Avalanche saftey and snow condition on slopes

Avalanche can happen to any one that rides in the back country.

The number one cause of avalanche accident happen to people that are High marking the hill. 60% of all deaths from snowmobiling are from avalanches.

Any time that you ride slope 25% and greater in unstable snow you are looking for trouble. Yes we have all done this and later said to our self someone must have be looking after us.

Some time you feel the peel pressure from your friends. One thing you want to remember is luck will one day run out and you may be one of the 60% avalanche deaths.

For the beginning riders any slope 25% can avalanche. Slopes 35% to 45% are the ones all of use want to play on.

Some of the things that you will want to beware of is heavy snow fall overnight. The first snow of the season was it wet heavy snow or cold dry snow.

Look for recent avalanches when you see a slope that was slide chances are the rest will avalanche if ridden on.

When riding in windy condition beware of snow blown hill side and stay away from steep sided creek bottoms. And gullies that do not have a good run out, when an avalanche happens we can be deeply buried .

Heavy rain can cause slope to avalanche. Cracks or fracture line in the hill indicate the snow is sliding between snow layers.

When hill climbing on any slope always climb one person at a time. Never climb above anyone that is stuck on the slope. This may cause the slope to avalanche if you must help your partner climb up to the same elevation just over from then and beware that the slope may avalanche at any time.

NEVER stop below or above the rider. The snow may not be able to hold the sleds causing an avalanche.

When riding in the back country and on slopes. You should be educated in avalanche conditions and know how to use avalanche beacon.

To be good at using the beacon you need to practice. You can have the best beacon made but if you do not know how to use it?

When you ride in groups of four or five make sure that everybody has a beacon and knows how to use it.

Your life may depend on it.

When you plan your ride confirm that everybody was the rescue gear is working both transmit and receive and know how to use it because your life may depend on it.

The avalanche equipment that every boon-docker and high marker uses, Beacon, a good snow shovel, a set of snow probes. And the knowledge on how to use then in emergence situation.

If or when you are caught in an avalanche this is what you want and try to do.

Try and ride to safely one way is to ride to the side of avalanche.

If you get separated from your machine. Try and swim on the surface of the snow while it is still moving. Try and roll on to your back the chance of survival is greater.

At the time the snow slows up try and thrust some part of your body to the surface. Use your arm to try and create airspace and try to expand your chest.

The most in important thing is do not panic. One of the best thing to remember is your partner will find you because he is an expert with the survival equipment.

For the rescuers first you must stay calm. Watch the victim and establish last known area.

Before you start your search be sure that the slope will not slide again if there is more slope above the avalanche you maybe a second victim. Start from were you last saw the victim start by looking for boots, glove. Body parts, victims sled. Start your search using your beacon. Search the same way you have been practicing.

If you do not find a signal or if the beacon was separated from the victim. Then you will need to start by probing in the most likely location. Around sled area, benches, dips, tree wells and at the end of avalanche area.

When the victim is located you will want to dig as fast as you can,His or her life depends on you. TRY AND DIG OUT THE FACE AND CHEST FIRST.

When you are just watching always park in a safe place. Never park at the bottom of any hill or slope that people are climbing on. Or on hills that have every sign of avalanching.