7. You can Prevent a SIS Accident

  1. SULLIVAN_MT_Baker_2012_-101.jpgThe easiest was to avoid a SIS accident is to remain on groomed areas and avoid deep snow and tree well areas. 
  2. Be aware of the recent snowfall and the depth of the loose snow - check local resources for recent snow conditions.
  3. If you venture into UNGROOMED terrain:

SULLIVAN_MT_Baker_2012_-117.jpg
 
  1. Ride or ski with a partner and keep your partner in sight at all times.
  2. Ski or ride in control.
  3. Give tree wells a wide berth. Look at the open spaces between trees not at the trees.
  4. Skiers should remove ski pole straps.
  5. Carry safety equipment including:
 
  • Cell phone with resort emergency number
  • Transceiver / beacon
  • Avalung
  • Whistle
  • Shovel
  • Probe
  • Recco
Please see Safety Equipment Notes section for details about each safety equipment item.
  1. Keep your partner in sight at all times. In many SIS accidents, skiers and snowboarders, have part of their body or equipment visible - but a partner wasnt there to see them.
  2. Take heart.  Increased awareness and education reduces SIS risks. There are more reported cases of skiers and boarders being rescued by their partners each season.
 

8. Safety Equipment Notes

The type of equipment that can help in a SIS accident is readily available and is already being carried by skiers and snowboarders who regularly venture into backcountry/ avalanche terrain and many in-ski area riders.

Avalanche Beacon

tracker.png

Avalanche Beacon This is the most efficient way to locate your partner if they are under the snow surface with nothing visible. It should be noted that most SIS victims DO HAVE some part of their body or a piece of equipment visible from the surface so that a visual search of the victim’s last seen area could yield the quickest find.

Probe

avaprobe.png

The avalanche probe pole rounds out “the avalanche safety equipment trinity. The beacon is used to get close and the probe pole is used to confirm the victim’s exact location. Probe poles can also be used to probe for someone without a beacon but this is very time consuming. Make sure you do a good visual search of the entire area. If this fails, probing individual tree wells may be the next best option.

RECCO

recco.png

The RECCO reflector is a small reflector that is may be sewn into a skier or boarders clothing or is on their equipment like a ski boot. This allows them to be found by a RECCO device. This device may be carried by professional rescue services like ski patrols. To be found by this method involves these rescue services being notified and then responding with a RECCO device specialized. To date one SIS fatality has been found in the U.S. with a RECCO device.
 

Shovel

avashovel.png

It is incredibly difficult to dig someone out if you don’t have a shovel. If you and your partner carry shovels the next step is to learn how to dig efficiently.

Avalung

avalung.pngUsing a device like an “Avalung" can extend your survival time under snow. Please check out this link to see how it works. Click here to read how "Skier Survives Tree Well Thanks to Avalung"

Whistle

whistle.png

The low-tech whistle is making a comeback as more people are realizing how much easier it is to get help and direct people to your location with a whistle rather than by yelling.

SIS Website Terms and Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by a combination of authors in the ski industry and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, or related graphics and video contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is t strictly at your own risk.

In no event will the authors be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data, personal injury, or even death, arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website or the information shared on this website.

Through this website you may be able to link to other websites which are not under our control. The inclusion of any links does not imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, the authors take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.