Helmet cam Vid of Real Avalanche and Rescue

[jjue]

As skiboards become more and more competent in deep pow , there will be more of us riding deep pow at the resorts , and out of bounds in the backcountry.
Here is an unsual true life vid . The skier was wearing a helmet cam , got caught in an avalanche and was then rescued. He was totally immobilzed by the snow and unable to use his hands , he did have an avalung and was breathing through that until rescued. His rescuers were right on top of him with beacons and shovels and located and rescued him within 5 min which was excellent.

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Learning about avalanche safety , and avalanche equipment , and most importantly avoiding avalanches will become increasingly important as we skiboarders take to the backcountry.

[pinkkid]

Thanks Jack!
And that is why I stick to trails, too risky for this kid. But I know backcountry is a total rush and a thrill and amazing.... have at it; I will enjoy watching you on TV someday skiboarding backcountry!

[EmptiMind]

Gah, that video is intense. The speed in which he was rescued was great, but man, can you imagine being buried for 5 minutes unable to move. I don't know if I could handle it. I'd probably hyperventilate, and pass out.

[SkaFreak]

Yeah, 5 minutes is a good solid time to have someone out. Pretty much you have 15 minutes until the chances of survival greatly decrease. There was a really crazy story about a week ago about a full triple burial. All three guys riding got stuck, so nobody up top to aid in rescue. The three of them managed to self rescue, and at least one is probably only alive because of his avalung. One of the burials (I suspect the one with the avalung) was under 9 feet. Those things are truly a big leap in avalanche survival gear.

[shaggy433]

Learning about avalanche safety , and avalanche equipment , and most importantly avoiding avalanches will become increasingly important as we skiboarders take to the backcountry.



Thanks Jack!
And that is why I stick to trails, too risky for this kid. But I know backcountry is a total rush and a thrill and amazing.... have at it; I will enjoy watching you on TV someday skiboarding backcountry!

There have been deaths this year inbounds at Jackson Hole, Squaw, and Alta/Snowbird. I think its a good thing for us all to know that are going to any large resort. You can never have too much knowledge. I think that if there was an avy 1 safety course someone close by me I would take it just for when I go to some of the bigger resorts.

[ElkCloner]

It would take a lot of convincing to get me to ride in that kinda territory

[Mark]

can you imagine being buried in snow with your skis still on your feet ? that would make moving pretty much impossible.

[ElkCloner]

I got sick just watching it

[nate]

Jack, do you use an avalung when you ride backcountry?

[jjue]

Jack, do you use an avalung when you ride backcountry?

No , I don't , Nate , but I am rethinking things ..
there are four of us who ride together all the time in the sierra backcountry , and now my 15 year old son , as well , who is a snowboarder.
we are all equipped with shovels , probes , and beacons ,
one guy also has an avalung in addition to the other gear.

[nate]

Geeze, talk about your skis immobilizing you, a snowboard would be even worse! Though I guess immobile is immobile.

[jjue]

Geeze, talk about your skis immobilizing you, a snowboard would be even worse! Though I guess immobile is immobile.

Yes the advantages of skiboards and skis with release bindings is that they release and do not keep dragging you down , if you use them with leashes and not brakes , you need a leash that will break , like the one I posted a thread about

snowboards are a big problem as they will definitely stay attached to your feet and thus cause more of a drag effect pulling you down , ...

in the tahoe sierra , we are blessed with a reasonably stable snow pack compared to the lighter snow of colorado and utah . and avalanche deaths are rarer ..

[jjue]

Speaking of Avalungs , they are a bit of a pain , one more thing strapped to your body and fussing with it while adding or taking off layers of clothing is a pain .. now , black diamond sells packs where the avalung is integrated into the shoulder strap .. this may be what I have been waiting for ...

http://www.wildsnow.com/1628/black-diamond-avalung-review-alias/

[nate]

Yea, was looking at those on backcountry.com, seems like you're already wearing a backpack whenever you're out in those kinds of conditions, no real reason to not have one with avalung, save the price.

[SkaFreak]

Yeah, I'm thinking about picking up a pack with one.

[EmptiMind]

I was looking into the packs as well. So expensive! But, then again, it could end up saving you.