Item: Avalanche Accident Risk Reduction Tools in a North American Context
-
-
Title: Avalanche Accident Risk Reduction Tools in a North American Context
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Bob Uttl [ Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada ]
- Joanna McDouall [ Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada ]
- Christina Mitchell [ Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada ]
- Carmela A. White [ Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: Over the last decade, a number of avalanche risk reduction tools have been developed to assist recreational winter backcountry users avoid avalanche accidents, including the Avaluator Avalanche Accident Prevention Card (Haegeli & McCammon, 2006), Avaluator V2.0 (Haegeli, 2010), the Nivo Test (Bolognesi, 2001, 2007), and Munter’s Reduction Method (Munter, 1997, 2003). These tools are based on different sets of assumptions and data, focus on widely varied pieces of information, and use different processes to arrive at their respective recommendations for safe travel. McCammon and Haegeli (2005) evaluated some of these methods using North American avalanche accident records but unfortunately they inappropriately deleted all accidents with missing data from their data set (e.g., if an accident record did not state whether or not there was any new snow, they simply deleted it) (see Uttl et al., 2008, 2009, 2010). We reviewed and evaluated these and other avalanche risk reduction tools in a North American context using over 1,000 Canadian and US avalanche accident records as well as computer simulations and modeling. We discuss the implications of our findings for avalanche safety training programs.
Object ID: issw-2012-834-839.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: accident prevention, risk reduction tools, risk, decision making
Page Number(s): 834-839
Subjects: avalanche risk avalanche safety program
-