The B.C. Coroner called for extra care to be taken in the backcountry now that avalanches are a present danger.
Barb McLintock, Coroner-Strategic Programs, said on Thursday that the people going out into the winter wilderness best be certain they have trained and equipped themselves for the deadly traps in the snowpack. "During the 2010-11 winter season, a total of nine people died when they
were caught up in backcountry avalanches - and virtually all of those
deaths were preventable," McLintock said.
One fatality has already occurred in B.C. this year, when an autumn avalanche took the life of experienced snowmobiler Dallas Mayert, 40. McLintock explained that he was in the majority in one sense, because two-thirds of B.C.'s fatal avalanche victims are snowmobiling at the time, but he was an exception in another sense. Most - all but two - of last year's victims were visiting B.C. from somewhere else in Western Canada.
Eight of the nine deaths were of males. The average age of those who died was 44 years. None were children or teenagers.
"The BC Coroners Service, along with the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC)
and Emergency Management BC, has found that avalanche awareness is
improving, and more backcountry users are carrying essential avalanche
safety equipment - transceivers, shovels and probes," said McLintock. "As well, recommended equipment such as avalanche balloon packs are becoming increasingly popular. However, many still have not taken sufficient training to use that equipment to its greatest effectiveness. A person buried in an avalanche can suffocate in minutes."
One of the people involved in local snowmobiling told The Citizen that the death of his friend Mayert affected his habits already.
"I've already gone out to buy a better probe. I carry an extra beacon and an extra shovel," said the man who would not be named. "I'm going to keep encouraging people to take the seminars and get the training. You can't cut yourself off from that kind of knowledge."
Mayert was a professional auto racer, with car and snowmobile experience. He was reportedly riding a Turbo 600 machine the day the snow shifted. The friend said "I was thinking about getting a turbo myself, but now I know I've got enough power to get where I want to go. I don't need to raise the risk level that much more. But it is a passion for me and a lot of people. We're in Prince George, we've got six months of winter. I see that snow and I say 'yeehaaa' but you don't have to shut your brain off to enjoy it."
Information about training courses is provided through the CAC. New this
year is the one-day Companion Rescue course, which focuses on the skills
needed to respond to an avalanche incident. For more information, see the
CAC website at www.avalanche.ca where you will find a basic online course,
as well as information on introductory and advanced avalanche skills
training courses.
"This training is essential for anyone planning to venture into the backcountry in winter," McLintocock said.
