Avalanche Safety Tips

If you are planning on snowmobiling in mountainous areas, being prepared for the possibility of an avalanche is essential. For your safety and others, enroll in a snowmobile avalanche safety course.

Snowmobiles of any size or power and even if you are pointing in the right direction, cannot outrun many of the larger and faster avalanches.

Preparation is the Key

Learn to recognize avalanche terrain and heed avalanche warnings. Avoid these areas.

Check all transceivers each morning prior to your journey to ensure proper transmit and receive functions.

Prepare to travel in a group at all times. Every member needs proper equipment including a transceiver, shovel and a probe.

Plan your route prior to leaving. To ensure your safety, plan a route that remains close to dense timber.

Choose escape routes before beginning to cross unstable slopes.

Cross slopes one at a time if there is any doubt about the stability of a suspect slope.

Keeping in Contact

Always ride in mountainous terrain with a group. Maintain constant visual contact with members of your group throughout your excursion.

Leading the Way

Choose a leader within your group before you venture out. A group with a leader functions better than a group without a leader, particularly in the event of an emergency situation.

ESCAPING AN AVALANCHE OF SNOW

If you become caught in an avalanche, try to:

• Push yourself away from your sled to avoid being injured by it.
• Stay on the surface of the avalanche by using a swimming motion.
• Work yourself towards the side of the avalanche.
• Grab trees, rocks, etc. to avoid being tumbled down the slope.
• Keep your mouth closed and your teeth clenched.

When the avalanche slows, attempt to:

• Push yourself towards the surface.
• Make an air pocket in front of your face using one arm.
• Push the other arm towards the surface.

When the avalanche stops, begin to:

• Dig yourself out if you are unhurt.
• Relax your breathing, particularly if you cannot dig yourself out.
• Stay calm and shout only when a searcher is near.

Avalanche forecast information reports are available by calling:

1-800-667-1105
www.avalanche.ca