MountainSavvy AVALANCHE
SAFETY CHECKLIST
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
___
Check weather / avalanche forecast / local authorities
___
Choose competent and compatible partners: Consider ability, experience &
attitude
___
Select several viable objectives to provide multiple options for success
___
Be sure your planned route is suitable for current and forecast conditions
___ Got avalanche
beacons, probes & shovels? Know how to use them & practiced?
___ Leave trip
itinerary with a friend
IN THE AREA
Human Factors - Are there issues that overshadow
prudent decisions?
___ Goal-Orientation:
Is a single objective blinding you? (a summit? a particular slope?)
___ Invulnerability
___ Herd mentality
taking over?
___ Rationalization
___
Technical skill in sport outpacing your avalanche knowledge and skills?
___ Reassess: continually
Terrain - Is it suitable for avalanches?
___ Slope Angle
- Measure it! (30-45 degrees are most common)
___
Slope Aspect - Leeward? Wind-loaded? Shaded? Sun-exposed?
___
Slope Shape - Convex rolls? Open? Bowl? Gully? Corniced?
___
Slope Anchors - Vegetation, Rock outcrops, Benches: Are they anchors or
weak points?
___ What are the
consequences if it goes?
___
Terrain Traps - Narrow gullies, cliffs, crevasses, trees, rocks
___
Reassess: continually
Snowpack - Might it slide? Is it unstable?
___ Obvious Signs
of Instability
___ Recent
avalanches on similar slopes
___ "Whumphing"
sounds or shooting cracks
___ Consistent
"Very Easy" or "Easy" failures upon testing
___ HIGH
or EXTREME Avalanche Bulletin
Danger Level
___ Other Clues
of Instability
___ Fresh
snow in the past 24 hours
___ Sudden temperature
rise or first sunshine on new snow
___ Consistent
"Easy" or "Moderate" failures upon testing
___ CONSIDERABLE
Avalanche Bulletin Danger Level
___ Reassess:
continually
Weather - Has it, is it or will it contribute to
instability?
___ Precipitation
- Type, amount, intensity, duration
___
Wind - transport of snow by wind loading lee slopes (further stressing snowpack)?
___
Temperature - Rising temps or sun causing loss of snow strength?
- Prolonged
cold temps causing faceting?
___ Reassess:
continually
TRAVEL
___ Avalanche beacon check at trailhead
___
Look at Terrain, Weather and Snowpack clues - speak up!
___
Stay on ridge lines / flanks of open slopes
___
One person at a time crosses suspect slopes - cross high
___
Watch those crossing suspect slopes
___
Follow using the same track; move quickly between safe areas
___
Be ready to ditch gear
-
Do not use pole straps
-
Remove equipment leashes
-
Use releasable binding when available
___ Continually look for escape routes - what if
the slope releases?
___
Choose safe rest areas & campsites - check for hidden tracks & runout
zones - consult map
___
Reassess: continually
IF CAUGHT
___ Call out!
___
Attempt to escape toward flanks (sides)
___
Ditch awkward gear
___
FIGHT, swim, grab a tree or rock, self-arrest
___
Keep mouth shut
___
When slowing, make strong thrust toward surface
___
Push one hand toward surface
___
Make air pocket in front of face with other hand
___
Try to dig yourself out
___
Attempt to remain calm
RESCUE
___ Organize, appoint leader, avalanche lookout,
question eyewitnesses
___
Note who is missing
___
Assess further danger
___
Identify escape routes
___
All beacons to "receive" mode
___
Establish and mark victim(s) last seen point(s)
___
Search for surface clues - check them, then leave them in place
___
Focus search on major deposits and likely catchment areas below last seen point
(s)
(around
trees, rocks, bends in path, etc.)
___
Beacon Search
what
who
Phase 1
obtain signal
everyone
Phase 2
home in on signal
everyone getting signal
Phase 3
pinpoint signal
one searcher (others
prepare to probe and dig)
___ Manage digging so as not to re-shovel
___
Care for victim - First Aid ABC's - keep victim warm
___
All beacons back to "transmit" mode
Created by Roland Emataz and Glenn Kessler copyright 2003