combatpoodle/gist:0ee90387665debae3fb6d44a3f751801

## gistfile1.txt

What do I need to know to stay safe in the backcountry?

This is a common and extremely important question for newcomers, so I'm going to post this and maybe we can pin it or something of that sort and update it over time with input from those with more knowledge than me.

Initially I'd say to go out with people who do have a current AIARE avy 1 under their belt, will ensure you're properly taught and trained in how to travel with and use your safety and communications gear (being Idaho, cell service is a premium), and who can teach you what to look out for in the snowpack both in the avalanche reports in pre-planning, and point out in the snowpack itself both indications of the accuracy of the reports, or indications that the reports may not be accurate - leading you to either keep your travel plans as set (if the snowpack is better than expected), or scale back travel plans to preplanned B or C goals if the snowpack isn't as expected. You'll also get introduced to various planning tools in this: probably CalTopo, Gaia GPS (you'll want the Pro subscription so you can do map overlays and have slope angles over top of your topos), and a good GPS or GPS watch to help with navigation off of your topo. Have a decent picture in your head of what the mountains look like from google earth's 3d feature and learn to correlate that to topo maps and slope angles so you'll be less likely to get disoriented during travel; and mark waypoints either by coordinates, altitudes, or both with a sharpie on your arm/hand so you have a quick reference as needed.

On your own, learn to use your beacon in a proper search pattern (BCA and various others have some youtube videos on how to do this - there are disagreements over various specific patterns, but finding one that works well for you and is effective in practice is really what counts - as long as you're staying within standard ranges); and observer how and why to probe and shovel properly from the same. Expect to practice this with any new partners, because their lives are in your hands. Watch the forecasts from the various avalanche centers and learn what they mean - even if the snow science is too much, just being up to date on the current forecast statements, avalanche activity in the area you're going to, and the danger levels at various elevations is really key. There's a common book called "Staying alive in avalanche terrain" that's got a lot of good info in it.

In general, the courses you'll take on avy/BC skiing will teach you that there are a series of safety nets you'll have to fall through in order to have a major accident due to a slide. Initially, to avoid an accident you'll want to have a safe travel plan in place which minimizes travel through terrain having avalanche risk. As you're traveling, make observations, gather information, etc - all of which you can use to scale back plans or make larger plans for future trips, but don't use it to expand plans for the current day as you may just be seeing isolated features which are not accurate depictions of terrain you have not seen yet (this is covered really well in avy 2). Be respectful of the group you're with - make sure you're listening and ask for others' input and always make sure that there's consensus on the plan as you're going - don't pressure anyone into a situation they're not comfortable with, and if someone has concerns go with that - they may just be saving everyone's lives.

There are a number of social and human judgement fallacies that often come into play in avalanche accidents as well - too many to address here. Overall it's best to listen to your own judgement as to when something feels unsafe and voice it; don't rely on someone else to - regardless of your experience level.

The last layer of safety past planning, falling back on safer terrain choices, group dynamics, and safe travel techniques (spacing out in potential avy terrain and regrouping at safe points), is when the worst strikes to be prepared and have your muscle memory down with your rescue gear and when you see your friend or loved one start to go for a ride. Beforehand, stay practiced with your beacon, probing, shoveling technique, first aid, and at a minimum have a tourniquet or two on you (I carry two of these in my pocket http://a.co/d/16PmgYQ - they're the most recent revision for SAR/military plus a CPR mask along with my SAR trauma kit - israeli bandages, hyfin vents, clotting sponges, SAM splints, and a variety of backcountry splint options) - but this is extremely dependent on your training. Be up to date on your CPR and first aid, and have a good method of getting in contact with outside help - whether that's an epirb beacon (fastest), delorme, spot, or radio.

Keep your eyes on the victim[s], rapidly (ie 10 seconds) organize and determine scene safety (don't get hit by a secondary if the thing was set off by someone cutting crowns above you or something stupid), switch to search mode, mark points last seen, and begin searching. Communicate when you find any artifacts indicating direction of travel and leave them in place so you can come back to them if needed.

The key words if you have someone in bad shape are "I need the nearest available air ambulance or air evacuation to a hospital" - and make sure if you send GPS coordinates you also communicate your datum and be calm when communicating decimals, degrees, and minutes so that your transport gets to the right place. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, always.

All that said, this is just a quick late-night info dump. I *highly* recommend training through SMG, Chago and Marie's classes at Mores/Pilots, Payette Powder Guides, or any other AIARE-certified group, along with keeping your CPR/first aid up to date and maybe even a WFA or WFR if that's something that interests you.

For others (especially those more experienced than me) who have input, it's *very* welcome - add it in the comments. I'm just a rando guy with limited experience, but hoping to help everyone on here be able to level up and be safe as the community is growing.

	What do I need to know to stay safe in the backcountry?

	This is a common and extremely important question for newcomers, so I'm going to post this and maybe we can pin it or something of that sort and update it over time with input from those with more knowledge than me.

	Initially I'd say to go out with people who do have a current AIARE avy 1 under their belt, will ensure you're properly taught and trained in how to travel with and use your safety and communications gear (being Idaho, cell service is a premium), and who can teach you what to look out for in the snowpack both in the avalanche reports in pre-planning, and point out in the snowpack itself both indications of the accuracy of the reports, or indications that the reports may not be accurate - leading you to either keep your travel plans as set (if the snowpack is better than expected), or scale back travel plans to preplanned B or C goals if the snowpack isn't as expected. You'll also get introduced to various planning tools in this: probably CalTopo, Gaia GPS (you'll want the Pro subscription so you can do map overlays and have slope angles over top of your topos), and a good GPS or GPS watch to help with navigation off of your topo. Have a decent picture in your head of what the mountains look like from google earth's 3d feature and learn to correlate that to topo maps and slope angles so you'll be less likely to get disoriented during travel; and mark waypoints either by coordinates, altitudes, or both with a sharpie on your arm/hand so you have a quick reference as needed.

	On your own, learn to use your beacon in a proper search pattern (BCA and various others have some youtube videos on how to do this - there are disagreements over various specific patterns, but finding one that works well for you and is effective in practice is really what counts - as long as you're staying within standard ranges); and observer how and why to probe and shovel properly from the same. Expect to practice this with any new partners, because their lives are in your hands. Watch the forecasts from the various avalanche centers and learn what they mean - even if the snow science is too much, just being up to date on the current forecast statements, avalanche activity in the area you're going to, and the danger levels at various elevations is really key. There's a common book called "Staying alive in avalanche terrain" that's got a lot of good info in it.

	In general, the courses you'll take on avy/BC skiing will teach you that there are a series of safety nets you'll have to fall through in order to have a major accident due to a slide. Initially, to avoid an accident you'll want to have a safe travel plan in place which minimizes travel through terrain having avalanche risk. As you're traveling, make observations, gather information, etc - all of which you can use to scale back plans or make larger plans for future trips, but don't use it to expand plans for the current day as you may just be seeing isolated features which are not accurate depictions of terrain you have not seen yet (this is covered really well in avy 2). Be respectful of the group you're with - make sure you're listening and ask for others' input and always make sure that there's consensus on the plan as you're going - don't pressure anyone into a situation they're not comfortable with, and if someone has concerns go with that - they may just be saving everyone's lives.

	There are a number of social and human judgement fallacies that often come into play in avalanche accidents as well - too many to address here. Overall it's best to listen to your own judgement as to when something feels unsafe and voice it; don't rely on someone else to - regardless of your experience level.

	The last layer of safety past planning, falling back on safer terrain choices, group dynamics, and safe travel techniques (spacing out in potential avy terrain and regrouping at safe points), is when the worst strikes to be prepared and have your muscle memory down with your rescue gear and when you see your friend or loved one start to go for a ride. Beforehand, stay practiced with your beacon, probing, shoveling technique, first aid, and at a minimum have a tourniquet or two on you (I carry two of these in my pocket http://a.co/d/16PmgYQ - they're the most recent revision for SAR/military plus a CPR mask along with my SAR trauma kit - israeli bandages, hyfin vents, clotting sponges, SAM splints, and a variety of backcountry splint options) - but this is extremely dependent on your training. Be up to date on your CPR and first aid, and have a good method of getting in contact with outside help - whether that's an epirb beacon (fastest), delorme, spot, or radio.

	Keep your eyes on the victim[s], rapidly (ie 10 seconds) organize and determine scene safety (don't get hit by a secondary if the thing was set off by someone cutting crowns above you or something stupid), switch to search mode, mark points last seen, and begin searching. Communicate when you find any artifacts indicating direction of travel and leave them in place so you can come back to them if needed.

	The key words if you have someone in bad shape are "I need the nearest available air ambulance or air evacuation to a hospital" - and make sure if you send GPS coordinates you also communicate your datum and be calm when communicating decimals, degrees, and minutes so that your transport gets to the right place. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, always.

	All that said, this is just a quick late-night info dump. I highly recommend training through SMG, Chago and Marie's classes at Mores/Pilots, Payette Powder Guides, or any other AIARE-certified group, along with keeping your CPR/first aid up to date and maybe even a WFA or WFR if that's something that interests you.

	For others (especially those more experienced than me) who have input, it's very welcome - add it in the comments. I'm just a rando guy with limited experience, but hoping to help everyone on here be able to level up and be safe as the community is growing.