Mountain safety

1. Avallanche beacon – This is the most important piece of equipment every off-piste skier needs to have and know how to use. Unfortunately it is quite expensive - it should be attached to ones body and covered by a jacket or sweater. It emits a signal (457 Khz) that permits a competent user to locate the avalanche victim within minutes. The beacon is both able to transmit and receive a signal. Locating and uncovering a victim is no easy task and should be practiced on a regular basis.
2.   Snow shovel and avalanche probe – They are indispensible companions to the beacon. They considerably reduce the time required to locate and uncover a victim. The latest models are very light and easy to carry.
3. Backpack – Should have about a 30-40l capacity.  A hip buckle makes it more stable.
4. Topographic map – Is a must especially when skiing a new area.
5. Altimeter and compass – Companions to your map.
6. Rope – A 30 meters 9 mm. rope is sufficient in most places. Many itineraries cover glacial terrain and some couloirs require a ‘ belay’ for security.  If you are not in the company of a guide good ropeskills are mandatory.
7. Slings and carabiners – 3 meters 8-10 mm. rope or webbing and a couple locking carabiners should accompany your rope for belay purposes.
8. Ice axe, crampons and harness – Are a must when travelling at high altitude and on glaciers.
9. Ice screw and cordelets – as above.
10. Telescope ski poles – Very important especially for snowboarders to navigate through short flat section more quickly.

Skis: regular ski equipment is quite valid when skiing off-piste. If you can choose it is preferable to use soft skis with a wide tip (ski-randonnèe style). Also wide skis make skiing easier in powder. ‘Fat boys’ have a tip of at least 10 cm. Width which helps their floating ability in powder and also make them more manoeuvrable in crust.

Clothes should be warm and water proof. The best solution is usually to wear a pile sweater under a gore-tex iacket. Ski goggles with a plastic lens can be safer than sunglasses with crystal lenses.  Skiboots should fit snugly, however a freeride model or softer touring boot with a vibram sole is preferable.  Be extremely careful when encountering short sections on foot the plastic soles of most ski boots are very slick; they have been the cause for a number of fatal accidents.

Snowboard:  Alagna and most high alpine resorts are better for skiers than people on boards.  There are considerably long traverses between couloirs and at the end of runs or glaciers.  Skis are definitely faster and more convenient due to the skating and open heel walking ability.  If you want to come with a snowboard make sure you are very good, can hold an edge on traverses and have experience using collapsable ski poles.

In case of accident:

Accidents in off-piste skiing are generally due to trauma caused by a fall, avalanche and crevasse related problems. In all cases try to avoid panic and deal with the situation in a calm, calculated and efficient way.

1. Place of accident.  As accurate as possible.
2. Nature of accident.
3. Condition of injured person.

Avalanche

• Be careful to evaluate further avalanche danger and choose a safe escape route.
• Turn your avalanche beacon to receive. Remember it is indispensable to have exercised the correct use of this device before getting into an accident.   Make sure that other people who have their beacons on are outside your receiving range.

If the victim does not have a beacon:

 Look for visible signs of the victim - send someone for help!

•   Probe the most probably areas (last spot victim was seen) in a diligent organized manner
• Must be done in a methodical geometrical scheme. One step, one probe (every 60 cm.), than closer together, one step three probes.

The search party must always advance in a straight line. One must be fast not frantic.

Finding an avalanche victim

• Uncover the head and breathing area
• Clean away all snow, ice or water around the nose and the mouth of the victim
• Move the victim to a secure area and cover him/her with warm clothes

If the victim is not unconscious:

•   Warm him/her with clothes and hot drinks
• Take care of possible injures
• Move victim to lower elevation as soon as possible

If victim is unconscious, but still breathes:

• Turn him on his side, head down in order to facilitate the expulsion of internal fluids blocking his airways
• Warm him with clothes – no fluids

Victim shows no sign of life:  

• Apply CPR
• Warm him with clothes – no fluids
• Continue CPR until a positive result is obtained or the arrival of a medical doctor

Trauma caused by a fall

Special attention must be given to the application of first aid to a victim suffering from severe trauma with possible fractures. In case of injury to the lower body refrain from removing ski boots and moving legs and knees of the injured. Cover the victim with a a jacket to keep him/her  warm while waiting for a medical doctor.

In case of severe trauma to the head and or back it is imperative to not move the victim.

Excessive and wrong movement can produce lasting damage to the spinal chord. Go for help:

• While waiting for a helicopter rescue unit to arrive,  compact any fresh snow whithin a 5 meters circle of the accident area
• Make sure that all equipment is securely wedged in the snow. Helicopters create a lot of wind

Arrival of the helicopter:

• Protect the victim’s head and face from the wind created by the vacuum from the rotating helicopter blades
• Stand 5 meters from your improvised platform when the helicopter is in  view-holding both hands upright in a V shape. When the helicopter is close take down your arms and put one knee on the ground. Do not move! You are now the pilot’s main bearing point until he safely lands
• Do not walk around the helicopter, its blades and rotor are very dangerous