Four Avalanche Safety Tips

Most of us don’t ski enough or so boldly that we’ll ever get caught in an avalanche. But that doesn’t meant there isn’t a risk inherent when going out skiing on the slopes. There are skiers who continually push the envelope and essentially place themselves at the mercy of mother nature. And it’s not only the skiers who find themselves in trouble. If you want to avoid an avalanche, here are some basic safety tips.

Tip #1: Remember that not only skiers get caught in avalanches. On average, avalanches kill some 150 people throughout the world. Not all of these people are skiers. Some are climbers and snowmobilers. Just because you haven’t seen footage of a snowmobiler getting caught in an avalanche is no reason that you won’t. Try to minimize risk by realizing that all back-country activity working through snow in hills and mountains does mean you’re putting yourself in potential danger.

Tip #2: Realize the type of person that usually gets killed by an avalanche. It’s often excessive risk-taking that cause a person to expose himself to conditions ripe for an avalanche, as evidenced by the fact that some 89% of people killed in an avalanche are men. With an average age of only 31, this means it’s usually the young men – the risktakers – who are getting caught in avalanches. Does this mean that only men taking risks are susceptible? Of course not; proximity to high amounts of snow in steep areas is all it takes.

Tip #3: If you’re going to take risks, bring an avalanche beacon. The first way to avoid an avalanche is simply to avoid the risk altogether. But if you’re going to take the risk, you’ll want to bring an avalanche beacon with you. Be sure you know how to use one before taking risks in potential avalanche areas.

Tip #4: Know what to do if you’re overwhelmed by snow. If you’re caught in an avalanche, there are a few things to do. Once you realize you’re getting caught in one, yell for help and let go of your ski poles. Use swimming action to try to stay near the surface of the snow – remember that the snow will quickly harden. If you’re caught under the snow, push out the snow in front of your face to create a breathing pocket before the snow hardens. You’ll also want to take a deep breath to expand your chest before the snow hardens. Give whatever clues you can to rescuers, such as poking a hand out of the surface.

Photo Credits: psd

Originally posted 2009-08-27 03:55:58.

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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on February 10, 2010 in ski safety, ski tips, snowboard tips. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.