SAGB_SNOW_2016-17_EN

BASIC AVALANCHE KNOWLEDGE

SAFETY ACADEMY Guide Book

for BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS and FREE RIDERS

REDUCED TO

PROTECTION

ASCENT 30 AVABAG

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Watch the AVABAG VIDEO on ortovox.com!

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

SAFETY ACADEMY Guide Book Our short handbook should not be seen as a miraculous solution against avalanches.

A safety initiative by the SAFETY ACADEMY, the VDBS and ORTOVOX

It should at most impart and consolidate BASIC KNOWLEDGE and give people an understanding of the LAWS OF NATURE. No matter whether you go BACKCOUNTRY SKIING or free riding, you will never be fully able to eliminate the risk.

CONSIDERED BEHAVIOR alone will give you years of pleasure to come in your sport.

Photo Hendrik Reschke

— ortovox.com

supported by

RUDI MAIR and PATRICK NAIRZ Leader & deputy leader of Lawinenwarndienst Tirol (Tyrol Avalanche Warning Service)

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

The picture shows the most dangerous type of avalanche for winter sportspeople, the SLAB AVALANCHE.

AVALANCHE BASICS AVALANCHES AND HOW THEY ARE CAUSED A look at the photo tells the attentive observer many factors about the cause of this avalanche:

WEATHER A lot of new snow combined with wind and cold temperatures.

TERRAIN Untouched and steep. Probably 30° or more.

SNOWPACK A snow slab becomes unstable when there is a

HUMAN Even when highly motivated, people should always act responsibly and in a predominantly defensive manner. The prevalent risk was not detected here.

Photo Ralf Hochhauser

weak layer in the snowpack.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

CONTENTS

04 06 08

AVALANCHE BASICS Avalanches and how they are caused Slab avalanche Avalanche bulletin

AVALANCHE FACTORS 10 Weather 13 Terrain 17 Snow covering 18 Human

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19 20 22 24

BACKCOUNTRY PLANNING Backcountry planning Selecting your destination Graphical reduction method Avalanche emergency equipment

25 26 28 30 31

ON THE SLOPES Avalanche transceiver partner check Basic ascent principles Alarm signs Surrounding hazard zones Basic descent principles

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AVALANCHE ACCIDENT 33 Help from companions 39 First aid

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE BASICS SLAB AVALANCHES CONDITIONS FOR SLAB AVALANCHES  Compact snow (often drift snow)  Poor bond to the layer underneath (low shear resistance = weak snow layer)  Steepness (>30°)

In case of a slab avalanche, snow masses usually come loose with a linear crack in floes, which suddenly slip down on a sliding layer.

Photo Patrick Nairz Paddy Schulz

 Human (as a trigger of the system)

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE BASICS HOW SLAB AVALANCHES ARE TRIGGERED An avalanche can be triggered just from the low additional load on the snowpack. 95% OF AVALANCHE VICTIMS TRIGGER THE AVALANCHE IN which they are caught THEMSELVES. BEAR IN MIND: The weight of new snow, rain, warm temperatures or intense sunshine can also lead to AVALANCHES BEING TRIGGERED NATURALLY!

HIGH ADDITIONAL LOAD Short turn, jump, fall, groups without intervals

LOW ADDITIONAL LOAD

Photo  Hansi Heckmair

Ascent individuals or groups with large intervals, Kick turn

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE BASICS AVALANCHE BULLETIN AVALANCHE REPORTS are normally issued every day in the relevant months and provide data from observers, monitoring stations, snow section recordings and local experts. Just looking at the danger level is NOT ENOUGH. The avalanche bulletin contains all the relevant information about the WEATHER, SNOW COVER, ASSESSMENT OF THE AVALANCHE RISK (danger areas, additional load, trigger probability) and a forecast of the expected development.

TIP  In the SAFETY ACADEMY LAB on ortovox.com you can find all the relevant information at a glance!

LEVEL

SNOW COVER

5

Is generally unstable.

4

Unstable in most places.

3

Only moderate to weak compact on many steep slopes.

2

Only moderately compacted on some steep slopes, otherwise generally well compacted.

1

Generally well compacted and stable.

very high

high

considerable

moderate

low

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

TRIGGER PROBABILITY Many large natural avalanches can be expected, even on moderately steep terrain. Ski touring is not recommended.

Avalanches are probable from just a low additional load on many steep slopes. Many medium, but also big natural avalanches in isolated cases can be expected.

GRAPHIC  Lawinenwarndienst Tirol

Avalanches may be triggered by just a small additional load, especially at the specified steep slopes. Some medium, but also big natural avalanches in isolated cases are possible.

Possible particularly in case of large additional loads, especially at the specified steep slopes. Large natural avalanches are not anticipated.

Avalanches can generally only be triggered in case of large additional loads in isolated places on extremely sloping terrain. Only small natural avalanches are possible.

09

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR WEATHER – PRECIPITATION Whether snowfalls influence the risk of an avalanche or not depends on the conditions during the period of precipitation:

CRITICAL AMOUNT OF NEW SNOW in the last 1 – 3 days

30 – 50 CM

in favorable conditions

20 – 30 CM 10 – 20 CM

in unfavorable conditions

in average conditions (mixture of favorable / unfavorable)

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS

UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS

 No or little wind

 Strong wind (around 50 km/h or 31 mi/h)

 Temperatures just below 0° C, especially when snow starts falling  Rain turning to snow  Irregular old snowpack – Well compacted

 Low temperatures  Bad snowpack structure (numerous extreme variations of snowpack hardness, snow-covered surface frost).  Uniform and relatively loose old snowpack – Weakly bonded

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR WEATHER – TEMPERATURE One of the general conditions to be noted during and after snowfall is the temperature. Cold, warm air, and sunshine have a huge influence on the processes of change in the snowpack and hence also on the avalanche risk.

MASSIVE WARMING

SLOW, MODERATE WARMING

WARMING DURING DAY – COOLING AT NIGHT

Photo Klaus Fengler

COLD

it is very critical, however, to be able to evaluate its effects well.

Warming of the snowpack due to rain is especially precarious. helps to set the snowpack and hence the bond between the layers.

Warming of the snowpack due to rain is especially precarious. causes the snowpack to consolidate perfectly, but attention must be paid to the avalanche situation deteriorating during the course of the day from east to west.

(Attention in case of snowfall after such a phase, a critical weak layer is often formed) preserves existing risks and delays the setting process.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR WEATHER – WIND Wind is the ultimate architect of avalanches.

Just small amounts of snow combined with strong wind can lead to a critical avalanche situation.

WINDWARD SIDE compacted snow

LEE snowdrift

BEAR IN MIND In the mountains you should avoid freshly formed gullies, troughs, and bowls, as snowdrifts accumulate there.

Just as dangerous are the lee areas behind ridges, as well as the cornices above them that are in danger of breaking off.

 ON THE LEE SIDE (snowdrift) Behind ridges, in troughs and gullies, behind slope sides  ON THE WINDWARD SIDE (compacted snow) At the foot of steep ridges

Photo Hansi Heckmair

PARTICULAR CAUTION IS REQUIRED

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

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AVALANCHE FACTOR TERRAIN – SLOPE SHAPE Terrain shapes influence the formation of avalanches because they have a crucial influence on the wind direction and speed and hence also on the extent of snow fractures.

GULLIES, TROUGHS and SLOPE EDGES all pose high avalanche risks.

These shapes of terrain help to form snowdrifts on the lee side and compacted snow build-ups on the windward side.

EXERCISE

TRACE YOUR ROUTE Trace a route on the terrain picture that presents the lowest avalanche risk for you and your fellow skier.

Photo Claus Streitschek

Solution on the next page.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR TERRAIN – SLOPE SHAPE Danger!

CREVASSES COMPACT SNOW

STEEP

GULLY

COMPACT SNOW

CORN

ICE

AVALANCHE G ARNIN n 40° INE W a MORAy steeper th mostl

THE IDEAL ROUTE MAKES THE BEST USE OF THE TERRAIN SHAPES  RIBS, as the snow is often blown off them and snowdrifts hardly accumulate there.  BROAD RIDGES, as the wind hardly ever allows snowdrifts to form here either.  HUMPS, as they support the snowpack by means of small slope shapes.

THE TOUR AVOIDS  BOWLS & GULLIES, since these are areas where snowdrifts can often accumulate.  CORNICES, because they can break off unexpectedly at any time.

On the leeward side, underneath the cornice, one often finds accumulations of dangerous snowdrifts.

Photo Claus Streitschek

 STEEP SLOPES staying away from riskier avalanche-prone areas by maintaining appropriately safe distances.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR TERRAIN – SLOPE DIRECTION 70% of all avalanche accidents happen on NORTH-FACING SLOPES (W to E) and 56% in the pure NORTH SECTOR (NW to NE).

The reason for the frequency of accidents on these aspects is that the snowpack SETS MORE SLOWLY due to the LOW AMOUNTS OF SUNSHINE. Powder, but also the danger, therefore remains in place longer.

N W

E

ILLUSTRATION SAFETY ACADEMY LAB

S In winter, SOUTH-FACING SLOPES often have a more stable snowpack structure due to their prolonged exposure to sunlight.

In spring, please note that the avalanche risk increases earlier on in the day for south-facing slopes than north-facing slopes.

Still 30% of all avalanches go off on a SOUTHERN ASPECT (SE to S to SW).

BEAR IN MIND However, that a CRITICAL AVALANCHE situation often relates to ALL ASPECTS!

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR TERRAIN – STEEPNESS AROUND 97% of all avalanche accidents happen on slopes with an inclination OF OVER 30° (designated in the avalanche report as steep slopes).

When determining the steepness of a slope, the STEEPEST PART OF A SLOPE that measures AT LEAST 20 x 20M (65 x 65 ft) is looked at.

AS A GENERAL RULE:  The steeper the slope, the more dangerous it is  The higher the danger level, the more dangerous slopes there are

5

Backcountry skiing, free riding and snowmobiling are GENERALLY NOT RECOMMENDED.

4

 AVOID SLOPES OVER 30°.  Even in flatter areas, bear in mind the possibility of naturally triggered avalanches from catchment areas above.

3

For all slopes specified in the avalanche bulletin:  AVOID SLOPES GREATER THAN 35°;  S LOPES GREATER THAN 30° MUST BE SKIED ONE AT A TIME

2

A VOID EXTREMELY STEEP TERRAIN  KEEP YOUR DISTANCE on slopes that are so steep that kick turns make them easier to ascend.  CROSS SLOPES OVER 30° ONE AT A TIME

1

Apart from extremely steep terrain, conditions GENERALLY SAFE from avalanches.

30°

40°

ILLUSTRATION Tobias Andres

 In slab avalanches, regardless of the danger level, the average slope (~38°) of avalanches causing accidents is the same

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE FACTOR SNOWPACK A slab avalanche can be triggered when there is a weak layer in the snowpack.

THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THE STABILITY OF THE SNOWPACK:

Photo Michael Müller Hansi Heckmair

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SNOWPACK A thick and uniform snowpack with few variations in hardness is ideal.

NUMBER OF CROSSINGS Heavily used slopes over the whole area before the last snowfall can reduce sliding layers and hence ensure greater stability.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

HUMANS represent the MOST IMPORTANT AVALANCHE FACTOR in recognizing and avoiding the risk of an avalanche. EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, PERSONAL ABILITY and APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR are contributing factors for a safe tour. That is why conscientious ROUTE PLANNING, attentive observation and risk-conscious decisionmaking are an essential part of any off-piste activity.

Photo  Hansi Heckmair

AVALANCHE FACTOR HUMAN

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

PLANNING A TOUR The basis for preparing any backcountry skiing is the information from the AVALANCHE REPORT, WEATHER REPORT, TOUR GUIDES AND TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS.  ALTERNATIVE DESTINATION If the conditions found on the terrain do not match your assumptions, then an alternative destination planned out in advance is the safer solution.  TIME PLANNING As a general rule, 300 – 400m/h (300 – 450yd/h) is a realistic planning factor.

Always include a time buffer in your calculated time – the reality in the mountains is usually different from how you imagined it from the comfort of your home. You should also include breaks in your planning (± 1h).  NEVER GO ALONE Even minor accidents can have fatal consequences.  GROUP SIZE The smaller the group, the more flexible you are.

8 people is seen as the maximum.  GROUP DYNAMICS Always act responsibly and do not be misled into more risk.  CONSIDERATION Always act with the weakest skier in mind and show consideration.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

SCALE 1:25 000 (CONSTANT SLOPE)

STEEPNESS OVER 100M ALTITUDE

PLANNING A TOUR SELECTING YOUR DESTINATION

0

ORTOVOX.COM and the ORTOVOX BERGTOUREN APP (ORTOVOX ALPINE TOURING APP) offer you many destinations, which you can choose according to a wide variety of criteria. The topographic maps shown there are no substitute, however, for conventional maps with as SMALL A SCALE as possible.

1 3 6

500 m

4 7 8

1000 m

9

TIP Slope steepnesses can be read from tour maps with a SCALE OF 1:25000 (for contour line equidistance of 20 meters (65 ft)) with the aid of the mark on the side.

0

CAUTION The contour line equidistance of 25 meters (82 ft) (Tabacco maps) is not provided for in the scales on the shown romer.

Photo SAFETY ACADEMY LAB

2

When planning, it is essential to chose a route suitable for the avalanche situation. SLOPE STEEPNESSES, ASPECT and AVALANCHE TERRAIN TRAPS must be checked in case of any danger situation.

1

21

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

STEEPN

E S S OV E

SCALE 1:

R 100M

25 000 (C

ONSTAN

ALTITUD

T SLOPE

)

E

ILLUSTRATION SAFETY ACADEMY LAB

25°

PLANNING A TOUR SELECTING YOUR DESTINATION MEASURING SLOPE STEEPNESS The slope steepnesses can be discerned from the topographical map quite simply using a slope inclination ruler (P. 20).

Place the slope ruler at right angles to the contour lines on the topographical map and slide it up or down along the map until two adjacent ruler lines line up precisely with two contour lines.

This value corresponds to the steepness of the slope (here 25°).

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

PLANNING A TOUR GRAPHICAL REDUCTION METHOD

SLOPE STEEPNESS PAGE 16

The graphical reduction method combines the factors of AVALANCHE DANGER LEVELS, SLOPE STEEPNESS, CONDITIONS and ASPECT and helps in estimating the avalanche risk level and attempts to give a recommendation for action. The graphic shows whether the risk of avalanche under various conditions (p. 10) is high or low, via the current danger level from the avalanche bulletin, and the measured slope steepness from the map (p. 21) or directly from the field (p. 23).

If the conditions are not clear, assume that they are unfavorable. If conditions are favorable, the next lower danger level can be assumed.

>40° 35° till 40° 30° till <35° <30° AVALANCHE BULLETIN PAGE 8

LOW RISK

UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS PAGE 10

CAUTION

HIGH RISK

HIGH RISK Recommendation to avoid!

ELEVATED RISK Experience necessary! Skillful route selection and careful behavior are essential. Observe danger patterns, individual slope assessment obligatory.

LOW RISK Relatively safe, as long as no specific danger signs are visible.

ILLUSTRATION Werner Munter

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS PAGE 10

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

PLANNING A TOUR GRAPHICAL REDUCTION METHOD PENDULUM METHOD

APP

The ski pole test (using ski poles of the same length) is an easy way APP during a tour. A ski pole is dropped to estimate the gradient of a slope downhill by the grip in the snow and then picked up again with the tip of the pole not being moved.

The second pole is held out with the grip against the grip of the first pole, serving as a pendulum:

ILLUSTRATION SAFETY ACADEMY LAB

 If the tip of the pendulum pole touches the surface of the snow below the imprint made by the first pole, the slope is steeper than 30°.  Each 10 cm (=1 handle length) that the pendulum pole tip lies further downhill than the first pole imprint is equivalent to an additional 3° of slope steepness.  If the pole tip touches the surface within the first pole imprint, the slope is less than 30°.

TIP Alternatively, the slope steepness can also be measured with the ORTOVOX ALPINE TOURING APP.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

PLANNING A TOUR EMERGENCY AVALANCHE EQUIPMENT A COMPLETE SET OF EMERGENCY AVALANCHE EQUIPMENT enables you to locate and save your friends in case of emergency. The individual standard emergency equipment must ALWAYS be carried when you are outside the secured skiing area.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT CANNOT PREVENT AN AVALANCHE OR POTENTIAL BURIAL.

 A VALANCHE TRANSCEIVER 3 antennas and a flagging function are standard.

1-2 h

 A VALANCHE AIRBAG An airbag system can reduce the burial depth.

25 min

 P ROBE A quick and stable quick assembly system is essential.

11 min

 S HOVEL A clearing function saves you invaluable time.

 H ELMET Should always be worn when on tour.  F IRST-AID KIT AND BIVOUAC SACK Can save lives and make emergencies more bearable.  M OBILE PHONE You can alert the rescue by dialing 112 (Europe) / 911 (US)

IMPORTANT Only a complete set of emergency avalanche equipment enables you to locate and save your friends in case of emergency.

ILLUSTRATION Tobias Wandres

EMERGENCYEQUIPMENT FOR GROUPS

EXTENDED EMERGENCYEQUIPMENT

INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY-EQUIPMENT

CHECK LIST

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

ON THE SLOPES AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER PARTNER-CHECK At the starting point of the tour, the transmitting and receiving function on ALL AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS should be checked:

Photo Hansi Heckmair

GROUP LEADER CHECK 1. He switches his transceiver to transmit.

2. All others to receive.

GROUP CHECK 1. Leader switches to Partner-Check ModE, all others to transmit.

2. The group members walk past the leader one by one 5 – 10 m (16 – 32 ft) interval.

3. After a successful check, the leader also switches to transmission mode.

BEFORE EVERY TOUR the batteries should be checked and changed immediately if necessary.

Change batteries if the battery power is below 50%!

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

ON THE SLOPES BASIC ASCENT PRINCIPLES

1 On THE SLOPES Adapt your route to the terrain. GULLIES, TROUGHS and unnecessary STEEP SLOPES should be AVOIDED, as they may hide danger.

2 Go around fresh SNOWDRIFTS and ACCUMULATIONS OF COMPACTED SNOW

3 Actively watch out for ALARM SIGNALS (p. 28).

4 Get your bearings regularly both on the TERRAIN and on the MAP and keep a regular check on your tracks.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

5 Check whether the SLOPE STEEPNESS matches the danger situation (see p. 19).

A slope measuring device, the ORTOVOX S1+ or your ski poles can be used as measuring instruments (pendulum method: p. 23). You can basically tell when ascending slopes from approx. 30° or more, as you will automatically switch from arcing to kick turns.

6

Photo Claus Streitschek

You should either ascend STEEP SLOPES ONE BY ONE or keep a DISTANCE of 5 – 10m (15 – 30 ft).

7 RECENT AVALANCHES are clear indicators of a HIGH RISK OF AVALANCHES. Be sure to keep a safe distance away by giving the area a large berth.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

ON THE SLOPES ALARM SIGNS Reading all visible alarm signs is vital on every tour.

Heavy precipitation, especially rain, and rapid increases in temperature or wind can lead to an increase in the risk of avalanche.

ADDITIONAL ALARM SIGNS ARE:

CORNICES are a sign of high winds.

Dangerous snowdrifts accumulate on the lee side.

DRIFTING SNOW If the snowdrifting is caused by the wind, this can often be recognized by wind tracks on the snow surface (e.g. zastrugi, dunes or wind scoops).

Drifting snow is one of the main causes of slab avalanches.

Photoâ&#x20AC;&#x192; Patrick Nairz

SNOW BANNERS are signs of high wind activity and snow drifting on the lee side.

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

29

RECENT AVALANCHES Indication of an unfavorable and unstable snowpack.

The surrounding terrain with a similar slope aspect and height should be avoided here.

NATURALLY TRIGGERED AVALANCHES usually occur when there is a high avalanche risk. Especially when the weather warms up in the daytime in spring, they serve as an indicator of danger.

CRACKS in the snowpack indicate that it is ready to break. They are often accompanied by whumping or settling noises.

WHUMPING OR SETTLING NOISES the dull whumping sound, when the snow settles, indicates the biggest danger of all. You should avoid steep terrain (>30°) and take a wide detour.

WATCH OUT If you are UNSURE of the danger, you should assess the layers of snow by means of a systematic SNOW COVER ANALYSIS. If there are still safety concerns, TURNING BACK is the only right decision!

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

ON THE SLOPES SURROUNDING HAZARD ZONES

DANGER LEVEL 1 You only have to exercise caution in the area immediately around the track.

DANGER LEVEL 2 The surrounding hazard zone for level 2 has a radius of 20m (65 ft) around the track.

DANGER LEVEL 3 The evaluation radius for level 3 covers the entire slope.

A greater distance to possible avalanche prone slopes and runout areas must be maintained.

DANGER LEVEL 4 The hazard zone encompasses the entire slope or the entire hollow. Avoid possible avalanche runout areas and slopes greater than 30°. Touring possibilities are greatly restricted at avalanche danger level 4.

ILLUSTRATION SAFETY ACADEMY LAB

The terrain I have to evaluate while touring will differ, depending on the AVALANCHE DANGER LEVEL. The relevant evaluation RADIUS INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY with INCREASING AVALANCHE DANGER LEVEL.

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

31

ON THE SLOPES BASIC DESCENT PRINCIPLES  It is possible to descend in a group only in very safe conditions.

A SAFETY INTERVAL of approx. 50 m (160 ft) is recommended on any descent.  In case of less clearly safe conditions, skiers should descend ONE BY ONE.  The leader should travel out in front and wait at REGULAR intervals AWAY FROM THE DESCENT ROUTE at SAFE or SHELTERED ASSEMBLY POINTS.  In case of POOR VISIBILITY and POOR SNOW, skiers should descend IN THE TRACKS at safe intervals one after the other.  Members of the group should WATCH OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.  In the forest, the BUDDY PRINCIPLE applies: every two group members are responsible for each other and do not let each other out of their sight.

Photo Hansi Heckmair

 The leader is NOT TO BE PASSED.

PLEASE NOTE Falls and jumps impact the snow cover with 6 – 7 TIMES BODY WEIGHT and should be avoided particularly in ridge areas and steep sections!

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT

30

60 min

Photo Hansi Heckmaier ILLUSTRATION Tobias Wandres

15

The chance of survival in the FIRST 15 MINUTES is relatively high at 90%, but after that drops drastically.

Only with: — COMPLETE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT — A FAST RESCUE OPERATION — and lots of TRAINING do you have a realistic chance of rescuing the victim.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT HELP FROM COMPANIONS

1

Photo Norbert Pichelsberger

2

 If the accident was observed, you should note the POINT OF DISAPPEARANCE 1 and coordinate the rescue operation without delay.  If there are several helpers, one alerts the rescue service (eu 112 / us 911).  ALL HELPERS SWITCH THEIR TRANSCEIVERS TO SEARCH.  The search area 2 starts at the POINT OF DISAPPEARANCE at the AVALANCHE BACK-UP AREA.

1

or

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT SIGNAL SEARCH 10m

10m 20m

20m

20m 10m

 At the same time, start the signal search.  Depending on the number of helpers, the avalanche deposit is searched in PARALLEL (search strip width max. 20 m, or 64 ft), or by MEANDERING with one person searching.

Photo Klaus Fengler

 First, you should search the avalanche deposit with your EYES AND EARS for objects or partially buried victims.

SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT COARSE SEARCH

 Modern, digital 3-antenna avalanche transceivers will show you the direction.  You just have to follow the DIRECTION ARROW!  Distances that get smaller indicate that you are getting closer to the victim.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

 When 2 – 3 meters (6 – 10 FEET) away from the victim, hold the device as CLOSE as possible OVER THE SURFACE of snow and search CROSSWAYS until you find the lowest value.  This value displayed equates to the victim’s depth. You should ideally mark this point using CROSSED POLES or a SHOVEL.

Photo Hansi Heckmaier

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT FINE SEARCH

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT PROBING LOCATION

25cm

 Mark the point with the smallest distance measurement (with crossed ski poles, shovel etc.). Starting from this point, probe the area systematically from the INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE in the 25cm (~10 in) grid spacing shown.  The probe remains in place and is used for ORIENTATION purposes.

TIP Always probe at a 90° ANGLE to the surface of the snow

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT DIGGING OUT

1

 With SEVERAL HELPERS, replace the shoveller at the top after 1 MINUTE at the latest.  The positions should be taken as follows: CUT OUT BLOCKS, SHOVEL, and CLEAR SNOW AWAY.

TIP Shovels with a CLEARING FUNCTION can save valuable time here.

Photo Hansi Heckmaier

 Read of the victim‘s DEPTH from the probe 1 and walk down the slope by this figure and start shoveling in a V-shape.

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SAFETY ACADEMY GUIDE BOOK

AVALANCHE ACCIDENT FIRST AID  Following extrication, snow should immediately be REMOVED from the mouth and AIRWAYS, and lifesaving measures should be initiated (breathing, consciousness, circulation).  Do not move the victim more than necessary, and WARM HIM OR HER GENTLY, while preventing further cooling. A hole made by shoveling serves as good protection from the wind when positioning the victim.  Give the victim warm, sugary LIQUIDS  CARRY AWAY gently AIR RESCUE

ALPINE EMERGENCY SIGNAL * BREAK 1 min

1 min

1 min

ANSWER * BREAK 1 min

1 min

1 min

YES (HELP)

* shout, light, whistle, signs

NO (HELP)

EMERGENCY CALL DO I HAVE RECEPTION? YES EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER 112 MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE Bavaria 112 Austria 140 Swizerland 1414 Italy 112 France 112 Slowenia 112 USA 911

NO 1. Turn off cell phone 2. Turn on cell phone (without entering PIN) 3. Dial 112 Is the number dialing?

NO

YES

NO EMERGENCY CALL POSSIBLE!  Change locations (possible reception on peaks or near civilization)  ensure accessibility

MAKE EMERGENCY CALL

BEING PREPARED with the

PHOTO: Bernd Ritschel

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