Item: 10 Common Missteps of Avalanche Practitioners
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Title: 10 Common Missteps of Avalanche Practitioners
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Todd L. Guyn [ Canadian Mountain Holidays, Banff, AB, Canada ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: Avalanche practitioners work in a hazardous environment, characterized by a large degree of uncertainty. While extensive operational efforts are undertaken to minimize uncertainty, it cannot be eliminated. As a consequence, accidents and incidents will continue to befall this challenging workplace. There are often many different contributing factors to any avalanche incident, but the one constant is the presence of man. The purpose of this presentation is to outline and discuss 10 common missteps or errors avalanche practitioners and winter mountain travelers make in the course of their career or life. To identify the most common missteps, a short questionnaire was distributed among 70 IFMGA mountain guides or ACMG ski guides with 10 or more years working in a production Helicopter skiing company in a team environment. The company averages 6000-7000 guests in a guided wilderness skiing setting per season spread over 11 different operations. It has been operating 52 years with an annual guiding staff of 125 certified guides. None of the factors discussed fall exclusively within the snow science area, but are rather the results of the interaction between the avalanche hazard and the people working and traveling in the mountain environment. Although the discussion of bias is not new in the social science realm of the avalanche world, it is insightful to review and reflect on observations of the seasoned practitioners themselves.
Object ID: ISSW16_O10.04.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Avalanche, Awareness, Patience
Page Number(s): 241-245
Subjects: avalanche awareness decision-making errors questionnaire study
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