Old 4M Thread - AVALANCHE!! When It happens.........

[Idaho Slim]

Saving from old forum............

Initial AVALANCHE Protocol ............ If one happens and you are a spectator ;

#1 ! - Ensure your own safety first. If you are out of the way........

#2 - Watch the victim in the actual avalanche to see where he is last seen to start the search BELOW ! that point, MUST HAVE THIS!!!!

#3 - EVERYONE turn your Beacons to search so there will be no mixed signals!!

#4 - Turn off all cell phones & 2 - way radios within the Search area.

#5 - Someone take the lead On trying to contact RESCUE. Cellphone, radios etc. Away from the search area.

#6 - Everyone else, RACE, RUN, RIDE or whatever it takes.... to get to the point closest to where last seen. Take Shovels, Probes and Rescue Equipment

#7 - Fan out and Begin the Search downhill.


We all talk about them, gear to have, what to NOT doo, what to watch for, But I have never seen someone actually write what your initial actions should be if you are a spectator and see one happen ..........

If I have missed anything, Feel Free to chime in.

PLEASE People................ Be Safe!!

 

[Idaho Slim]

Originally postedby Fab1

Turn off your Cell phones and GPS units as well (they can I believe to be true) give signal interference.

 

[Idaho Slim]

Posted by Idaho Slim

I used to have the Life Link hard plastic shovels, i have changed to the Metal faces, since avy scree is VERY hard. On my sled is my main shovel (Lets not argue where again) and In my pack i have a metal shovel face, its actually a metal dust pan, works great for frantic digging if seperated from my sled.

And Yes, practice is AWESOME !!! We learned alot a few years ago in Revy when TEAM TALK watched H2OToyz cut a big slide off, and we simulated multiple burials of beacons etc, was UNCALCULATABLE knowledge learned.

 

[Idaho Slim]

Top

 

[BossRev]

Good stuff to remember slim.

I know in Utah there is a few more Beacon training areas poping up.
Take the time to learn how to use your beacons. Don't just rely on the
fact that you are wearing a beacon and you will be saved, but take the time to learn to save others.

"Perfect Practice make Perfect"

 

[PassRev]

This is a good thread to bring back to the top.

Two things I would add.

1) Confirm everyone is in receive mode. I have been to several on hill exercises where someone thought they had switched their beacon to receive, however were still in send.

2) Keep an eye out above, or if enough people are present, have a person spot from a safe location. Just because there was one slide in that location, doesn't mean there can't be another.

Consider trying this as a timed drill with friends. While this seems straight forward, when it comes time to do this under pressure, there are any number of things that can come up to through you off. Practicing by doing drills helps to expose variables that are better to know in advance.

 

[Idaho Slim]

Sad, this thread was 4 pages back.

to the top......................

 

[Turtlehead]

TTT For ya

 

[sixpointbull]

Good info-
Really got a lot out of the shoveling 101 @ BCA's site too(thanks CatWoman).

Also, I thought I read there is a "beacon basin" @ Togwotee this year.

 

[matt22]

Remember this Slim

When we were drilling in Revy on Brocks slide, we all constantly communicated what are beacons were reading while in search mode with raised voices and it realy helped narrown the search down fast. I believe it was 1 minitute 30ish seconds.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

make a sticker with this on it and stick it to your shovel

Someone should make a quick refrence sticker we can all glue to our shovels


cause when the chit hits the fan clear thinking is toast


my peips beacon has a nice guide on it with simple pictures

 

[Icedog]

ttt for ya.