Did you know that an avalanche can travel up to 80 miles per hour within five seconds? An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow that moves down a hill or a mountain. These incidents are usually triggered when a person’s body weight providing just enough extra stress to collapse the weaker layer below, or from a prior snow storm that has left over a foot of snow and the snow is too heavy for the section and eventually collapses. Avalanches are responsible for over 150 deaths a year. Mass movements such as avalanches are unpredictable and hard to dodge once there in the pathway of any individual. States such as Colorado, California, Wyoming, and Washington experience deadly avalanches in the mountain areas or even popular ski resorts.
Although, Colorado is one of the most popular tourist states to go skiing, hiking, snowboarding, or even possible retirement for many, one still has to take safety precautions when visiting or living in this area. Building a resilient community in these areas will only promote continued visits and deter any future fatalities.
Safety Tips for Possible Avalanche Rescue
· Evaluate the avalanche hazard conditions before attempting a rescue.
· Extremely steep slopes particularly in shaded areas near a ridge are also risky.
· Always travel with a partner
· Wear an avalanche rescue beacon that can signal your exact location in case you are lost. (Always have extra batteries and ensure that you have signal strength)
· Carry a small shovel and a long probe to locate a person who may have become buried.
· If caught in a slide, try to get off the slab or grab a tree.
· If swept away, swim to the surface.
If you’re caught in an avalanche, try to:
· Draw as much attention to yourself as you can.
· React fast, attempt to ride out of the slide.
· If you lose control, separate yourself from your snowmobile, skis or any other equipment.
· FIGHT HARD with swimming motions, trying to stay on top of the snow.
· Control your breathing to conserve your oxygen, relax because once snow settles on top it eventually turns into concrete.
Following these steps can save lives or even your life.
Below you can find a video of an actual avalanche and its great speed and tenacity. Enjoy!!!
Cites
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/avalanche-profile/
http://www.pto.hu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/lavina.jpg
Rochanda, I cannot imagine being in the path of a mass of snow and personally believe I would find it difficult to control my breathing. I appreciate your tips. My question is, if I live in an area prone to snow avalanches, what advice would you give me to help my community be more resilient?
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