In Suspect Terrain : Take the time you need to: –Make a plan- scout from several spots –Post a spotter or 2 –Find real safe zones to aim for that have good visibility

In Suspect Terrain : Ski one at a timeSki one at a time Have pre-set clear signals, try a talkabout radio for help with the line Have pre-set clear signals, try a talkabout radio for help with the line Don’t ski above your partners Don’t ski above your partners Pole straps and ski leashes off Pole straps and ski leashes off Ski carefully and lightlySki carefully and lightly

SELF RESCUE Yell while you attempt to ski out of the moving snowYell while you attempt to ski out of the moving snow Get rid of skis and poles, or snowboard Get rid of skis and poles, or snowboard Fight hard! (swimming motion) Fight hard! (swimming motion) Keep day pack/ditch expedition pack Keep day pack/ditch expedition pack Create air space, hand to surface Create air space, hand to surface Stay calm, breathe slowly, dig to surface if you can Stay calm, breathe slowly, dig to surface if you can

Companion/beacon rescue Source: CAIC Only a member of your party or a companion will likely save your life (68 %) cover (15%) 5.

Source: AAA Search times in 100mx100m area …and most likely only if you have an avalanche transceiver Companion/beacon rescue 6.

Time in minutes % Recovered Alive Source: AAA (422 completely buried victims) If recovered within 15 minutes, chances of survival are almost 92% At 35 minutes, survival rate drops to 37% After that, the success rate is extremely low. Companion/beacon rescue …but if you get to them fast enough, you can save them 7.

COMPANION RESCUE Two priorities: Safety of Rescuers and SPEEDTwo priorities: Safety of Rescuers and SPEED Ask the 5 questions (see next slide)Ask the 5 questions (see next slide) Appoint a leader who will:Appoint a leader who will: - interview observers - information point person - big picture person - prepare for rescuing a cold/c-spine injured person Quick search is the most important first stepQuick search is the most important first step - likely burial spots - surface clues (do not move them, but check beneath)

5 Questions: 1.Is the scene safe? 2.How many victims? Wearing transceivers? 3.Last seen point? 4.Transceivers to receive or OFF? 5.Cell phones off?

Rescue - responsibilities Multi Person Group Appoint a leaderAppoint a leader 5 questions5 questions beacon and scuff search - leave clues in place - relay information - acknowledgebeacon and scuff search - leave clues in place - relay information - acknowledge Bring your gearBring your gear A,B,C’s, turn off transceiver and look for other victimsA,B,C’s, turn off transceiver and look for other victims Secondary Survey -1st Aid and evacuate if necessarySecondary Survey -1st Aid and evacuate if necessary Report the avalancheReport the avalanche Two Person Group Go or no goGo or no go Survey the avalanche for cluesSurvey the avalanche for clues Turn to receive and begin beacon/scuff searchTurn to receive and begin beacon/scuff search Bring your gearBring your gear A,B,C’sA,B,C’s Secondary survey - 1st Aid and evacuate if necessarySecondary survey - 1st Aid and evacuate if necessary Report the avalanche - local SAR - the avalanche - local SAR -

Primary search Signal picked up here, Secondary search begins Pinpoint search 11.

PRIMARY SEARCH - OBTAINING A SIGNAL Establish range (R) from transceiver range check in worst coupling position (transceivers perpendicular to one another) R R R 2R R R NO SKISSKIS MULTIPLE SEARCHERS LPS

Beacon Search Primary: Search patterns before obtaining a signalPrimary: Search patterns before obtaining a signal Communicate findings to leader-”I have a signal!” Leader- acknowledge back.Communicate findings to leader-”I have a signal!” Leader- acknowledge back. Bring your gear with you - a probe and shovel are no good at the top of the slopeBring your gear with you - a probe and shovel are no good at the top of the slope

Tips on the grid search: understand your beacon

Signal strength depends upon orientation maximum Colorado Avalanche Information Center

minimum When the receiving unit is 90º to the sending unit’s field, the signal strength will be at a minimum for that location. Signal strength depends upon orientation Colorado Avalanche Information Center

When the receiving unit is 90º to the sending unit’s field, the signal strength will be at a minimum for that location. Signal in X axis depends on Orientation The “Fountain” will give 2 low numbers Colorado Avalanche Information Center

When the receiving unit is 90º to the sending unit’s field, the signal strength will be at a minimum for that location. Signal in X axis depends on Orientation The “Rainbow” will give 1 low number Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Pinpoint search: Be Consistent with Orientation Go slow to Go Fast Is it a Rainbow or a Fountain?

PROBING Know how to put probe together,Know how to put probe together, Probe “slope normal”, be methodicalProbe “slope normal”, be methodical Be gentle- you are probing for people not crevassesBe gentle- you are probing for people not crevasses SPOT PROBING for likely burial spotsSPOT PROBING for likely burial spots Upside of trees and rocks Benches in the track and runout zone Toe of debris Outside of curves in the track In line with surface clues If you make contact, leave probe in place and throw snow downhill. The deeper the burial, the bigger the hole needs to be.If you make contact, leave probe in place and throw snow downhill. The deeper the burial, the bigger the hole needs to be.

COARSE PROBING For a victim without a beacon, is usually a body recovery

Edge on ground with beacon

Recovery and Evacuation Priority for recovered victimsPriority for recovered victims - ABC's and hypothermia - Find other victims - continue patient care/evacuation - will you need outside assistance? report the incident to local search and rescue and the incident to local search and rescue and

Dry Gulch Loveland Pass, Colorado