Weather Wise: Avalanche Safety part 1

Heading into the backcountry holds inherent risk. In this week's Weather Wise we walk side by side with a class as they learn about avalanche danger.

"Awareness is important because more and more we get so many people going into the backcountry," says Avalanche Safety Instructor, Don Paul.

This past weekend Don Paul, a Helena native and member of the National Ski Patrol, taught a 3 day course on avalanche safety.

"I limit the class to 12, but I had like 25 that wanted to attend," says Paul.

All twelve attendees said they are getting ready to head out into the backcountry, and want to know the risk involved.

"I've skied a couple of times in the back country, and once I realized that there are pretty serious consequences, I haven't since," says Class Attendee, Marah Cannole.

"I want to get into more back country riding, and I figure I better know what I'm doing if I wanna go back there," says Class Attendee, Ryan Seyler.

Since 2002, an average of 25 people have died in the US each year because of avalanches. Some die due to trauma, but several die because of lack of oxygen.

"If you can find somebody within the first 15 minutes and dig them out. They have an excellent chance at survival," says Paul.

Day two of the class consisted of lectures, object lessons, movies, and beacon searching basics.

"It's not going to just lead you towards the person, you have to know if you're going to go forward or it might send, it might have an error going backwards," says Connole.
 
A beacon signal changes depending on how deep a person is buried, their orientation under the snow, and even the way the searcher walks and moves.

"And if there are multiple burials, then it gets even more tricky," says Connole.

The second half of the 26 hour class took place at Great Divide, giving students a hands on and realistic way to apply the skills they learned in the classroom. Next week, join us on the ski hill to watch the class apply their knowledge. And now, you're a little more Weather Wise. 

Story by Ellen Bacca, Beartooth NBC. 
Sponsored by Collision Pro of Helena.
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