Item: Let's break tradition and save more lives: Using snowmobiles for avalanche rescue
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Title: Let's break tradition and save more lives: Using snowmobiles for avalanche rescue
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Mike Duffy [ Avalanche1.com ]
- Bruce Edgerly [ Backcountry Access, Inc. ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: Traditionally, snowmobiles have been used for decades to access accident sites. Once on site, the search is traditionally conducted on foot. We have developed techniques to use snowmobiles in the search stage to cut rescue times. We present three ways sleds can be used to cut precious minutes in an avalanche rescue: 1) accessing the debris for immediate visual/signal search; 2) moving searchers to locations quickly; and 3) performing a perimeter signal search by snowmobile, taking measures to prevent electrical interference from the snowmobile engine. We have used these techniques in numerous environments: avalanche incidents, organized rescues, AvSAR trainings, and in practice scenarios with BCA employees. In timed tests at the Silverton Avalanche School, searchers using snowmobiles have recovered five buried "victims" within five minutes. Without snowmobiles in these scenarios, it would have taken at least 15 minutes for a SAR team on skis to even reach the accident site. Helicopters are an important tool in AvSAR organizations around the world. But they are not always available and weather can often suspend operations. Snowmobiles can operate in a variety of weather conditions. AvSAR organizations should ensure that their teams are trained in the use of snowmobiles for avalanche rescue in addition to the use of helicopters, skis, and other methods of transport. Once on scene, when used properly, snowmobiles can significantly reduce search times, especially in large avalanche scenarios.
Object ID: ISSW2018_P16.3.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Snowmobile, snowmachine, Ski-Doo, avalanche rescue, snowmobile rescue, avalanche search and rescue, AvSAR
Page Number(s): 1404-1408
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