Avalanches

AVALANCHES.

We all enjoy the back country. Getting away from it all. But having worked in avalanche country for 27 years and watching the news from last night, I must remind everyone to be aware.

Many years ago a very dear friend of mine, Jeff Wong, lost his life in an avalanche on Mt Hood, Ore. We taught the EMT  program together at MHCC. He was a prof. Ski patrol instructor. Two of his ski patrol members witnesses the release and was there digging him out within seconds but it was to late. Jeff had just been married a few months prior and left behind a wonderful wife and beautiful little daughter. 

I myself have released an avalanche while on ski patrol in White river canyon with my dog Valorie. Luckily she was above me to the right. I was able to ski out of it. Our snow here in the NW is heavy.

When it takes you, it's swift, wet, cold, and sets up like concrete. 

Before you go out and play dig a pit and check the snow levels to see what is fresh and what is old.

You will see the depth hoar and sluff layers. Stay OFF the slopes of  45 to 90 degrees and remember even the small releases can kill you. 

If you witness a release and you are the rescuer, remember the clock is ticking. Go to the release zone. Probe immediately with your skis, probes, snow shoes, what ever you have. If you have a strike, dig quickly. If you are lucky enough to make a find, uncover his/her mouth and remove the snow plug in their mouth so they can breath. If they are not breathing start mouth to mouth right away. 

If you are the victim caught in a slide, swim hard, as the snow starts to set up, take a deep breath while covering your mouth with your hand and try to form an air pocket. Try pushing your hand through the snow to show rescuers' where you are. You can also spit to see which direction is UP.  

Most of the victims (over 90%) are in the toe (last third) of the avalanche release zone area.

Divide the release area into 3 sections. The first third is an area of low probability. The second third holds about 8 percent of the victim's. The last third known as the Toe area holds about 90% of the victims.

The best device you can use to save your life is COMMON SENSE. The next is an pieps avalanche transmitter/receiver unit. THE ELT's save lives and are worth the $300.00 dollar investment. Make sure you wear them, make sure you test them before traveling, and make sure they are on while enjoying the outdoors.  

There are newer products out on the market to help you survive. One is called the avalanche lung. It's a rebreather that helps kick lose the Co2 and allows you to breath O2. I don't put a lot of faith in these devices but when you're buried everything helps.

Have fun out there and be safe.

Respectfully
Harry Oakes
SAR Coordinator.