Be avalanche smart
Sledders should invest in hands-on avalanche training this season
by LORI ZACARUK
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BE PREPARED: Knowing what to do in the case of an avalanche could mean the difference between life and death.
—photos courtesy Lori Zacaruk |
I challenge mountain riders to see how many of the following situations ring true for them. Will this be the year that your group finally gets organized? People take avalanche training courses based on a variety of motivations; whatever your motivation is, you will be amazed at the new ideas and skills that you will draw from avalanche training. Here are the top 10 reasons to register for an avalanche course.
10) So my wife/mom will let me go sledding this season
This reason spent many years in the top two! Fortunately, attitudes and awareness are changing and riders are stepping up of their own accord.
9) Job requirement
To ensure due diligence, workers in mountainous terrain—including highways, railways, forestry, mining and military—are required to participate in recurrent avalanche training. (Hmmm . . . companies and the government believe that it is reckless endangerment to send people to the backcountry without training and gear. Maybe I should consider . . .)
8) To have fun
Spend a weekend in the mountains and meet other sledders with a similar mindset. It adds another dimension to sledding once you learn how the weather and temperature play a part in the character of the snowpack—gain a new set of eyes.
7) Learn how to use the safety gear that we bought years ago
This was the number 1 reason a couple of short years ago. Of the 730 riders that we have worked with in field training, less than five had a strategy for multiple beacon searching. Field courses also highlighted faulty equipment that riders were carrying, i.e. beacons that had lost range with age and abuse, poor storage areas for shovels and probes that made it difficult for quick access, or storage areas that led to corrosion and physical wear of the materials.
As well, there are annual upgrades to avalanche safety gear in addition to new tools and training methods to improve rescue efficiencies and teaching methods.
6) Reduce S&R costs
Help other groups as well as your riding buddies. Riders that are aware and prepared with equipment and training are more likely to avoid an incident or reduce the severity of an incident. The tide is turning and many snowmobilers are looking for courses now. We will all benefit from this shift in attitudes.
5) Motivate buddies to save you
Learn your partners' strengths and weaknesses during emergency situations. Rescue scenarios can pre-test your group's ability to get organized, work efficiently and communicate effectively. It is your choice who you ride with; choose assets and not liabilities.
"It was great to get our group together for the training," said Mike Irmen. "When we are riding we are depending on each other for our safety."
The best gift you could give your buddies is an avalanche course or a high-quality shovel or probe. The benefits accrue to you!
4) Can't afford an accident
If you think safety costs money, try recouping from an accident. The financial and emotional toll of a serious injury or fatality can be crippling to your family and friends.
3) Info is power
Get the most (value) out of the decision-making and rescue tools and info. Remember, tools are only as useful as the operator is competent. Learn where to get credible, current information and how to use it to start making decisions rather than riding blindly. Books, workshops and videos are available. Check out this free online course developed by the Canadian Avalanche Centre:: http://access.jibc.bc.ca/avalancheFirstResponse/index.htm
2) Better your odds
Getting caught in an avalanche is by choice. When we choose to travel in avalanche terrain, we can reduce our risks by avoiding highprobability trigger areas and eliminating our exposure to terrain traps. Learn to identify dangerous terrain and manage your group with proper mountain travel habits. Keep learning and refining your knowledge.
"Thanks Lori and Randy, this course was awesome," said Mark Stevens of Salmon Arm. "Before taking it our group considered ourselves more knowledgeable than 90 per cent of sledders, and we probably were. After taking it we realized how very little we knew, and that even now the (two-day) course was really just a first step."
1) So you never end up saying, "if only we had . . ."
To follow up on these ideas or for more info, check out our new website at www.zacstracs.com. You will find links to Canadian and international avalanche-related websites. |
