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.
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Approx 5% of avalanche victims die from the fall itself .
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95% of those not buried under the snow survive.
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Only 34% of those buried under the snow survive. The other 66% die.
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80% of those victims die of suffocation or asphyxiation.
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A person recovered within 15 minutes has more than a 90% chance of survival.
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After being buried for 35 minutes the chances of survival are just 35%. (only 1 in 3 survives!).
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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. Groups of 3 to 5 are safest. 2 is not enough for safety. Over 5 means the group can get fragmented
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, as there is no escape route and you could get buried too deep for a rescue.
8) If you do set an avalanche off try to steer out of it swiftly to one side.Hence Gullys are dangerous!!
9) If you are carried downhill try to swim with the avalanche to stay on top. Better still buy an ABS
airbag.These usually will keep you floating on top.
10) If you do 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. |
