AVALANCHE - Precautions

   Website
   https://www.ready.gov/avalanche
   U.S. Department of Homeland Security
   [[Content::BEFORE

The most important actions you can take to survive an avalanche are done before it happens.

Avalanche risks

• Learn about your local avalanche risk.
• Know the signs of increased danger, including recent avalanches and shooting cracks across slopes. * Avoid areas of increased risk, such as slopes steeper than 30 degrees or areas under steep slopes. * Get training on how to recognize hazardous conditions and avalanche-prone locations.
• Sign up for alerts.
  • Your community may also have a local warning system.

Preparing for Avalanche

• Get proper equipment to protect yourself from head injuries and create air pockets.
• Receive first aid training so you can recognize and treat suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury and shock.
• Wear a helmet to help reduce head injuries and create air pockets.
• Wear an avalanche beacon to help rescuers locate you.
• Use an avalanche airbag that may help you from being completely buried.
• Carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small shovel to help rescue others.

Signs of Avalanche

• Learn the signs of an avalanche, and how to use safety and rescue equipment.
• Follow avalanche warnings on roads.
  • Roads may be closed, or vehicles may be advised not to stop on the roadside.

DURING

• Use and carry safety equipment and rescue gear.
• If your partner or others are buried, use emergency call number (112) and then begin to search if it is safe to do so.
• If you have the proper training, treat others for suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury or shock.

AFTER 

• Know the signs and ways to treat hypothermia.
  • Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature.
  • A body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius is an emergency.
  • Signs:
    • Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
  • Actions:
    • Go to a warm room or shelter.
    • Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep the person dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls.
• Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed.
• Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset.

Note: Use the translation feature of your browser]]

   Avalanche
   After, Before, During
   English

View all Crisis Communication

Created: 27 September 2023
Last edited: 28 September 2023

Type:

Website

Publishing Organisation:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Languages

• English

Scenarios

• Avalanche

Disaster Management Phase

After, Before, During

BEFORE

The most important actions you can take to survive an avalanche are done before it happens.

Avalanche risks

• Learn about your local avalanche risk.
• Know the signs of increased danger, including recent avalanches and shooting cracks across slopes. * Avoid areas of increased risk, such as slopes steeper than 30 degrees or areas under steep slopes. * Get training on how to recognize hazardous conditions and avalanche-prone locations.
• Sign up for alerts.
  • Your community may also have a local warning system.

Preparing for Avalanche

• Get proper equipment to protect yourself from head injuries and create air pockets.
• Receive first aid training so you can recognize and treat suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury and shock.
• Wear a helmet to help reduce head injuries and create air pockets.
• Wear an avalanche beacon to help rescuers locate you.
• Use an avalanche airbag that may help you from being completely buried.
• Carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small shovel to help rescue others.

Signs of Avalanche

• Learn the signs of an avalanche, and how to use safety and rescue equipment.
• Follow avalanche warnings on roads.
  • Roads may be closed, or vehicles may be advised not to stop on the roadside.

DURING

• Use and carry safety equipment and rescue gear.
• If your partner or others are buried, use emergency call number (112) and then begin to search if it is safe to do so.
• If you have the proper training, treat others for suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury or shock.

AFTER 

• Know the signs and ways to treat hypothermia.
  • Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature.
  • A body temperature below 35 degrees Celsius is an emergency.
  • Signs:
    • Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness.
  • Actions:
    • Go to a warm room or shelter.
    • Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin. Keep the person dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls.
• Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed.
• Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset.

Note:

Use the translation feature of your browser

Source

https://www.ready.gov/avalanche