Essential Avalanche Drills Following Early-Season Burials
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We just wrapped up another intense session of the International Pro Riders Workshop (IPRW) at Grand Targhee Resort. Every year, our athletes like Parkin Costain and Kai Jones head to Targhee to sharpen their safety skills with the best in the business. IPRW is our way of ensuring that before anyone drops in this season, the entire crew is dialed on rescue protocols, medical training, and crevasse work. Now that we’ve put in the work at Targhee, it’s your turn. Early season is the time to build that muscle memory so your reactions are automatic.
Why Practice Now?
The stakes are already high this December. With multiple early season incidents serving as a reminder that avalanches don't wait for "peak" winter. Avalanche rescue is a race against the clock—survival chances drop significantly after just 10 minutes. By running these drills now, you ensure you aren't "fumbling" with new gear or rusty skills on the first powder day of the year.
1. The Beacon "Football" & Partner Hides
This isn't just a game; it's the fastest way to master signal acquisition.
- The Drill: Construct a "beacon football" by hollowing out a foam ball and taping a transmitting beacon inside.
- The Level Up: Have a partner toss it into tall grass, leaves, or a snowfield without you looking.
- Key Focus: Use this to get familiar with your device's specific sounds and quirkiness. Listen for how the beep tone changes as the distance numbers drop, and learn to trust your ears as much as the screen.
2. Standard Beacon Search (Run / Walk / Crawl)
This is your standard beacon field search, this can be done with a partner in a snowfield or at beacon training centers at ski resorts or parks. A common mistake is moving at one speed. Training emphasizes matching your pace to your distance. Fast when you’re far away, deliberate when you’re close.
- Run (Signal Search): Move as fast as possible until you acquire a signal and get within roughly 10 meters.
- Walk (Coarse Search): Slow down slightly between 10 and 3 meters to ensure the processor can keep up with your movement.
- Crawl (Fine Search): From 3 meters down, move at a "crawl." This is where you build your grid on the snow surface to find the lowest possible number.
3. Probing Pattern Precision
Probing is where you actually pinpoint the body. Sticking it blindly in the snow is a waste of critical seconds.
- Spiral Technique: Start from your lowest distance reading and probe in a spiral pattern.
- The Grid: Space each strike no more than 25 cm apart.
- Strike Recognition: Practice feeling the difference between a "hard" strike (rock or ice) and a "springy" strike (a body).
- Crucial Step: Once you get a strike, leave the probe in the snow. It serves as your target for shoveling and prevents you from losing the location.
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4. Multiple Burial Mastery
When there’s more than one signal, the stress level spikes. Most modern beacons have a "mark" or "flag" function to handle this.
- The Drill: Have a partner bury two beacons 10-15 meters apart.
- The Workflow: Find the first beacon, "mark" it once you have a pinpoint, and immediately move to the next signal.
- The "Three Circle" Backup: If your marking function fails, take three steps away from the first victim and walk in a circle to pick up the next strongest signal.
5. The Shoveling "Power" Drill
Shoveling is the most physically exhausting and time-consuming part of a rescue.
- Strategic Shoveling: Start on the downhill side of the probe, at a distance roughly 1.5x the burial depth.
- V-Shaped Conveyor: If you have multiple rescuers, line up in a V-shape. The person at the point of the V "chops and sweeps" snow, while those behind "paddle" it further away.
- Rotation: Swap the front shoveler every 60 to 90 seconds to keep the pace high before they burn out.
Beyond the Drills: Stay Informed
Preparation isn't just about physical skills; it's about information.
- Check the Forecast: Before heading out, check your local avalanche center (like avalanche.ca or avalanche.org) for the latest danger ratings.
- New Education Tracks: AIARE has launched a new free online "Avalanche Aware" course for those needing a quick refresher.
- Update Your Gear: Ensure your firmware is updated and batteries are fresh.
