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Observe, Organise, Search and Emergency Care...

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an avalanche incident, the most important thing to realise is that the actions of the people at the scene can make the difference between survival and a fatality.

Observation at the time of the incident (or on arrival at the scene) will give important clues as to where someone may be buried.  Good organisation at the start will mean that whatever resources and expertise are available will be deployed quickly and effectively.  Use of an appropriate search pattern in three stages will then get close to any buried victims quickly; and good use of the probe and shovel will will them them clear of snow and able to breath as soon as possible.  And finally, knowledge about emergency care and calling the rescue services will help ensure victims survive any injuries.

The manufacturers of avalanche safety equipment provide good information and guidance on the use of their products, search patterns, etc. and a lot of this is available on-line.  The different types of transceivers have various advantages and limitations, but all of them are only as good as the operator, so practice is the key to a fast location time. 

Most digital transceivers are fairly intuitive to use, analogue transceivers less so.  So, using a digital can result in being quicker in the first and second part of a search.  But the final part of the search needs extra care, and an analogue transceiver can be more re-assuring and quicker in the final stage.  Some transceivers combine both types of technology, and the latest models are using sensor technology to help with multiple burials, but these types of transceivers need more practice to use confidently.

It is also important to realise that having the right avalanche safety equipment is not a guarantee of your safety.  The best way to ensure your safe enjoyment of snow sports is to understand the hazards and plan your trips accordingly.  If you do not have the right equipment, conditions, and experience for a particular trip then you need to think about changing your plans.

White Risk

Interactive CD produced by the Swiss Avalanche Institute and 'leisure time safety'.