Avalanche Rescue
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Avalanche Rescue Tips from Brooks-Range Each year, avalanches claim more than 150 lives worldwide, and many more are caught in the "White Death" but survive. In recent years, these numbers have been increasing due to the boom in outdoor recreation. Skiers, hikers and backcountry recreationists are drawn to the mountains, where they can potentially trigger avalanches as they cross hazardous terrain. Most of these avalanches occur from December to April, and it is imperative that these outdoor enthusiasts to be equipped to survive an avalanche.
Tom Murphy, program director at the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and a member of the advisory panel for Brooks-Rangemountaineering equipment, recommends taking an avalanche course before venturing into the backcountry. "All travelers need to be prepared and carry the appropriate rescue equipment when traveling in the backcountry. All members of the group must carry a shovel, probe and beacon and be proficient with each of these tools," suggests Tom. "Also, always get an avalanche bulletin before heading out into the backcountry in the winter. If you're unsure of the snow stability, err on the side of caution and stay away from slopes where avalanches might occur."
Following are some products from Brooks-Range that will help facilitate an avalanche rescue this season:
Following are some products from Brooks-Range that will help facilitate an avalanche rescue this season:
Brooks-Range Backcountry Shovel - This shovel weighs only 1 lb, 12 oz. and features a heavy-duty D-grip handle. The 20" telescoping lightweight aluminum shaft provides a long reach, which is great for extra leverage in snowpack. The scoop is made of tempered aluminum and a serrated edge that makes short work of the toughest ice and hard pack. Should an avalanche occur you will need a shovel to extricate your party member. MSRP: $ 50.00Brooks-Range Ultralite Rescue Sled - This sled is 
easy to assemble and is designed to transport a person using his/her own skis and poles. The skis act as sled runners and are connected using lightweight stretcher bars. The poles are crossed and attached to the skis using straps, creating a platform for the patient, who is wrapped in a vivid red ultralight-weight rip-stop nylon fabric and placed on the skis/poles. The whole sled weighs just 12 oz. and folds into a compact storage envelope measuring 6' x 11' x 1". AIARE instructors have personally tested this sled, along with several ski guides and Search and Rescue (SAR) professionals and have found it to be the most dependable, sturdy platform available for emergency transport in the backcountry. MSRP: $238.00
easy to assemble and is designed to transport a person using his/her own skis and poles. The skis act as sled runners and are connected using lightweight stretcher bars. The poles are crossed and attached to the skis using straps, creating a platform for the patient, who is wrapped in a vivid red ultralight-weight rip-stop nylon fabric and placed on the skis/poles. The whole sled weighs just 12 oz. and folds into a compact storage envelope measuring 6' x 11' x 1". AIARE instructors have personally tested this sled, along with several ski guides and Search and Rescue (SAR) professionals and have found it to be the most dependable, sturdy platform available for emergency transport in the backcountry. MSRP: $238.00
Brooks-Range Professional Guide Toolkit with Ski Guide Cards - This invaluable card set condenses critical safety and survival information that has been developed by professional mountain guides, avalanche and backcountry professionals to help remember key points in the field. They are also sold with a map tool with ten scales, Universal Transverse Mercator and slope indexes as well as an Emergency Latitude/Longitude Ruler for providing lat/long position to air rescue teams. MSRP: $ 75.00In addition to having this important gear, Tom has these additional tips if you are caught in an avalanche; the actions taken in the first few seconds could save your life.
· Yell - call out for attention!
· Try to quickly exit to the side or flank of the avalanche. If you can't get off, fight to get to the rear of the avalanche where there is less turbulence.
· Grab trees rocks or what ever you can to get out. Kick, swim, and fight to stay on the surface, if caught in the turbulent flow of the avalanche, curl into a ball, protect your face.
· As the avalanche begins to slow, it will come to a stop quickly. Be prepared to push a hand toward the surface and attempt to make an air pocket in front of your face.
· Relax and hope your partner knows how to use the beacon, shovel and probe.
If you are part of a rescue team, Tom has these tips to help get your team member out of an avalanche:
· Take charge and assign a leader.
· Take a head count and find out who is missing.
· Asses safety of the party - are there any other potential hazards that could occur during your rescue such as another avalanche?
· Turn your transceivers to search mode.
· Identify the "last seen point" for the victim and determine the search areas based on that.
· Begin a systematic search - Single searchers create a "zig zag" search pattern; multiple searchers line up in a horizontal line across the mountain, and search straight downhill.
· Yell to others when you have a signal Locate the victim with a probe (gently), when you find the victim, do not remove the probe.
· Determine the depth and size of the hole required and start digging (hard and fast!) downhill and away from the probe, working your way toward the probe.
Tom Murphy
Executive Director
American Institute for Avalance Research and Education
211 S. Teller
Gunnison, CO 81230
Phone: 970-209-0486
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