Avalanche Awareness

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, there have already been 16 deaths attributed to avalanches this winter season. If you are a winter sports enthusiast like myself, you will need to take the threat of an avalanche very serious to avoid ending up as a statistic on the CAIC site.

The best way to prepare before going in avalanche country is to take some avalanche courses from qualified experts, such as the instructors from AIARE (The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education). There is also a flash tutorial at the Teton Gravity Research site that will also get you familiar with avalanche safety, but it is not a substitute for an actual course. If you are from the Denver area like myself, you may want to look into the Friends of Berthoud Pass. They are a non-profit organization that also conduct avalanche safety courses.

Going through the courses, you will be better able to read the landscape and climate so that you can avoid danger areas. You'll learn how ground surface, gradients, slope profiles, snow types, cornices, wind, and temperature can factor into a possible avalanche. You will learn about the different types of avalanches, such as wet slab, hard slab, and soft slab. The courses will also help teach you techniques that increase your chances of surviving if caught in an avalanche.

In case you haven't taken my advice and/or haven't been through an avalanche course and you do find yourself in an avalanche situation, here's some advice. If caught in an avalanche, ditch as much gear as you can immediately, such as your backpack, skis, snowshoes, etc. Once the avalanche hits, try to move toward the peripheries (the outside boundaries of the avalanche) by rolling or making a backstroke swimming motion. You want to keep your back towards the avalanche blast; this helps from keeping your head being driven down into the snow. Try to keep your mouth tightly shut and covered with clothing if possible.

If you are truly caught in an avalanche, let it settle before trying to rescue yourself. Clear a breathing space in front of your face and try not to use up to much of the valuable air by shouting out. An avalanche can be disorientating because of tumbling and not being able to see. So, don't start trying to dig yourself out right away. Let some spit drip from your lips to see which way is down. Once you know which way is down and up, slowly dig your way towards the surface until you break free. Don't panic and don't expend too much energy and air while digging your way up.

If you are with someone who has been buried in an avalanche, do not go for assistance if it's more than 15 minutes away; the person buried will most likely suffocate before then. Go to where the person was last seen or where the person was first hit by the avalanche and mark that spot. Work downwards from that point looking for any personal articles, such as goggles, clothing, etc. that will help pinpoint the place of burial. Use an ice axe shaft, ski pole, or similar object to probe gently through the snow to find the victim. Once the victim is found, dig them free as quickly as possible and perform CPR if needed.

There is equipment out there that helps in avalanche survival situations. Take a look at avalanche beacons, probe poles, and back country shovels.

If you haven't taken an avalanche safety course, I would suggest staying away from the back country in winter season. If you do go, go with at least one friend but the more the merry and better and stay close to tree areas and away from chutes or other dangerous areas. As always, be prepared and cautious.