| If you've ever heard the terrifying rumbling of an | | | | well be lucky enough to survive an avalanche, but if it |
| avalanche you won't be surprised that avalanches can | | | | takes rescuers a long time to locate you then your |
| travel at speeds of up to 300 km per hour (almost | | | | chances of survival will diminish as the clock ticks |
| 200 mph), measure up to 100 metres high (over 300 | | | | away. There are more advanced pieces of |
| feet) and weigh millions of tonnes. In most cases, it is | | | | equipment on the market, such as special vests to |
| impossible to out ski them, outrun them, or even get | | | | assist with breathing, or the old standbys like |
| away fast enough on a skimobile. Avalanches are so | | | | avalanche cords. |
| powerful that their velocity can tear trees from their | | | | A transceiver (transmitter/receiver), also known as a |
| roots, flatten buildings, and destroy anything in their | | | | beacon, EPIRB, or GPS, is strapped to your body and |
| path. What chance does a mere human on skis stand | | | | emits a signal which could mean the difference |
| against such a force of nature? When we plan our | | | | between life and death in locating a victim and digging |
| skiing trips we take out travel insurance, pay a little | | | | them out. A GPS mobile phone might also be of use |
| extra for the winter sports coverage, and then tend | | | | in alerting emergency services. A special lightweight |
| to forget about the potential dangers of being in the | | | | shovel works better than skis, ski poles or anything |
| mountains. | | | | else when trying to dig through several feet of snow. |
| The sad fact is that if you see an avalanche | | | | A probe is a thin pole which can be assembled into a |
| thundering down towards you, you may well have | | | | longer pole and used to find those buried in the snow. |
| triggered it in the first place! If you are an avid | | | | Most deaths from avalanches are not caused by their |
| off-piste skier or boarder, the best you can do is to | | | | impact but by suffocation (asphyxia) or by hitting |
| be prepared in case you find yourself caught in one. | | | | rocks, trees, or other hard objects during the fall. |
| You're much more likely to be involved in an accident | | | | Suffocation is caused by breathing your own exhaled |
| while travelling to or from your ski destination than | | | | carbon dioxide in a confined airspace. Other common |
| caught in an avalanche - but that's little consolation | | | | causes of fatalities in avalanches are hypothermia and |
| for avalanche victims and their families. | | | | serious physical injuries such as fractures of the neck |
| There are many myths about avalanches. Despite | | | | or ribs. |
| what you might see in Hollywood movies, avalanches | | | | There are hundreds of avalanches in the Alps, in |
| are not triggered by shouting but they can be | | | | North America and Canada and throughout the world |
| triggered by the sound waves of explosions at close | | | | each year. They are often triggered by climbers, |
| range. Another myth is that you should spit if buried | | | | snowmobilers and off piste skiers. Even with an |
| in an avalanche to find out which way is up. Even if | | | | experienced guide along, the dangers of skiing off |
| you are able to spit, it won't do you much good if | | | | piste or onto glaciers cannot always be foreseen, but |
| you're buried deeply because the snow around you | | | | you'll have a better chance of staying out of trouble. |
| will be as solid as a wall. You won't be able to move | | | | Each year there are reports of skiers buried in |
| let alone dig yourself out - unless you are lucky | | | | avalanches and falling into crevasses. Being stuck in a |
| enough to have landed close to the surface. | | | | crevasse could seriously mess up your après |
| The amount of survival equipment you choose to | | | | ski fun! All ski resorts post warnings regarding |
| carry is a personal decision and it's a good idea to | | | | weather conditions, avalanche risks, and off-piste |
| check for any new inventions or recommendations | | | | skiing. It is your responsibility to check these warnings |
| online or at your favorite outdoor or ski shop before | | | | before setting off because failing to do so may |
| setting off. The three basic pieces of emergency | | | | invalidate your travel insurance and winter sports |
| equipment (at the time of writing) usually include a | | | | cover if the worst should happen. |
| folding shovel, a probe, and a transceiver, You may | | | | |