Item: Know Before You Go: Adapting Youth Avalanche Education for Alaska
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Title: Know Before You Go: Adapting Youth Avalanche Education for Alaska
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Sean Fallon [ Alaska Avalanche School , Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK ]
- Eeva Latosuo [ Alaska Avalanche School , Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: Increased accessibility and snow sports media expose more youth to dangerous avalanche terrain than ever before. Standard avalanche education has failed to target the age group (21-25) most commonly involved in fatal avalanche accidents. Traditional curriculum and methods of delivery must be adjusted to more effectively reach students ages 12-18 before they get into trouble. In an online survey conducted during 2010/2011 in South-central Alaska, 98% of survey respondents were strongly in favor of providing more youth targeted avalanche education in Alaska. In 2011/2012, Alaska Avalanche School and Alaska Pacific University developed a youth specific curriculum customized for Alaskans from Know Before You Go (KBYG), created by Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center. Through financial support from Hans Saari Fund and Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, six KBYG Awareness Lectures and two in-depth field courses called Backcountry 101, reached 160 students. From post-course evaluations and first-hand experience, a list of recommendations has been developed to enhance future youth avalanche education.
Object ID: issw-2012-788-794.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: youth, avalanche education, avalanche awareness, know before you go, alaska, alaska avalanche school
Page Number(s): 788-794
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