Back Country & Avalanche Safety

It’s that time of the year that the winter enthusiast has been waiting for. Whether you’re a backcountry skier, snowboarder, hiker or snowmobiler’s back country safety is without a question  of paramount importance.  People are killed enjoying back country activities every year. In some cases, the fatalities may have been avoided. In other cases, people were prepared, skilled and smart yet they still got hurt. Back country skiing is inherently dangerous and you should be aware of that every time you head out. I strongly advise a backcountry safety course to brush up on avalanche safety before you head out for the first run on the season. The Canadian Avalanche Center offer Avalanche safety training courses. The ability to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain and effectively rescue a member of the group buried by an avalanche are essential winter survival skills for outdoors enthusiasts.  Visit http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/ast or you local outdoor skills center for more info.

Below are some of the absolute necessity you should have before you head out .

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

TRANSCEIVER

Avalanche transceivers are small electronic devices worn by all members of a team. When travelling, everyone sends out a radio signal; in the event of an avalanche those not buried switch to search mode and follow the signal towards a buried person. 

SHOVEL

You think shovelling is straightforward? Think again. Good shoveling technique can save you tens of minutes if you’re trying to get someone out of a  deep hole! But you need the right tool – not all shovels are created equal!

PROBE

Transceivers get you close fast and a probe is how you actually find someone. Probes are like sectional tent poles that snap together. An assembled probe inserted in the snow in a systematic pattern lets you physically pinpoint someone under the snow so you don’t waste time digging.

BACK COUNTRY KIT SURVIVAL GEAR

flashlight, candles, tool kit, pocket knife, first aid kit, strobe, radio or cell, high energy food/drinks, tow rope, waterproof matches, extra batteries, extra key, ax and saw, mirror/reflective material, thermal blanket, spark drive belt and spark plugs (for snowmobile) Ensure you have a map and compass, extra mitts & socks, extra boot liners, flares, metal cup or pot along with extra fuel.Pack smart and check your equipment and tools each time before you head 

RECOMMENED EQUIPMENT

AIRBAGS

Avalanche airbags reduce the severity of the effects of being in an avalanche by reducing burial depth (or even preventing burial) and facilitating rapid localization. They also help with visibility and may provide some degree of trauma protection.

By no means is this a comprehensive safety training program or document. Please seek professional advice before heading out into the back country.  As a back country Enthusiast and safety professional this is just a general safety message before you head out and enjoy some fresh power.