Item: TEMPERING COGNITIVE BIAS WITH BEST-PRACTICE, A SURVEY OF ALASKAN BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS & RIDERS
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Title: TEMPERING COGNITIVE BIAS WITH BEST-PRACTICE, A SURVEY OF ALASKAN BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS & RIDERS
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Forest Wagner [ Glenn Wright ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: This paper describes survey data collected over four winter seasons (2019-2022) from 736 responses of backcountry skiers and riders across Alaska. In an effort to determine how human and cognitive factors impact decisions in the backcountry, we asked a series of survey questions including demographics; questions about winter backcountry practices; and avalanche skills, equipment, training, and risk perception. Of note, around a third of our respondents had been in an avalanche regardless of gender and age. Respondents with greater exposure to avalanche conditions (because of greater frequency and duration of backcountry winter recreation) were more likely to be caught in an avalanche or have a near miss. Many of our respondents used decision-making paradigms (ALPTRUTH/ Red Flags) and mitigation and communication technologies (avalanche transceivers, airbags, radios, satellite communication, GPS) to manage the inherent risks of avalanche terrain and the complexities of the backcountry, though use of these tools was not associated with a lower likelihood of being caught in an avalanche. Almost all of our respondents had some level of avalanche education, most had a Recreationalist Level 1, while some were advanced recreationalists and professionals. As our survey data suggests, the adoption of best practice protocols in avalanche terrain has been partly successful, though we find that respondents with greater avalanche education are more likely to be caught in avalanches, even after controlling for frequency and duration of backcountry winter recreation. Avalanche education should be a continued focus of social science research as applied to the psychological and sociological motivations of backcountry skiers and riders.
Object ID: ISSW2024_O11.12.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Forest Wagner
Keywords: .
Page Number(s): 1511 - 1517
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