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1. Avalanche Awareness
2. Safety Basics for the slopes
3. Sun
Awareness... Save Your Skin
 Avalanche Awareness
With the growing
popularity of all backcountry pursuits including snowmobiling, ski touring,
snowshoeing, mountaineering and snowboarding, backcountry exploration and
adventure is becoming more popular with outdoor enthusiasts. There is also a
growing concern for the numbers of inexperienced and unprepared explorers that
increase along with the trend. Even those who have years of training and
guiding become weary of the unexpected when it comes to mother nature.
Knowledge is key to avalanche survival and the first step is proper education in
avalanche awareness, knowledge of hazards, snow science and being able to
perform safe and effective rescues.
This article is
only meant to be a basic introduction. There are courses available
with organizations such as the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC
(Vancouver) and the Canadian Avalanche Association (Revelstoke), both of
which holds courses in their respective areas.
Get training... Get experience...
Get equipped
Avoidance is the number one rule. Learn about terrain
and how to evaluate it. Learn to recognize avalanche features and evaluate
routes to minimize potential danger. Avoid steep slopes and gullies, and
lee slopes where wind deposits large amounts of snow - these are usually on the
northeast and northwest slopes and marked by cornices. Avoid south facing
slopes especially in the spring when they are warmed by afternoon sun and
are prone to wet slides. And be aware of hazards from above that you may
not be able to see.
Ridges are the safest place to travel. Valley bottoms
far from sidehills and heavy forested areas are also generally avalanche-safe
areas.
The science of snow
Once you've picked as safe a route as possible, it's
important to evaluate the snowpack. But the science of snow is a complex
subject and even with years of experience snow evaluation is difficult.
Establish a snow profile. Dig a pit to get an understanding of the makeup
of the snow and its stability - an old crust layer with new snow on top is a
good indicator of high avalanche hazards. It's also important to
have a knowledge of local weather during snowpack formation.
There are two types of avalanches: loose snow that starts at
one point and increases in volume as it tumbles, and slab avalanches that form
when the snowpack fractures and the slope subsequently releases. Slab
avalanches usually occur on large slopes and in bowls. Avalanche hazards
are highest during and after a snowstorm and in the spring warm winds
destabilize slopes.
Safety first
Although not desirable, one may have to cross
avalanche-sensitive areas. There are a few important rules to keep in mind
when doing so.
Spread out. Allow only one person to be exposed to the
hazard at a time.
"Do up" your extra clothing and undo straps on
skis, poles and packs and pick an escape route. Mark the traversing person
so you know where they were when the avalanche hit. Always carry and use
avalanche transceivers (also known as beacons) and cross the slope
quickly. Remember that a slope successfully traversed isn't necessarily
safe for everyone.
If you're caught
Unload your poles, skis and pack and "swim" like
crazy to keep yourself on top of the snow. If covered, create an air
pocket in front of your face just before the slide stops.
Time is of the essence
Although 1/3 of avalanche victims die due to physical trauma,
most suffocate to death in less than an hour after being buried. So time
is of the essence. Visually mark the last spot the victim was seen, assess
further slide danger and establish an escape route. Search for debris
throughout the avalanche area such as poles, goggles or hats and search using
your avalanche transceivers and probes. Get help and apply First Aid when
necessary.
Get equipped
As already discussed, avalanche transceivers or beacons
are a necessity in the backcountry. These small radio devices receive and
transmit a 457 kHz radio signal. Do not buy a transceiver that uses old
frequencies: it will be useless if your partners do not have the same
transceivers and the old ones do not have the range that the new ones do.
And it's best to stay away from dual transceivers because their range is not as
good. It's also important that everyone carry a shovel and telescoping
avalanche probes.
A new product on the market is the Black Diamond
Avalung. This vest has a full surface area for breathing and a mouth-piece
that if in place prior to burial, reduces likelihood of an ice mask forming
around the face. Essentially, the vest separates incoming oxygen from
outgoing carbon dioxide. In a race against time, this can buy a precious
few minutes for searchers.
The backcountry will always lure recreational enthusiasts
further into its wilds. Enjoy its serenity. Just remember to be
prepared. Get training, get experience, and get equipped.
Safety Basics
While winter in North America
winds down, the topic of ski / snowboard safety is still a hot debate.
Although the number of injuries linked to the sports are still relatively low in
comparison to the actual numbers of participants year-round, one can't
help but think how we can reduce the number of injuries without having to
enforce any stricter rules on the slopes.
The recent publicity of ski /
snowboard accidents and injuries as well as arising lawsuits sheds an unwanted
light to the sports and to those who enjoy and promote these activities.
At the same time, those who have been thinking about trying the new sports tend
to shy away because if the "fear of injury" factor that's created.
Like any other sport that
demands an individual's physical and mental concentration, you must be
prepared. This not only means being physically ready, but also
knowledgeable on the basics of the sport itself. Setting up an exercise
program before hitting the slopes is always a good idea. This prepares
your body for the amount of stress it will take when learning a new sport.
Check out some exercises in our Fitness Article.
Proper instruction is one of
the keys to a fun and injury-free day on the hills. All ski resorts have
some sort of drop-in program for people wanting to learn as well as lessons for
those who want to improve their skills. Just starting with lessons in the
basics is a good head start on injury prevention and an activity you can enjoy
for a lifetime. We can't stress that enough!
Another tip in protecting
yourself when learning is to wear some protective equipment. Don't worry
if you think you look like a "geek" when wearing the stuff, you'll
feel better at the end of the day. In fact, many of the manufacturers are
managing to put a little style in their designs now. If you can, get your
hands on a helmet ($90-$200), knee pads ($15), wrist guards (rollerblading gear will
do - $20) and
if possible, a butt pad (we hear the pillows you can get on airplanes are good -
$ depends on airline). Remember, the cost of any of your body parts outweigh the cost of
all of these equipment combined. Check it out at your local sporting goods
stores and ask questions if you have any... remember to be well informed.
One more thing to be aware of
at all times on the mountains is the Ski / Snowboard Responsibility Code:
- Ski or snowboard under control and in such a
manner that you can stop or avoid others or objects.
- When proceeding downhill or overtaking others,
you must avoid the person(s) below you.
- You must not stop where you obstruct a trail
or are not visible from above.
- When entering a trail or starting downhill,
yield to others.
- Everyone shall use devices to prevent runaway
skis or snowboards.
- You shall keep off closed trails and posted
areas and observe all signs.
- Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and
ability to load, ride and unload safely.
This is a partial list.
Be safety conscious. See you outside!
Sun
Awareness... Use The Screen... Save Your Skin
Sunscreens are only effective when used properly.
No sunscreen offers complete protection.
Never use a sunscreen to prolong the amount of time you spend out in the sun,
but rather to increase your protection when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
- Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 3 pm
- Always wear clothing and a hat when you're
outside
- Choose the appropriate sunscreen (gel, spray,
lip balm, lotion, cream...)
- Apply sunscreen to ears, neck, nose, and
temples
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours
- Look for sunscreen containing oxybenzone,
Parsol® 1789, or Mexoryl® SX, which are effective against UVA rays
- Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher
(anti-UVB), and the CDA logo
For more information, log on at www.dermatology.ca
Courtesy of The Canadian Dermatology Association
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