Personal Safety

Back-country exploring in avalanche areas require several precautionary measures. It is essential that all persons in the party understand the dangers and methods of avalanche rescue. If a member of the party falls victim to an avalanche it is the parties responsibility to rescue the victim since there is little time to go for help. The chances for survival once buried decrease rapidly with time. Data from 82 avalanche rescues in the USA show that there is an 80% chance of survival if removed within an hour, but this quickly falls off to less than a 10% chance if removed after 3-4 hours. It is essential to carry the proper gear and be aware of avalanche rescue techniques.

Saftey techniques start with choosing the proper route, weather conditions to travel in, and knowing when the risk is too great and the party must turn back.

Avalanches kill people in many ways but the most common cause of death is suffocation. There is little air trapped in the avalanche and within a short period of time the victim loses consciousness and dies. A victim can also be killed from the force of the snow slamming into the body or by traveling in the avalanche and being smashed against trees and other objects.

Decision making depends on the snowpack stability, local weather, and avalanche history of the area in question. It is important to look into all aspects of these factors prior to entering avalanche country. Close contact with the local weather stations, ski resorts, and rescue teams make this information readily available.

It is not possible to set forth a standard set of rules for choosing a safe and efficient route because avalanche conditions vary so much. Fortunately, the most efficient routes are usually the safest routes. For example, it is most efficient to travel on windblown flat slopes, such as low-angle windward slopes, than on the lee slopes where there is an increased danger. Avoidence of loose snow-covered steep slopes is always a good idea. But, if this is the only means for forward movement then the party must proceed by traversing the snowfield one at a time linked to one another by rope. If an avalanche were to occur then the entire party would not be buried and rescue could be successful.

Below is a list of avalanche rescue items that should be carried by the party:

  1. Mountaineering rope: Used for crossing snowfields, desending steep slopes and locating victims when an avalanche has occurred.
  2. Avalanche probe: Collapsible avalanche probes that fit in small packs can mean the difference between life and death of a victim. They are used to probe the avalanche surface to find the victim below. They are usually 8 foot long with a retractable tip that will not harm the victim. There are certain techniques to use to enable the fastest possible find of the victim. If an avalanche probe is unaccesible a ski pole will work, but is limiting due to it's length and stiffness.
  3. Shovels: Small folding shovels can easily be carried to aid in removal of the victim. Often the snow, after an avalanche, is densely packed and difficult to move with a person's hands.
  4. Electronic transceiver: This device can transmit and receive a signal indicating where the victim is. It is the most effective saftey device because it enables the victim to be found in the least amount of time.
  5. Avalanche cord: An avalanche cord is a fine brightly colored nylon cord that is attached to one's body and dragging free. It is most effective if the free end has a helium-filled balloon attached to it.
    6. Life Saving Techniques
An avalanche victim has a greater chance of being located and surving if some basic techniques are known and utilized, they are listed below:
  1. Swimming: When caught within moving snow if the victim discards all items in their hands and begins swimming they are more likely to stay near the surface of the moving snow. The swimming motion should be relaxed and repetitive and not jerky so that the victim is not winded or choked by snow.
  2. Thrusting a hand up: When snow begins to pile up on the victim a thrust of the hand toward the sky can aid in locating the victim. If at all possible the other hand should be near the chest or face to enable the victim to form a breathing space.
  3. Conserving oxygen: In order to conserve oxygen the victim must accept the blackout and burial and not panic or struggle.
All information taken from (Perla and Martinelli 1976)

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