History of Avalanche Safety Gear
1968 saw the creation of the first fully functional avalanche beacon (also called transceivers), the Skadi. During this same time, avalanche-expert Ed LaChapelle built a small pocket radio transceiver to locate signals being emitted by a buried beacon/transceiver. Today, avalanche transceivers are an essential part of any backcountry skier’s avalanche safety kit. The invention of such safety equipment has greatly increased the avalanche survival rate over the years. Time is still of the essence though when it comes to rescuing avalanche victims; 92% of avalanche victims survive if they’re dug out within 15 minutes. After that, their chances of survival plummet to 35% after 30 minutes, and are down to 25% after an hour. If you’re going to be backcountry skiing on unmarked, out of bounds terrain, it’s crucial that you take an avalanche safety course.
Components of Avalanche Safety Gear
As we mention above, backcountry skiing is all about being prepared for the unexpected -- and being prepared for the worst.
An avalanche transceiver/beacon is the most crucial part of the kit. Rescue teams can locate you more easily if you’re wearing a beacon. Your avalanche safety kit should also include an avalanche shovel. These are especially useful if some members of your group don’t get buried, and therefore are free to dig out their friends. If you're not sure exactly where someone is buried, using a probe is useful so you don't spend time digging in the wrong place. A probe is a long pole that's collapsible and light to carry, but strong and sturdy. You should also consider purchasing an Avalung, which can buy you some time once you’ve been buried. Avalungs are devices that help you breathe oxygen more effectively through the snow.
Avalanche Safety Buying Guide
If you’re looking to buy a complete safety kit, you should check out any of the items from Backcountry Access. They sell avalanche rescue packages, which include everything you need. You can also buy each of your safety kit items separately. Another brand we’d recommend checking out is Black Diamond. The Black Diamond Avalung II is a great option if you want to include this piece of equipment in your safety kit.