Lesson 15: Risk in Avalanche Search and Rescue

There are many hazards associated with avalanche incident sites and how responders access and depart those incident sites. All responders must continually assess hazards and control risks to maximize their safety.

Hazard Assessment

The following factors must be continually assessed during an AvSAR response:

Terrain:

Are there additional start zones or residual avalanche hazards affecting the incident site?
Are there terrain traps, water hazards, crevasses, or cliffs?
Are the helicopter landing spots and Staging Areas located in areas safe from further avalanches?

Weather:

Are conditions worsening or improving?
How will responders access and depart the incident site? Are helicopter operations possible?
Are weather conditions contributing to an increase in avalanche danger? Is this happening slowly or rapidly?

Resources:

Are participating responders adequately trained for the tasks assigned?
Are there enough responders and equipment to effectively deal with the magnitude of the incident?
Are there too many responders exposed to given hazards?

Public:

Is there a risk to public safety at the incident site or surrounding area?
Is public interest helping or hindering the response effort?

Timing:

Is there adequate daylight to initiate a safe and effective rescue?
As the response proceeds, how much daylight remains to remove responders from the incident site?

Avalanche Risk Control

Avalanche risk is defined as the probability of harm resulting from interactions between avalanche hazard and an element at risk. It is determined by the exposure of the element and its vulnerability to the avalanche hazard.

Avalanche risk control is accomplished by reducing vulnerability and exposure to hazards, or in some situations reducing hazard using explosives or waiting for conditions to stabilize.

Reducing Vulnerability. In avalanche terms, vulnerability refers to how susceptible a person or object is to harm or damage from an avalanche. Reducing the vulnerability of AvSAR responders may be accomplished by ensuring the following:

Responding personnel are trained and qualified for the positions they are assigned.
Responding personnel are properly equipped.
Personnel and equipment needed to make the rescue as safe and effective as possible are present.

Reducing Exposure. Exposure refers to the position of the person or object in relation to the hazard, and the length of time they are exposed to a specific hazard. In AvSAR, exposure can be managed much more easily than vulnerability. Way to reduce exposure include:

Managing site access. Are weather conditions conductive to helicopter flying? If not, what hazards will responders be exposed to in a ground response?
Managing exposure time for responders.
Managing number of rescuers at the incident site. Given the conditions, are there too many responders exposed to hazards?
Establishing safe zones.
Using remote search equipment such as a helicopter transceiver or RECCO.
Rotating search and rescue groups.
Limiting the number of rescuers at the site (keeping the remainder on standby).

Reducing Hazard. In some situations, managing hazards may be necessary prior to allowing access to the incident site. Explosive may be used, or the team may decide to wait for hazards associated with avalanche conditions, time of day, and weather to naturally resolve.

An app was developed for the BC Search and Rescue Association to identify an extensive list of factors in an effort to ensure that they are considered when making decisions that could result in serious injury or death. The app was designed to be used by SAR Managers and Team Leaders and considers both SAR operational risks and response capabilities. It available as an iOS app, as a guide booklet, or as a reference card (see below). As of yet an Android App does not exist.

RADeMS Reference Card front and back.

RADeMS Operation Risk Score – Ground Search.

RADeMS Response Capability Score – Ground Search.