"Proper beacon, probe and shovel usage" class at Alpental.

If you are an avid backcountry traveller, you know that you must have "the standard " avalanche gear: beacon, probe and a shovel. But unfortunately, there are lots of people who think that having the right gear is all they need to venture beyond ski area boundaries. But just like the great American writer Mark Twain once said, "Knowledge without experience is just information".

The David Pettigrew Memorial Foundation has been promoting awareness, safety and education for participants in outdoor recreation and sporting activities, especially in the mountains and wilderness areas of the Pacific Northwest since 2009.

In the winter of 2010, the Foundation in conjunction with the APP ( the Association of Professional Patrollers ) is offering 3 different levels of mountain safety courses :

1 - an introductory class on basic mountain safety
2 - an intermediate mountain safety course on avalanche awareness
3 - proper beacon, probe and shovel usage

Before, I attended one of REI's 1.5 hr free " Avalanche Awareness Clinics ". Needless to say, it was a waste of time. No harm in going, but you will not learn much. It will do exactly what the description says, introduce concepts. Basically, they are trying to sell the next course to you ( Avalanche Level 1 cert ), which is not a bad thing if you are serious about traveling into the winter backcountry ( and don't mind to part with $ 205 ).

But last Saturday, I had a chance to participate in a FREE " Proper Beacon, Probe and Shovel Usage " class, generously offered by The David Pettigrew Memorial Foundation at Alpental. Not only it was free, it was completely hands on experience ( minimum talking, max practical knowledge).

The class took place in the "lab " - Transceiver Training Park at Alpental, a transceiver training park designed for sidecountry/backcountry enthusiasts to practice simulated avalanche searches using their own beacon/transceiver and probe.
Beacon Basin ( another name for the park ) features an EZ Searcher System which is fully automated and will facilitate simulated searches for up to four buried ‘victims’.




All participants were provided with with free use of all the necessary gear ( if you don't have your own) purchased by the David Pettigrew Memorial Foundation.

The instructors John Stimberis, ( a long time professional ski patroller and supervisor for avalanche forecasting for WSDOT ) and Rob Gibson, (Alpental patrol director and risk manager ) started the class with some basic information about types of beacons ( digital vs analog ) and visual demonstration, followed by the practical drills - use of a probe and searches for "buried victims" ( the practice targets/strike pads ).

Next, John explained and demonstrated the key avalanche rescue technique of 'Strategic Shoveling" ( the hardest and most time consuming phase in a rescue ).

The big finale was "the real search and rescue " of a "real person " ( a buried manikin ).

Despite the relatively large group ( about 10 people ), everybody had a chance to practice their rescue techniques.

For more information on classes, please visit The David Pettigrew Memorial Foundation.
 

Ortovox Avalanche Rescue Kit Get the gear you need for backcountry skiing with the Ortovox Avalanche Rescue kit. It includes the Ortovox 3+ avalanche transceiver, the Beast avalanche shovel and the 240 Light PFA avalanche probe. 3+ transceiver is able to analyze its vertical orientation when buried and transmit its signal on the transmitting antenna best positioned for searchers to pick up a signal. Triple antenna design allows excellent precision and pinpoint search capabilities no matter what position the victim is buried in. Upon reaching a victim, the searcher can press the single button to mark the found victim and immediately set out for other snow burials by simply following the visual data. Adjustable harness with case keeps the 3+ secure and accessible; operates on 1 AA battery. Sturdy Beast telescopic shovel weighs only 710g (1 lb. 8 oz.); 5052 aluminum blade and 6061 aluminum T6 shaft stand up to regular use. Shovel handle extends to 84cm (33 in.) to ease shoveling; compacts to 43cm (17 in.) to fit in your pack while touring. 240 Light PFA probe assembles quickly and weighs only 270g (9.5 oz.); centimeter markings on the probe help you determine depth of a burial. Probe is 240cm (7 ft. 10 in.) long when assembled; collapses down to 40cm (1 ft. 3 in.) for easy storage in a backpack. The Ortovox Avalanche Rescue kit also includes a Safety Academy Guide Book with tips on how to properly use your transceiver, shovel and probe.