Avalanche Safety
January 31, 2006
Mountains attract climbers, skiers and tourists who scramble up and down the slopes, hoping to conquer peaks, each in their own way. Yet, to do this they must enter the timeless haunt of avalanches. Each year, avalanches claim more than 150 lives worldwide, a number that has been increasing over the past few decades. Thousands more are caught in avalanches, partly buried or injured. REMSA would like to remind individuals to be safe around snowy areas.
Avalanche gear
Ideally, avoiding avalanches in the first place is much easier than trying to survive one. Avalanche safety begins even before you begin your travel. In addition to keeping an eye out for weather and terrain conditions, there are steps you can take ahead of time to help you or other members of your party if you are caught in an avalanche.
Proper equipment can be a critical factor in rescue efforts. Avalanches kill in two ways. A victim will either endure fatal trauma (collisions with rocks or trees) during an avalanche, or will suffocate after they are buried by snow. While trauma deaths occur before rescue can take place, the more common suffocation deaths are often tragic because with the proper equipment and expertise, they can be avoided.
Portable shovels made of plastic and aluminum are lightweight and compact enough that they can be carried in a pack. Digging with a shovel, as opposed to using hands or ski poles, can dramatically decrease the time it takes to dig out a victim. Digging by hand takes an average of 45 minutes to dig out one square meter of snow. Using a shovel to dig out the same amount of snow takes less than ten minutes.
Collapsible probes or ski-pole probes are also easy to carry along. Collapsible probes usually consist of two-foot lengths of tubular steel that join together to make a probe ten to twelve feet long. Ski-pole probes are made so that grips and baskets can be removed. The two poles can then be joined together to form a probe. Probing is essential to finding a buried victim if there are no visible clues on the surface.
Avalanche beacons (transceivers) are the most commonly used rescue device, and are standard equipment for ski-area patrollers and heli-ski operators. When properly used, they provide the fastest way of locating a victim. When a victim is buried, the transceiver will emit a frequency that other transceivers can home in on. However, it is critical to have the transceiver set to “transmit” during your outing. When trying to locate a buried victim, rescuers will then switch their transceivers to “receive” to locate the signal. Unfortunately, avalanche deaths have occurred due to the fact that the victims had their transceiver switched to “receive” rather than “transmit.” Consequently, rescuers could not locate them in time.
Remember that more than one transceiver unit is required. A transceiver will not help locate a victim who is not also wearing one. Likewise, a victim with a transmitting beacon may not be found unless someone else has a transceiver to pick up that signal.
Using beacons requires practice. Homing in on a buried signal involves moving in increasingly smaller circles around the area of the signal. When purchasing a unit, learn how to use it properly, and practice using it frequently. Make sure those in your party carrying transceivers understand how to use them.
Time is of the essence. Carrying this equipment may mean the difference between life and death for someone buried in an avalanche. Statistics show that most survivors are dug out within 15 to 30 minutes. For victims buried longer than 30 minutes, survival chances decrease drastically. In fact, U.S. statistics show that victims buried longer than 45 minutes rarely survive. Depth of burial is also a factor in surviving, but even if a victim is near the surface, the length of time it takes to locate them and dig them out can still be the critical factor.
If you are caught in an avalanche
Yell and let go of ski poles and get out of your pack to make yourself lighter. Use “swimming” motions, thrusting upward to try to stay near the surface of the snow. When avalanches come to a stop and debris begins to pile up, the snow can set as hard as cement. Unless you are on the surface and your hands are free, it is almost impossible to dig yourself out. If you are fortunate enough to end up near the surface (or at least know which direction it is), try to stick out an arm or a leg so that rescuers can find you quickly.
If you are in over your head (not near the surface), try to maintain an air pocket in front of your face using your hands and arms, punching into the snow. When an avalanche finally stops, you will have from one to three seconds before the snow sets. Many avalanche deaths are caused by suffocation, so creating an air space is one of the most critical things you can do. Also, take a deep breath to expand your chest and hold it; otherwise, you may not be able to breathe after the snow sets. To preserve air space, yell or make noise only when rescuers are near you. Snow is such a good insulator they probably will not hear you until they are practically on top of you.
Above all, do not panic. Keeping your breathing steady will help preserve your air space and extend your survival chances. If you remain calm, your body will be better able to conserve energy.
Rescuing a victim
Try to watch the victim as they are carried down the slope, paying particular attention to the point you last saw them. After the avalanche appears to have finished and settled, wait a minute or two and observe the slope carefully to make sure there is no further avalanche danger. If some danger does still exist, post one member of your party in a safe location away from the avalanche path to alert you if another avalanche falls.
When traveling with a large party, you may want to send someone for help immediately while the rest of you search. If you are the only survivor, do a quick visual search. If you don’t see any visual clues, and you don’t have transceivers, then go for help.
Begin looking for clues on the surface (a hand or foot, piece of clothing, ski pole, etc.), beginning with the point where they were last seen. As you move down the slope, kick over any large chunks of snow that may reveal clues. Since equipment and items of clothing may be pulled away from a victim during an avalanche, they may not indicate their exact location, but can help determine the direction the avalanche carried them. Mark these spots as you come across them. Be sure that all rescuers leave their packs, extra clothing, etc., away from the search area so as not to clutter or confuse search efforts.
Once the victim is found, it is critical to unbury them as quickly as possible. Survival chances decrease rapidly depending on how long a victim remains buried. Treat them for any injuries, shock, or hypothermia if necessary.
If you lost sight of the victim early during the avalanche, or if there are no visible clues on the surface, mark where the victim was last seen. Look at the path of the snow and try to imagine where they might have ended up. For those wearing avalanche transceivers, switch them to “receive” and try to locate a signal.
For those using probes, begin at the point the victim was last seen at. Or if you have a good idea of where they were buried, begin in that area. Stand in a straight line across the slope, standing shoulder to shoulder. Repeatedly insert the probes as you move down slope in a line. Pay particular attention to shallow depressions in the slope and the uphill sides of rocks and trees, since these are terrain traps where they may have been buried.
It may be necessary to probe certain areas more than once if you don’t locate the victim the first time around, but this takes more time and decreases the victim’s chances for survival. Similar to using transceivers, this method of rescue is much more effective if those involved have experience or have practiced finding buried victims using probes.
After searching for clues, or using transceivers and/or probes, still does not reveal the location of the victim, it may be time to rely on outside help. Nearby ski resorts will be staffed with personnel experienced to handle these situations. They will have equipment to locate the victims and dig them out (if your party did not bring shovels or probes), and they may also have avalanche dogs that can help find victims. Ski area patrollers will also have first aid equipment, but unfortunately, by the time they can usually reach out-of-bounds avalanche accidents, too much time has elapsed to save the victim.
Avalanche quick checks
Following is a list of quick checks you can make throughout the day:
* What have the weather conditions been over the past few days? Recent heavy snows?
* Can you observe any wind loading on the slopes?
* Do you have a good sense of the snowpack? Have you performed any snowpit or shear tests?
* Have you noticed many fracture lines, heard “whumping” or cracking sounds, or hollow noises in the snowpack?
* Are you keeping an eye on the orientation and steepness of the slopes as you cross them?
* Are you lingering in gullies, bowls, or valleys?
* Noticed any recent avalanche activity on other slopes similar to the one you are on?
* If a slope looks suspect, are there alternative routes?
Extra precautions to take
* If there is no alternative to crossing a suspect slope, do so one person at a time to minimize risk.
* When descending or ascending a slope, try to stay as far to the sides of a potential avalanche chute as possible to decrease your chances of being caught if an avalanche runs.
* Be aware of the condition of those in your party. If someone is tired, hungry, or cold they may not be using their best judgement.
* Remain constantly aware of changing weather or temperature conditions, particularly if your outing will last more than a few hours.
* Consider avalanche rescue equipment, such as beacons, ski-pole probes, and collapsible shovels, as a necessary part of your backcountry gear.
Avalanche factors: what conditions cause an avalanche?
Several factors may affect the likelihood of an avalanche, including weather, temperature, slope steepness, slope orientation (whether the slope is facing north or south), wind direction, terrain, vegetation, and general snowpack conditions. Different combinations of these factors can create low, moderate or extreme avalanche conditions.
Keep in mind that some of these conditions, such as temperature and snowpack, can change on a daily or even hourly basis. This necessitates constant vigilance of your immediate surroundings while doing any wintertime backcountry travel. The route you chose may be safe when you begin, but may become dangerous if conditions change dramatically throughout the day.
While this may seem like a lot of work, once you understand factors that can cause avalanches, most of these signals require simple observation to evaluate your surroundings as they change. Simply ask yourself, when are conditions sufficient to cause a mass of snow to slide down a slope?
Hypothermia/Frost Bite Safety
January 24, 2006
During the cold winter months, hypothermia and frost bite are always possible and need to be considered serious health threats, especially with senior citizens and small children. In order to protect yourself and loved ones from these serious threats, it is important to understand them and know how to prevent them. REMSA would like to share the following information regarding hypothermia and frost bite and how to prevent this from occurring to you:
Hypothermia and its main symptoms
Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature dips below the optimal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms usually take effect in three stages. The first stage is mild hypothermia. It is characterized by bouts of shivering, grogginess and compromised thinking. The second stage is moderate hypothermia. Symptoms include violent shivering or shivering with sudden stops, inability to think and pay attention, slow, shallow breathing, or slow, weak pulse. The severe level of hypothermia has set in when shivering stops. The patient may then lose consciousness. There is little or no breathing. Pulse is weak, irregular or non-existent.
How Your Body Regulates Core Temperature
* When your outer body layer becomes cold, blood flow increases in an attempt to regulate your body heat.
* When you inner body starts to become cooler than normal, shivering may begin.
* Shivering generates heat through an increase in chemical reactions required for muscle activity. Visible shivering can maximally increase surface heat production by 500 percent. However, this is limited to a few hours because of depletion of muscle glucose and the onset of fatigue. Active exercise is much more efficient at heating than shivering.
* Increasing or decreasing activity will cause corresponding increases in heat production and decreases in heat production.
* Behavioral responses, such as putting on or taking off layers of clothing will also result in thermoregulation.
Who is at risk for hypothermia?
The elderly and small children are most at risk for hypothermia. However, people who already have something wrong with them are also at a higher risk, as they may not be aware of how severely they are exposing themselves to the cold.
The main risk groups are:
* People who have been involved in accidents;
* Mentally ill patients;
* People with heart problems;
* Hypothyroid patients;
* Patients on sedatives;
* Those who may have consumed alcoholic.
Prevention and Assessment
Be aware of the causes of hypothermia, which are usually cool to cold temperatures combined with wetness and wind. Constantly evaluate the environmental conditions and the conditions of your group. Here are some guidelines to staying warm and avoid hypothermia:
* Wear proper clothing. Choose materials that keep you warm even when wet.
* Wetness equals trouble. Have proper rain gear to keep you and your clothing dry.
* Eat small amounts of food at frequent intervals to maintain the body’s energy reserves. Carry carbohydrates to snack on, because they provide quick energy, and protein and fat to eat before bed, because they burn slowly, providing energy overnight. Try not to push yourself to your physical limits in cold weather. Always leave your body with energy in reserve.
* Stay well hydrated. Dehydration quickens hypothermia, so force yourself to drink, even if you do not feel thirsty—up to 4 quarts (liters) a day in the winter or hot Summer. Drink hot liquids. Try to avoid drinking excessive cold fluids since body heat is used to warm them to body temperature.
* Avoid caffeine. It is a vasoconstrictor that increases the chances of peripheral frostbite.
* Avoid alcohol. It is a vasodilator and increases heat loss.
* Adjust your clothing frequently so that you are neither too hot nor too cold. If you are too hot and you begin to sweat, the wet clothing will rob you of heat 25 times faster than dry clothing. Be aware of the impact of wind chill on increasing the rate of heat loss.
* Have pairs of people zip their sleeping bags together and sleep together as a preventative measure on cold nights.
* Be alert to sudden weather changes and be able to make a quick evaluation of your group’s condition. Has the temperature dropped? Do people have their hats on? Has everyone been eating? Drinking? Is everyone wearing wind or rain gear? What is the condition of the weakest member of the group?
How to Determine if Someone Is Hypothermic
* Ask the person a question that requires higher reasoning in the brain (to count backward from 100 by nines). If the person is hypothermic, she won’t be able to do it. (Note: there are other conditions, such as altitude sickness, that can also cause changes in reasoning ability.)
* If shivering can be stopped voluntarily, it is mild hypothermia. If shivering cannot be stopped voluntarily, it is moderate to severe hypothermia.
* If you can’t get a radial pulse at the wrist, it indicates a core temperature below about 90° F (32° C). Check pulse and respirations carefully. Even after a full minute, you may not be able to detect a pulse or respirations and yet the person may still be alive. The body may be using a massive shell/core response to maintain basic life functions.
* A severely hypothermic person may appear dead. The person may be rigid, blue, and curled up in a fetal position. Try to open his/her arm up from the fetal position; if it curls back up, the person is alive. Dead muscles won’t contract—only live muscles.
Wind Chill Effects
Wind chill can have a major impact on heat loss through convection. As air heated by your body is replaced with cooler air pushed by the wind, the amount of heat you can lose in a given period of time increases. This increase is comparable to the amount of heat you would lose at a colder temperature with no wind.
What is the treatment for hypothermia?
The first step is to contact the emergency services since extreme hypothermia requires urgent professional attention. All cold, wet clothing should be replaced with warm, dry clothing to prevent further heat loss immediately.
If breathing has stopped and there is no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be attempted until the emergency services arrive.
Rapid re-warming with hot water or massaging cold extremities should be avoided as, if done improperly, it could lead to serious tissue damage.
Do not give alcohol or nicotine products to someone suffering from hypothermia.
How can hypothermia be prevented?
The key rules are to wear many layers of clothing, drink plenty of fluids and hot drinks (but not alcohol) and keep well nourished. Maintaining movement to keep circulation up is also advised.
Frostbite and its symptoms
Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin or other body tissues. Although most frostbite occurs in cold weather, it can have other causes as well, including mishandling of refrigerants (dry ice, Freon), improper use of ice packs or inhalant abuse. Mechanical injury and dehydration of cells occur as ice crystals form in the tissue, and further damage to the area results from insufficient blood flow, also known as ischemia.
Frostbite requires treatment in a specialized center, frequently in a burn unit because of the similarity of some of the treatments.
Areas that have become numb should be covered in loosely fitting, warm and dry clothing and removed from the cold environment. Frostbitten limbs should be elevated, padded and splinted, and the victim should be transported to a hospital.
Care for frostbite
Rapid re-warming with water at a measured 104-108 degrees should only be done if (1) the affected part will not be subjected to cold again and (2) there is no close medical facility available. Avoid rubbing the area, as that may increase skin injury. Refrain from using heat from a campfire or tailpipe. Leave blisters intact. Avoid alcohol consumption or smoking.
Illness, alcohol or drug misuse and motor vehicle breakdowns frequently lead to civilian frostbite injury. The risk for frostbite is increased by a previous cold injury, diabetes (which may impair both circulation and sensation), use of beta-blocker drugs, hardening of the arteries, or smoking.
When frostbite is suspected, medical care should be sought immediately. Frozen tissues are susceptible to physical injury and should not be rubbed or massaged. In addition, restrictive clothing or jewelry should be removed, and if the feet are involved, the patient should be carried and not allowed to walk.
Frostbitten skin is hard, pale, cold, and has no feeling. When skin has thawed out, it becomes red and painful (early frostbite). With more severe frostbite, the skin may appear white and numb (tissue has started to freeze). Very severe frostbite may cause blister; gangrene (blackened tissue that died after blood vessels froze); or hard, frozen skin (frostbite can penetrate all the way down to blood vessels and bone).
Factors that contribute to frostbite
Extreme cold; wet clothes; high winds; and poor circulation, which can be caused by tight clothing or boots, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medication, smoking, alcohol use, or diseases that affect the blood vessels, such as diabetes.
What to do if frostbitten
Wear suitable clothing in cold temperatures and protect susceptible areas. In cold weather, wear mittens (not gloves); wind-proof, water-resistant, many-layered clothing; two pairs of socks (cotton next to skin, then wool); and a scarf and a hat that cover the ears (to avoid substantial heat loss through the scalp).
Before anticipated prolonged exposure to cold, don’t drink alcohol or smoke, and get adequate food and rest. If caught in a severe snowstorm, find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth.
To set up a media interview with a REMSA representative, please call Scott Walquist at 775.686.2116.
REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada. REMSA’s state-of-the-art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is fully accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.
Backcountry Safety
The backcountry is beautiful, but also rugged. Before you hit the trail, it is important to properly prepare. REMSA would like to share the following tips to keep individuals safe when they venture into the backcountry.
Drinking Water Safety
An intestinal disorder called giardiasis may be contracted from drinking untreated “natural” water. This disorder is caused by a microscopic organism called Giardia Lamblia, the cystic form of which is in mountain streams and lakes. Such waters may look and taste good, but you should be aware of possible danger. Although giardiasis can be incapacitating, it is usually not life threatening. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, increased gas, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps and bloating. These discomforts may appear a few days to a few weeks after ingestion of Giardia and may last up to six weeks.
Purify Your Water
Three ways to properly purify your water is to boil it, treat it with iodine, or use a filter. All are effective methods to purify your water, but the choice of which one to use is up to you.
- Boiling: Bringing the water to a momentary full boil even at high altitudes is enough to kill Giardia. The drawback to this method is that it is time consuming and you will probably need to bring along extra fuel.
- Iodine: Iodine tablets or drops are lightweight and simple to use. Iodine tablets do kill Giardia, but they leave a slight iodine taste in the water, and it takes approximately thirty minutes or longer, before the water is fit to drink. Iodine tablets also lose their potency once they are exposed to air and water.
- Filter: A 2-micron filter will filter Giardia. Other filters can filter even smaller particles. Filters do not leave any odd taste in the water, but they can be expensive and add weight to your pack. They also will eventually clog and need to be cleaned or replaced.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is subnormal body temperature. It is brought about by cold, wet, weather and increases as the body becomes exhausted. It is the number one cause of death of outdoor enthusiasts because it can strike even when temperatures are well above freezing. Know how to defend against hypothermia.
Avoid Exposure
- Stay dry. When clothes get wet they lose most of their insulating value. Wool and synthetics are much better insulators than cotton, even when wet.
- Sheild yourself from the wind. Wind drives cold air through and under clothing, which can deplete your bodyheat.
- Understand cold. Most hypothermia cases develop in temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. Many people underestimate the danger of being wet in these temperatures.
Terminate Exposure
- If you cannot avoid exposure and stay dry and warm, then terminate exposure.
- Know when to stop. It’s not worth continuing your trip if you are at risk.
- Get out of the wind and rain, make your camp as secure, warm and dry as possible.
- Be aware of shivering. Constant or violent shivering is a sign that you are on the verge of hypothermia.
- Don’t wait until you are exhausted. Make camp while you still have energy. If you stop because of exhaustion, your body heat production will drop dramatically.
Detect Hypothermia
Know the symptoms of hypothermia:
- Uncontrollable shivering;
- Slow, slurred speech;
- Incoherence;
- Loss of dexterity in the hands;
- Stumbling;
- Drowsiness-sleep equals death;
- Extreme exhaustion, such as an inability to go on after a rest.
Treating Hypothermia
- Get out of the wind and rain.
- Remove all wet clothes.
- Mild hypothermia:
- give the person warm drinks (if fully conscious);
- get them into dry clothes and a warm sleeping bag.
- Severe hypothermia:
- Keep person awake;
- Put stripped person in a sleeping bag with another stripped person;
- Skin to skin contact is the best treatment;
- Build a fire to warm the camp area.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness occurs because of a lack of oxygen. Victims of altitude sickness should stop and rest, breathe deeply and slowly return to lower elevations. Altitude sickness can be minimized if you take a day or two to acclimatize yourself to the increase in altitude before you do any strenuous activities.
Emergencies
If you become lost, stay calm and don’t panic. Try and use your map to find a familiar geologic feature to orient yourself. If you cannot do that, it’s best to stay where you are. Carry a whistle, a pin light and small mirror for emergency use. Three of anything (shouts, whistles, flashes of light from a mirror) is a sign of distress.
First Aid Kit
Always carry a kit with you. They are fairly inexpensive to put together and should contain:
- aspirin
- laxative
- disinfecting ointment for cuts/burns
- moleskin (for blisters)
- triangular bandages (2)
- scissors
- gauze pads
- adhesive tape
- needle (for splinters)
- tweezers
- water purification tablets
- sunscreen
- ACE bandage
Make sure that you always have this equipment with you, especially on day hikes.
- waterproof matches, a lighter and flint
- paraffin sticks
- light weight thermal blanket
- map of the area
- compass
- extra food
- rain gear (weather changes quickly in the Sierra)
- extra warm clothes
- whistle
- knife
- first-aid kit
Weather
Weather conditions can make or break your backcountry experience. Weather in the Sierra can change rapidly, backcountry users should be prepared for all types of weather. Winter weather can be extremely unpredictable. Strong winds and snow can appear suddenly.
Inform others
Before entering the backcountry, always let others know your planned route and when you plan to return in case there is an emergency and you are unable to return. Also leave a written note on your automobile with your whereabouts. This will increase the speed of the rescue and increase the chance for survival.
Snow Play/Sledding Safety
January 10, 2006
Often times an afternoon of fun in the snow can lead to careless injuries. By taking the right safety steps, these injuries can be prevented. In particular, sledding causes a high percentage of snow play injuries. REMSA would like to offer some safety tips to keep playing in the snow safe.
Snow Playing Tips:
- Check the weather report and heed precautions and advisories. If weather warnings suggest a severe wind chill or extremely low temperatures, consider avoiding outdoor activities until the weather improves.
- Be aware of avalanche warnings also.
- Be aware of symptoms and treatment for hypothermia, snow blindness and frostbite.
- Practice Sun Safety, even when it is cold out.
- Remember First Aid Tips including a first aid supplies.
- Dress in layers. It is very important to keep warm and dry while enjoying outdoor activities in the winter.
- When not wearing a helmet, wear a hat, and a neck guard. Keep ears covered too. Noses can be covered with neck guard.
- Make sure that your clothes are comfortable. Tight clothing restricts circulation and can increase changes of frostbite.
- Wear brightly colored clothing – easier to be seen.
- Take extra care when dusk or evening approaches as a result of reduced visibility.
- Goggles that provide Sun Safety can also protect eyes from cold, wind and snow.
- Remove all drawstrings from children’s snowsuits and avoid use of scarves to reduce the risk of strangulation.
- Don’t overdo activities.
- Try to maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, drugs and consider reducing caffeine consumption.
- Take some time to relax and give children some “down time” as well.
- Have children (and adults) where helmets designed for the activity if it involves a risk of head injury or required by law.
- Teach children never to touch metal during cold temperatures.
- Children should be taught never to throw snow at other people. Snowballs can contain ice chunks or stones that can cause harm including damage to eyes.
- Never bury anyone in snow as there is a risk of suffocation and teach children never to make tunnels in the snow.
- Don’t let children eat snow. Even white snow can contain pollutants from the air, including trace minerals like mercury. Snow can also contain windblown soils that can include animal fecal matter.
- Teach children to never venture onto ice, ponds or lakes without an adult first checking the ice.
- Children should never play on snow piles near parking lots or on the roadside. Make sure children never go near snowplows or areas being plowed.
Sledding Safety Tips:
- Always sled in familiar territory.
- Go with a companion.
- Check out the terrain before you sled. Walk up and down the hill to check for rocks or debris or other obstructions.
- Do not sled where there is a drop off or road or stream at the bottom of a hill.
- Make sure you sled a safe distance away from any trees or other potential hazards.
- Let others know when you intend to go sledding so they know your whereabouts and give them an expected time of return.
- Look for posted signs which may indicate whether or not sledding is recommended in an area.
- Wear proper attire. Dress in layers. Wear goggles and gloves and wear a ski mask if possible to protect from wind burn.
- Do not sled when the weather reports warn against wind chill; sledding creates additional wind which can result in frostbite.
- On very steep hills, start your initial sledding further down the hill to allow yourself time to get to know the terrain.
- Do not overcrowd a sled.
- Avoid sledding in a prone stomach position. It is much safer to sled sitting up or lying on your back. Do not sled down a hill head first.
- Do not sled while standing or kneeling.
Purchase high quality sledding products for long lasting durability.
Tips for parents to follow when their children go sledding:
- Select your child’s downhill vehicle carefully
- Sleds without a steering mechanism are the most dangerous since the rider has no way of avoiding objects in his or her path.
- Consider a metal runner sled over a plastic sled. Runner sleds elevate the rider off the ground and away from small, stationary objects. A plastic sled, by nature of its design, will strike anything in its path.
- Always inspect the terrain of the hill before allowing your child to use it
- The terrain should be smooth. A bumpy terrain may throw the rider into the air or off the sled, causing the child to land on the ground or in the path of another speeding sled.
- Avoid hills with trees, telephone poles, large rocks or fences on the slope or at the base of the slope. Hills should be wide and free of obstructions.
- Avoid hills whose slope ends at a road or area with motor vehicle traffic.
- Avoid sledding on icy surfaces. A slick surface increases the speed of the sled while further reducing the rider’s control.
- Encourage young children to sled feet first
- This is the best way to protect your child from crashing or being thrown head first at 10-20 mph.
- Dress your child appropriately
- Children should wear insulated, waterproof boots and gloves and well-padded clothing. Protective helmets are a must, especially for younger children.
- Supervise your children and talk with them about sledding safety
- Children who understand the risks are more likely to exercise good judgment when sledding, and less likely to be reckless.
Ski/Snowboard Safety
January 3, 2006
Skiing or snowboarding is a fun activity that offers participants the enjoyment of being in the great outdoors, excellent exercise, a chance for families to bond and the potential for injury. REMSA would like to offer some tips to keep snow enthusiasts safe this winter on the slopes.
Tips for skiing and snowboarding:
- Obtain proper equipment. Be sure to have your ski or snowboard bindings adjusted correctly at a local ski shop. You can rent good ski or snowboarding equipment at resorts.
- When buying skiwear, fabric should be water- and wind-resistant. Look for wind flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists, collars that can be snuggled up to the chin and drawstrings that can be adjusted for comfort and keep wind out. Be sure to buy quality clothing and products.
- Dress in layers. Layering allows you to accommodate your body’s constant temperature changes. For example, dress in polypropylene underwear (top and bottoms), which feels good next to the skin, wicks moisture away, dries quickly, and keeps you warm. Wear a turtleneck, sweater and jacket.
- Be prepared. Mother Nature has a mind of her own. Bring a hat with you to the slopes, 60 percent of heat-loss is through the head. Ski helmets, in addition to their safety duties, help retain heat. Wear gloves or mittens (mittens are usually better for those susceptible to cold hands).
- Clip a whistle and pin light on your clothing or in a pocket. These two items can help alert others that you need help or help to locate you if you become lost.
- Wear sun protection. The sun reflects off the snow and is stronger than you think, even on cloudy days! Don’t forget about your lips.
- Always wear eye protection. Have sunglasses and goggles with you. Skiing and snowboarding are a lot more fun when you can see.
- ALWAYS BE SURE TO WEAR A HELMET! Parents need to set a good example for their children by also wearing helmets.
Tips for while on the slopes:
- Take a lesson. Like anything, you’ll improve the most when you receive some guidance. The best way to become a good skier or snowboarder is to take a lesson from a qualified instructor.
- The key to successful skiing/snowboarding is control. To have it, you must be aware of your ability, the terrain and the skiers/snowboarders around you.
- Be aware of the snow and weather conditions and how they can change throughout the day. Snow can become very firm and create hard and fast runs. Begin a run slowly. Weather is a factor that must be considered at all times. Wind and blowing snow can make you disoriented and cause you to become lost on the hill.
- Skiing and snowboarding require a mental and physical presence.
- If you find yourself on a slope that exceeds your ability level, side step down the slope or if necessary, you may always remove your equipment and walk.
- The all-important warm-up run prepares you mentally and physically for the day ahead. Drink plenty of water. Be careful not to become dehydrated.
- Curb alcohol consumption. Skiing and snowboarding do not mix well with alcohol or drugs.
- Know your limits. Learn to ski and snowboard smoothly-and in control. Stop before you become fatigued and, most of all have fun.
- If you’re tired, stop skiing. In this day and age of multi-passenger gondolas and high-speed chairlifts, you can get a lot more time on the slopes compared to the days of the past when guests were limited to fixed grip chairlifts.
- Follow the “Your Responsibility Code,” the seven safety rules of the slopes:
- Always stay in control
- People ahead of you have the right of way
- Stop in a safe place for you and others
- Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield
- Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment
- Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails
- Know how to use the lifts safely.
- WEAR A HELMET! Make it part of your New Year’s resolutions to be safe on the slopes.