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Do not go for help, you are the persons' only chance for survival. Search systematically and thoroughly, and do not give up hope. Although a victims' chances of survival are best in the first few minutes of burial, occasionally people have been rescued alive after hours under the snow. IF YOU WITNESS AN AVALANCHE Watch the victim as they are carried down the slope. If they disappear under the moving snow, note the last seen point and keep your eyes fixed on that snow until it stops. 1) Single Rescuer DO NOT PANIC. If you are alone, evaluate the scene for further hazard, do not endanger yourself. If safe, switch your beacon to receive and proceed quickly to the last seen point and begin a beacon search. LOOK and LISTEN for visual and audio clues. If you do not have a beacon, probe the area the victim was carried to and in likely catchment areas such as trees and depressions. If you donít have a probe use a ski, a pole, a tree branch, anything. Don't give up unless you are completely exhausted and endangering yourself. 2) Group of Rescuers With Beacons If you are in a group, someone must immediately assume the leadership role. Take a few quick moments and account for all of the party members to determine how many are missing. Switch all beacons to receive and make sure everyone has done this correctly. A search will be chaos if someone has left their beacon on transmit. Designate duties: beacon searchers, probers, shovelers. If you have a large party and there could be further danger such as from an adjacent slide path, post an avalanche guard. Keep all of your gear with you so you do not confuse any clues you find on the slope. Also, you will need your gear when you find the victim. Spread out and proceed to the last seen point, mark this and begin your beacon search.. LOOK and LISTEN for clues. If you see a piece of gear, investigate! A ski may have a foot attached, a glove may have a hand inside. When the first beacon signal is detected alert everyone "I have a signal!" Continue the search. When the beacon searchers reach the pinpoint stage, let one person complete the pinpoint, too many signals in close proximity gets confusing. Probers and shovelers should be ready. Probe systematically in the pinpoint area and when you get a strike leave the probe in place and shovel towards it. As soon as possible excavate the persons head and chest. Do not worry about hurting them, they need air! Clear and establish an airway and treat for hypothermia and injuries. 3) Group of Rescuers Without Beacons If it is positively known the victim is not wearing a beacon, you must perform a very thorough initial search. This should include LOOKING and LISTENING for visual and audio clues such as a muffled shout, pieces of clothing or gear, drops of blood or even a dog sitting in one location. Investigate all clues thoroughly and leave them in place. Also you need to spot probe likely areas below the last seen point. Probe around clues, trees, protrusions, depressions, where the slope angle decreases or where the debris is suspiciously thick. If your initial search is unsuccessful you must begin a coarse probe of the most likely catchment area. If you have only a few searchers, spread out in a horizontal line, arms width apart, at the bottom of the area where you suspect the person may be buried. Hold probes vertically in front of you and simultaneously probe first by your left foot and then by your right foot. Keeping your line straight, move up the hill one large step (28 inches) and repeat. Have one person give the commands and be organized and systematic. If you get a strike, someone must fall out of the line and shovel to investigate while everyone else proceeds. If you have a large number of searchers, spread out elbow to elbow with your hands on your hips and probe directly in front of you, simultaneously and systematically, and then move uphill. This is a slow and cumbersome method for rescue and is most often unsuccessful for a live recovery. The best strategy is to avoid getting caught in the first place, but if you do get caught, a beacon is your best chance for a quick recovery. A beacon is just that though, a recovery tool. It will not prevent the trauma that often accompanies going for a ride in an avalanche. Assisting Another Party, or What To Do If You Did Not Witness the Avalanche. 1) Obtain a definite count of party members present and missing. 2) Determine if missing members were wearing beacons. 3) Thoroughly question any witnesses regarding the last seen point, if the victim knew anything about what to do in an avalanche and keep the witness with you. If they are panicked give them a job, such as assembling a probe or carrying a shovel. 4) Organize the searchers and direct them. (see above resuce section) 5) If you have read this you could easily be the only person on a rescue with any idea how to conduct it effectively. Be decisive and be quick. |
