How-to

Avalanche rescue

September 29, 2020

Three splitboarder trekking through snowy landscape with a mountain in the background.

Photo - CorsoGraphics

Avalanche rescue steps

  1. Scene size up - Is it safe to rescue?
  2. Pick a rescue leader.
  3. Switch beacon to search mode.
  4. Start beacon search.
  5. Zig-zag beacon search.
  6. Locate beacon within two meters - begin probe search.
  7. Strike at 90°.
  8. When probe strike, start shoveling.
  9. Begin digging 1.5 times the burial depth downhill from the probe strike. Extract victim carefully.
  10. Check A,B,C: Airway, Breathing Circulation (pulse).
  11. Start CPR if need: 30:2 chest compress to rescue breath at rate of 100 compress per min.
  12. Assess for traumatic injuries, keep victim warm and rescue by helicopter if possible.
 
A simple black silhouette of a person standing.

(5) Zig-zag beacon search

A= 100ft / 30m B = 50ft / 15m

Black silhouette of a person.

(6) Locate beacon within two meters

Begin probe search A = 10’’ / 25cm

Personne saving someone stuck under snow.

(7) Strike at 90°

 

A simple illustration of a silhouette.

(8) When probe strike, start shoveling

Emergency call

USA / Canada

911

Europe

112

Japan

119

Emergency signal

Green stick figure with arms raised in celebration.

Yes

Red stick figure raising one arm.

No