(6) Dig: Start digging at a distance downhill
from the probe equal to the indicated depth
of burial. Dig over a large area.
(7) Rescue and rst aid: First clear the face and airways.
Watch out for any breathing cavity (air pocket) for the victim. Protect from cold.
A victim has the best chance of being rescued if the largest possible number of companions
in a given group have not been buried and work efciently as a team to search and rescue
their companion. In the event of an accident, the most important considerations are to:
STAY CALM, BE OBSERVEANT, and RAISE THE ALARM.
(1) Determine the search area and last point seen:
How many victims are buried? Are there several companions ready to engage
in rescue? The most experienced person takes over assignment and management.
(2) Call emergency services:
Dial 112 (EU), 911 (NA) if this is possible without losing time.
(3) Establish search areas: Where are the probable burial locations?
(4) Visual Sweep Search: Search for the avalanche cone with your eyes and ears.
(5) Search with avalanche transceiver: Switch non-searching avalanche
transceivers in SEARCH-mode. The search is divided in the following search phases
(ICAR 2009): A Signal search, B Coarse search, C Fine search, D Pinpointing
(Check the search results with a probe. Leave probe in place.)
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
A B C D