEED to keep talking/preaching or whatever you want to call it. Talking to the other family members is great! We can't stop...it takes ALL of us to help educate our own. We also need to educate the kids. They are sponges, and will soak up the knowledge. They will also then get after their parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/etc to get educated.

 

[James T Kirk]

Good points.

While I recognize that a beacon can be a lifesaving device and would not ride without one, I also recognize that all too often it's used for body recovery. Perhaps if we have enough of these discussions with folks, it will eventually wake them up to the fact that it could happen to them.

Thanks for the post.

A beacon is only a useful rescue device if the potential rescurers are watching the potential victim from a safe zone that allows them to see the potential slide path and get to the potential burial zone quickly. Part of knowing how to use a beacon correctly is knowing where to position yourself so that you can react if your buddy triggers a slide. It is disturbing how few users actually take this into account when riding.

 

[jbsleds]

That's good info

False sense of security having triggered avy's and had no real consequences from it. Those people sooner or later wind up with a consequence of some sort. The avy experts will tell you that. That's a dangerous type to be out with....had a very seasoned instructor/expert warn us of this in a Level I class. He actually warned us against going out with people who've triggered/been involved in several avalanches....unless we wanted to die.

I hadn't thought about that, but I can see the connection. I'll add it to the list of things I talk about w/ other snowmobilers.