Avalanche Beacons, Safety, and Survival

Internationally, avalanches are responsible for the death of well over a hundred people per year. The awe-inspiring, destructive power of these events has been known to decimate everything in their path. For the winter outdoor enthusiast, knowing avalanche safety techniques can be the difference between life and death.

At avalanchesafety.org, we understand the dangers that are inherent to backcountry skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering. Our website is dedicated to providing the public with all the necessary knowledge about safety and the equipment needed for these types of outdoor activities. However, we do not endorse any one company or product.

Experts all agree that an avalanche beacon can often be the piece of equipment that allows one to survive an avalanche. In the vast majority of cases, buried victims that are not found within fifteen minutes are almost guaranteed not to survive. Carrying a beacon can dramatically improve your chances of being found before your available air supply is depleted.

Asphyxiation is a leading cause of death among avalanche victims. Once buried, there is often very little air, if any at all. To address this issue, an avalanche safety device called the Avalung was designed by Black Diamond Equipment. While we try not to endorse a particular company or product, the Avalung is the only device of it’s kind. It allows you to breathe air from the surrounding snowpack, while allowing the exhaled carbon-dioxide to exit behind you. When combined with a beacon, the Avalung can greatly improve your chances of being found.

Having the proper avalanche gear and avalanche accessories is essential to travelling through the backcountry. Items like shovels and snow probes are commonly carried pieces of equipment. These are not only good to have if you’re swept away in an avalanche, but they are essential to avalanche search and rescue operations as well. A backcountry pack is also recommended as the most effective means of carrying all the necessary equipment.

For search and rescue operations, an avalanche probe and other avalanche equipment are important tools of the trade. Transceivers that can pick up the signal from a beacon can be the most effective way to locate an avalanche victim, provided the victim had the foresight to bring one with them. Avalanche probes are used to determine how far under the snow a victim is buried.

Avalanche classes and avalanche DVD’s are excellent ways to learn about survival and safety in the backcountry. However, DVD’s are not a viable substitute for taking courses taught be experienced, certified mountain guides. They are an excellent source of information, but do not provide adequate training for alpine emergencies. If you decide to enroll in a mountaineering course, be sure that the instructors are certified through a reputable organization.

Avalanche survival training should be undertaken before setting out on your own winter adventure. Your chances of surviving such an avalanche are increased when you carry the proper equipment, but equipment alone does not guarantee you’ll live through the experience. The best tool to help avoid such a tragedy is education and common sense. Know the conditions, and avoid areas that pose an avalanche risk.

 

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