In a previous article we’ve talked about the importance of having the right knowledge and skills to assess avalanche dangers in the backcountry.
Because when you get in serious trouble, most of the time you made a sequence of bad choices that got you there.
Having the right knowledge is crucial to lower risks and avoid of getting in a dangerous situation in the first place.
That being said, some times things just go wrong, even if you did everything right.
When that happens, you will need the right avalanche gear to either be saved or save one of your buddies.
In this article we will look further into what gear should be in your avalanche safety kit to take with you on the mountain for when things go wrong.
Avalanche safety kit: the holy trinity
This is the absolute minimum every winter outdoor enthousiast should have when you go into the backcountry: an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel.
Without these 3 key tools you have no business in the backcountry.
Avalanche transceiver
An avalanche transceiver is a device used in mountain sports such as skiing and snowboarding to locate people buried in snow after an avalanche.
It operates using radio frequency technology and emits a signal that can be picked up by other transceivers in the area.
The device typically has 2 modes of operation: transmit and search.
In transmit mode, it sends out a continuous radio signal from the victim that is buried. This helps other rescuers locate the buried person.
In search mode, the device rapidly alternates between transmit and receive to help pinpoint the location of the buried person.
When you are in the backcountry you avalanche transceiver should always be switched on and on transmit mode.
When things go wrong, and one of your buddies is buried, you switch your device to search mode and start the rescue operation.
More info about how an avalanche transceiver works, as well as what the best one is on the market, can be found in the article about the best avalanche transceiver.
Avalanche probe
An avalanche probe is a tool used in mountain sports such as skiing and snowboarding to locate and recover people buried in snow after an avalanche.
It is typically a long, collapsible metal rod that is used to probe the snow to locate a buried person. There are some models made of carbon on the market but these or not advisable. Stick to an aluminium or metal one!
The probe is usually inserted into the snow at various locations near where the buried person is thought to be, until contact is made with the person or their equipment.
This information, combined with the results from an avalanche transceiver, helps rescuers to pinpoint the exact location of the buried person so that they can be quickly and safely recovered.
Avalanche probes are an essential part of any avalanche safety kit.
They come in different sizes as well. It’s advisable to go for a model that is at least +-250 cm or 8,2 feet.
Avalanche shovel
Lastly, the 3th essential tool of our avalanche safety kit is the shovel.
Once you’ve pinpointed the exact location of the victim you still need to dig him/her out.
It is a compact, lightweight shovel that is designed for rapid excavation in emergency situations.
The shovel typically has a scoop-like blade made of durable metal or plastic, and a handle that can be extended to increase leverage.
The compact size and lightweight design of the avalanche shovel make it easy to carry in a backpack, and it can be quickly deployed in an emergency.
The digging will take most of your time. You’ll have to dig in very condens (sometimes ice chunks) amounts of snow.
That’s why it’s highly advisable to buy an avalanche shovel that is made from metal instead of plastic. The plastic models maybe lighter to carry in your backpack, but are less strong compared to the metal ones.
The best avalanche safety kit: Mammut Barryvox package
We highly recommend the avalanche safety kit from Mammut. In our experience it is the best kit you can buy at the moment.
We have previously discussed why the Mammut Barryox S is the best avalanche beacon on the market today.
In addition, the Mammut avalanche safety kit comes with a qualitative probe and a metal solid shovel.
You have the best gear in a pack and therefore it will probably save you some bucks instead of buying the 3 tools separately.
Avalanche safety kit extra’s
Airbag backpack
An avalanche backpack (ABS) is a backpack with an integrated airbag system.
The airbag system consists of a canister of compressed gas, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, a trigger mechanism, and an airbag that is integrated into the backpack.
Our data showed that both the avalanche airbag and the avalanche transceiver reduce mortality.
H. Brugger
These days there are models on the market that work electronically with a battery and without a gas cartridge.
When you trigger an avalanche, you pull a handle that will inflate the airbags in your backpack.
The idea is that the inflated airbag will help keep the rider on the surface of the snow, making it easier for them to be found and rescued in the event of an avalanche.
Research showed that avalanche victims fatality percentage was 15% lower when equipped with an avalanche safety backpack (H. Brugger).
First aid kit
When you dug out your buddy chances are real he/she will need first aid.
Hypothermia is common for people who were buried by snow. Also, on the way down it’s possible that the victim hurt him/herself by crashing against objects and obstacles such as: skis, trees, rocks,…
Therefore, it’s important to take a first aid kit with you with a thermal blanket to give first aid and keep the victim warm while waiting for the professional rescue team.
Local emergency number
Often forgotten, but so important!
Make sure you have the number of the local emergency services with you in case something goes wrong.
Immediately call the emergency services, this can cost you precious time other wise.
Featured image by Kevin Schmid
