How to Coordinate a Search After an Avalanche

If you encounter an avalanche while helicopter skiing, it's important to follow the proper procedure if you need to search for someone.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• VHF Radios
• Walkie-talkies
• First Aid Kits
• Avalanche Beacon
• Avalanche Probe
• Sports Referee Whistles

1. Free yourself first if you are in anyway buried or stuck; that way you can join the others in the search.
2. Communicate with your group members to see that those not buried are OK.
3. Do a head count. A quick way to count is to first think of your buddy, who should have been skiing close to you. If everyone has his or her buddy and everyone in your group is accounted for, you can consider yourselves lucky.
4. Radio your guide or the helicopter pilot with the radio in the guide pack or in the pack carried by the last skier in your group. Tell him or her there has been an avalanche and you are searching for lost skiers.
5. Instruct everyone to turn avalanche beacons to the "receive" or "seek" position.
6. Fan out and begin the search process. (See "How To Search with Your Avalanche Beacon.")
7. Perform any necessary first aid when you have reached all of the buried skiers, using the kit in one of the guide packs - then get to a place where proper medical care can be given.

Tips & Warnings

• If skiers are buried in two separate areas, split the search party into two equal groups.
• If your avalanche beacon is left in the "send" position rather than the proper "receive" signal, you will cause your search party to receive a false signal. They will be searching for you and not the avalanche victims.