DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

Know your colors - Learn the Avalanche Danger Scales and correspondingcolors used where you live or plan to visit.Get equipped - Carry gear like portable shovels, collapsible probes, highfrequency avalanche beacons (transceivers), etc. and learn how to use it!Check it out - Check forecasts and avalanche advisories before going out.Turn it on - Switch beacon on prior to entering the backcountry! Check thebattery strength and verify the “transmit” and “receive” functionality witheveryone in your group to ensure beacons are picking up both signals.Secure it - Before crossing a snow covered slope in avalanche terrain,fasten clothing securely to keep snow out and remove your ski pole straps.DURING AN AVALANCHE:Bail - Try to get out of the way if possible! (For example, if a skier orboarder - ski out diagonally... if on a snowmobile - drive downhill, etc.)If YOU are caught in the avalanche...Scream and drop it - Yell and drop your ski poles (or anything in yourhands) so they don’t drag you down.Start swimming - Use “swimming” motions, thrusting upward to try to staynear the surface of the snow.Prepare to make an air pocket - Try to keep your arms and hands movingso the instant the avalanche stops you can make an air pocket in front ofyour face by punching in the snow around you before it sets.If you see SOMEONE ELSE caught in the avalanche...Watch - Keep an eye on victim as they are carried downhill esp the lastpoint you saw them.AFTER AN AVALANCHE:If YOU are caught in the avalanche...Make an air pocket ASAP! - The INSTANT the avalanche stops try tomaintain an air pocket in front of your face by using your hands and armsto punch in the snow and make a pocket of air. (You only have 1-3 secondsbefore the snow sets -- most deaths are due to suffocation.)38 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325