Avalanche rescue training gets boost from new equipment

127452

SNOW SAFE: Ski patroller Michel Lepage installing an avalanche transceiver training system at The Remarkables Ski Area.

Relevant offers

Queenstown

A force to be reckoned with DQ boss quits job after 8 months Hang-glider pilot fined for flying after licence revoked Tree fall investigated Southern skifields preferred venues Course through Wanaka stays Man killed by falling tree Oakridge companies go under Falling tree causes death Gibbston river trail saved by fundraiser auction

Avalanche transceiver training areas installed at Cardrona, Treble Cone and the Remarkables Ski Areas could assist greatly in helping to save lives, Mountain Safety Council avalanche programme manager Steve Schreiber said yesterday A vision by Wakatipu professional backcountry skier and heliski guide Jeff Desbecker has now become a reality with transmitters installed for free public use at all three ski areas.

The idea was to provide backcountry travellers with the opportunity to practise free of charge and encourage those who went into the backcountry to practise their avalanche transceiver rescue skills as often as they liked, Mr Desbecker said.

Each of the three units had cost about $2500 and extra funding for installation and maintenance had also been raised.

"The project is about saving lives through snow safety education," Mr Desbecker said.

"I'm stoked to see this project up and running after a lot of dedicated hard work by the local branch of the Mountain Safety Council." The systems would go a long way towards providing easily accessible training grounds for backcountry enthusiasts to practice their avalanche burial searching techniques.

The training areas would also be a bonus for the many local guides, ski patrollers, search and rescue personnel and other snow professionals in helping to maintain their levels of searching proficiency, Mr Desbecker said.

He also hoped the high number of avalanche courses held in the region would get a lot of use out of these systems.

"This all can only be a good thing for increasing the safety in the winter backcountry mountain environment." Mr Schreiber said being ready to rescue your mates was "just sensible".

Worldwide it had been learned that practising with appropriate safety gear was the best way to prepare.

Every year in New Zealand avalanche accidents and near misses happened and nobody knew about them unless someone was critically injured or died.

"Preparing for the worst is a prudent attitude as avalanches are a prime example of nature releasing its awesome potential.

"Learning to read terrain, understanding who you are travelling with and making good decisions is the best way to avoid getting into trouble," Mr Schreiber said.

He acknowledged the support of the Community Trust of Otago and the Central Lakes Trust who helped the safety council provide the opportunity for everyone to "stay current" with this safety gear.

"I would also like to thank Jef Desbecker for driving this project," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News