I do a significant amount of research on snowmobile avalanche fatalities. Here's some quick facts;
-Approximately 80% of all avalanche fatalities in the U.S. last year occurred on high danger days. Riders aren't checking the avalanche report, aren't altering their riding according to the danger or aren't recognizing the instability.
-67% of the snowmobile avalanche fatalities in the U.S. last year were a direct result of the searchers not being proficient with beacons, buried person not having a beacon or the searcher not having a beacon.
-44% of the rescues were unsuccessful due to not being proficient with beacons. This is where the avalanche training really pays off.
-In 56% of the snowmobile fatalities, multiple riders were caught or in the runout and had to move. This is a common mistake with riders and is resulting in fatalities.
Years ago, not many snowmobilers were getting caught in avalanches since the machines couldn't access many of the avalanche prone areas. New machines have increased the exposure to avalanches and more riders are getting caught.
It's not common sense for many people on how to pull off an effective rescue, analyze stability in the snowpack, determine islands of safety or how to prevent accidents. If this was true, riders wouldn't be repeating the same mistakes every year. This is where an instructors experience, research and training can be passed on. I'm a big fan of education, it saves a lot of time, instead of learning by trial and error. If you use trial and error in avalanche terrain, it can cost a life. Not worth it in my opinion. Classes start at $40 in most areas, funeral is about $9000. Most victims perceived knowledge is much greater than their actual knowledge.
I agree that a class is not a replacement for real world experience. The best combination is classes, on snow training, practicing skills and spending time in the mountains.
Many riders are just wearing beacons and have not spent the time to become proficient with the beacons. The average person only practices 1 hour a year with their beacon.
Talk to anyone who has taken a class and they think it's very worthwhile. There's a reason snowmobilers in the US have not been number one for avalanche fatalities for the last couple of years. More are buying the gear, getting the training and pulling off some very impressive rescues after the training. We have increased our exposure to avalanches and many are now increasing their training to increase their odds. The people who are taking the classes are the serious riders. I have taught pro riders, guides, racers, test riders and many riders who appear in movies. They realize the training works.
Are all avalanche accidents preventable? Yes, if you stay out of the mountains, but that's not why we buy 800 mtn sleds. 90% of the fatalities are due to you or someone in your group triggering an avalanche that kills someone in your group. By learning some rescue techniques, terrain and stability analysis, and group dynamic skills, you can increase your odds tremendously. That's why snowmobilers are taking classes and sled manufacturers are supporting education and better avalanche gear, it's also why snowmobile avalanche fatalities are decreasing.
My goal is to decrease avalanche accidents and fatalities among snowmobilers. It's sad to see fatalities that could have been prevented with some avalanche training.
I will not ride with people who do not have the training, carry the right gear and know how to use it.
The point of this thread was to increase awareness to the fact that avalanche education requirements for guides differ tremendously from area to area. I have been contacted by many riders who found out the hard way that their guide didn't have the skills they thought they did. Point is that there are no industry standards for guide services and you should ask what training your guide has. Canada has stricter standards than the US for guiding. If I got buried, I want the best trained people searching for me.
Some people value education and training, others do not. Some are disciplined enough to train, practice and learn on their own. In anything, I prefer to learn from those who have more experience than I do since it makes for a steeper learning curve.
I also prefer to ride with those who value training and education.
Mike Duffy
