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Weather & Avalanche Notes
© Geoff Wayatt - MountainRec., Member: Canadian Avalanche Assoc.
 ©Geoff Wayatt, Mountainrec |
 ©Geoff Wayatt, Mountainrec |
Postcard from the Avalanche Edge , ©Geoff Wayatt July 1999
A recent report from IKAR, the International Commission for Alpine Rescue reported some interesting statistics worth consideration in regard to personal avalanche risk:
1997 -98: An estimated 137 fatalities occurred in IKAR member countries.
This number is lower than the average over the previous 20 years and confirms a downward trend in the number of avalanche accidents. Backcountry skiing again produced the largest number of accidents with 45% of the fatalities.
Avalanche Numbers Crunch! Swiss statistics show an average of 22 fatalities per year over the past 13 years, compared with the average of 25 fatalities between 1936 - 1998. During 1985 - 1998, 93% of the accidents occurred outside of controlled areas.
Of the 1376 persons, who were known to be involved with avalanches, roughly one third were not buried, on third were partially buried and one third were completely buried.
Of those completely buried, one half were found dead.
Boundary Riders at risk? About 90% of the backcountry skiers in Switzerland wear transceivers, however barely one half of the skiers who leave the ski area boundaries are equipped with transceivers!
i.e. The skiers and snowboarders leaving the ski areas without transceivers are putting themselves at a greater risk to avalanche successful avalanche rescue.
More than a Dog's life? Dogs have proved to be the most successful means of search in organized rescues, where dogs found 44% of the victims. (26% of them were alive and 76% dead.)
Up in the Air: The ABS avalanche balloon is said to be improved and can be used as a backpack. Numerous groups on Switzerland are using it. (reported by Frank Tschirky, Swiss Institute of Snow and Avalanche Research)
There are 13 known incidents with 18 persons who wore a balloon and were caught in avalanches. Of these persons, 14 were not buried or partially buried. Four persons were completely buried, but part of the balloon was visible on the surface, and that allowed a rapid rescue of the victims who had survived without significant injuries. It is recognized that balloons reduce the frequency and seriousness of burial and often allow the quick rescue by party members. It must be realised however, that the balloon does not prevent all avalanche deaths. For example it does not protect against collisions with trees or falls off cliffs or into deep crevasses. The Swiss Institute is developing theories on how the human body with a balloon would react in an avalanche.
"Tracker" on track: This new U.S. made digital transceiver is on the NZ market and has so far in my tests at Cardrona Ski Resort it has proven to be considerably simpler and faster to use for single person searches than analog units. If I had to buy a new unit, I'd buy this one. Seeing I've already got a Pieps 457 Opti, I wait another year or so before changing. Watch this space for updates.
Keep fit, Geoff Wayatt
