Avalanches Meribel.

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AVALANCHE TIPS
 
Avalanches are enormous sliding movements of snow and ice as well as the soil and rocks under. The three main conditions that determine whether avalanches are likely to occur are the weather, the snow pack, and the mountain. The weather is the most important factor in determining if an avalanche will occur, but other items also need to be considered as 90% percent of all avalanches are caused by skiers or snowboarders. Most avalanches happen after new heavy snowfall or during warm afternoon temperatures.

• Approx  5% of avalanche victims die from the fall itself .

• 95% of those not buried under the snow survive.

• Only 34%  of  those buried under the snow survive. The other 66% die.

• 80% of those victims die of suffocation or asphyxiation.

•  A person recovered within 15 minutes has more than a 90% chance of survival.

• After being buried for 35 minutes the chances of survival are just 35%. (only 1 in 3 survives!).

• After being buried for 1 hour the chances of survival are reduced to 15%. ( Only 1 in 7  survives!).

We have researched some products that might well help you improve your chances of survival in the case of you being caught in an avalanche.

One of them is the Avalung. Please have a look at this product! This is a system that can help you to breath whilst buried. At the time of writing Snow and Rock had them on sale at a discount price at 79.96 (Uk pounds).

Another excellent product that has a fantastic survival record is the ABS airbag. The Federal Institute of Avalanche Research in Switzerland found that out of 40 people caught in Avalanches and wearing Air bags 97.5 % survived. (Just 1 in 40 died!)  ABS Airbags cost between 399 - 529 (Uk Pounds) at Snow & Rock.

In the 2005/6  season in the  Savoie region (which includes Meribel ) 21 people were killed in avalanches. This figure is 75%  up on 2004/5.(12) The Savoie region accounts for 41% of  the total skiing in France.

Natural avalanches in the 3 valleys have occurred but are extremely rare. If a route is barred because of avalanche danger be assured that it is certainly very dangerous. The 3 valley piste patrollers do not deliberately spoil your powder days with unnecessary warnings. If some lifts have a delayed opening in the mornings it is usually because of avalanche danger so be patient. Piste patrollers set off avalanches deliberately with grenades. You will certainly hear the explosions in the mornings following a heavy snowfall. This is to ensure that no avalanches can occur naturally above a piste run. Over years of experience the piste patrollers have learnt where and in what conditions most avalanches occur. Even the high mountain guides, who do a five year course on top of their ski instructor training, often  ask the advice of the local piste patroller.
 
Skiing & snowboarding off piste requires great caution. Here are a few rules to follow. 
 
1) Never go skiing or riding alone.

2) Use your ski poles without the straps fixed around your wrist.
 

3) Never go off piste without a minimum of  1) Transceiver 2) Shovel 3) Avalanche probe.

4) Make sure you know how to use the transceiver. Practice constantly with friends until you can find something buried within 15 minutes. Test the batteries are in good condition.

5) Wear the transceiver under your clothing. A serious avalanche will probably tear your rucksack and some clothing away from you.
 
6) Know the area. Most avalanches occur on slopes of 30 degrees or more. Buy yourself a compass and inclinometer.
 
7) Never ski/ride in deep snow laden gullies. These are extremely dangerous.
 

8) If you do set an avalanche off try to steer out of it swiftly to one side.
 
9) If you are carried downhill try to swim with the avalanche to stay on top. Better still buy an ABS airbag
 
10) If you find yourself being buried try to cover your face with your hands and elbows to give a small breathing area and stop suffocation. Try to create an air pocket for yourself. Better still buy an Avalung.
 
11) Maintain air space for chest expansion by taking a large deep breath. 
 
12) Try not to panic and conserve your energy while your friends are above searching for you.

THE SEARCH RULES:

FIRST AND FOREMOST: Call for help then switch off all mobile phones.
They interfere with Transceivers.

THEN FOLLOW THESE RULES:
 

1. Do not have a pee anywhere near the spot, as this will hinder any possible rescue by mountain dogs.
    

2.  Mark the point where the victim was last seen.
    

3.  Check for further avalanche danger.
    

4.  Fan out in a line above the place where the person was last seen.
    

5.  Almost the only chance of being rescued is by your friends as most avalanche victims usually suffocate within the first 30 minutes. 15 minutes is your target for finding the victim(s).

  6. Going off for help is usually not a good idea if you have the equipment to search with.

  7.  Finally avalanches claim the lives of  almost 70% of those caught in them so just don't get caught. They are no fun and when compressed the snow becomes similar to  solid concrete. If you follow all the    advice here you will at least have a small chance of survival should the worst happen. Good luck and happy powder.
 
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Useful Emergency Tel Numbers:
 
Put these numbers in to your mobile phone: +33 and leave out  (0) if you have a UK phone.