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Companion rescue
Published
7 years agoon
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Outlaw PartnersThe deciding factor in an avalanche accident
By Eric Knoff EBS Contributor
Backcountry skiing and snowmobiling has exploded in popularity over the past 10 years. Every winter more skiers and riders hit the backcountry in pursuit of steep faces and untracked powder. This type of riding has increased the inherent risk of being caught in an avalanche and on average, 30 people die in avalanches every year in the United States.
As skiing and snowmobiling technology evolves, so does the gear required to travel safely in the mountains. Carrying an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe continues to be the standard for avalanche safety gear. However, new technologies such as airbag packs are improving the chances of survival for those caught or buried in an avalanche.
Airbag packs are designed to help prevent deep burials, ultimately decreasing search and excavation time. If properly deployed, these packs improve the buried individual’s chances of survival by nearly 15 percent. It must be noted that airbag packs are not designed to replace your avalanche beacon.
However, having the best rescue equipment does not guarantee a successful recovery, because one in four avalanche fatalities are a result of trauma. Despite the advancements of rescue technology, even if a person doesn’t die from trauma, they still have less than a 50 percent chance of surviving if completely buried. The more quickly a buried individual is uncovered, the better chance they have of surviving.
Time is of the essence—recent research indicates that a fully buried victim without trauma has an 80 percent chance of survival if uncovered in less than 10 minutes. The chance of survival plummets from there: if buried for 12 minutes the chance of survival drops to 40 percent and after 30 minutes the likelihood of survival drops to 20 percent.
The best formula for surviving an avalanche burial is through companion rescue. For this strategy to work, each group member must have rescue gear and know how to use it.
Transceiver practice is essential, but it’s also important that backcountry enthusiasts practice the other components of companion rescue. As new transceiver technologies speed up search times, attention is being focused on more efficient probing and shoveling techniques. Practicing strategic shoveling is now equally as important as practicing transceiver searches.
Strategic shoveling involves standing on the downhill side of the probe and using gravity to assist in the extrication process. Begin the excavation downhill of the probe strike approximately 1.5 times the burial depth. All excavations should begin by moving snow to the sides, because it’s important to not have to move snow twice. If more than one shoveler is available, form a conveyer belt that moves snow downhill and forms an open space to remove the victim.
As technology improves, it’s important that skiers and riders understand the capabilities of their gear, partners and rescue training. Take an avalanche class, practice with your gear and be sure your partners are knowledgeable in the latest rescue techniques. The hard truth is that if you get buried in a slide, it’s going to be your partner’s responsibility to save your life.
Be safe out there.
Eric Knoff is an avalanche forecaster for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. He’s been a public forecaster the past seven winters, and also spent four seasons as an avalanche forecaster for the Going-to-the-Sun Road plowing operation in Glacier National Park.
Visit mtavalanche.com to view the daily avalanche advisory for southwest Montana and send your snowpack observations to mtavalanche@gmail.com.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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april, 2024
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
Event Details
Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
Time
(Wednesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd