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Snowmobilers not #1 for avalanche fatalities in the US this year.
Only 4 snowmobile avalanche fatalities in the US this year. The last time it was lower than 4 was in the winter of 93-94.
We were only 25% of the total fatalities. Winter 2009-2010 we were 47%, Winter 2008-2009 we were 57%.
Previous to this winter, snowmobilers were #1 for fatalities for 9 out of 10 years.
It’s good to see the numbers dropping.
What could be contributing to the lower numbers?
-More snowmobilers are taking classes.
-Snowmobilers are adapting to the best technology (avalanche airbags) faster than any other user group in the US.
-More riders are carrying the essential avalanche gear and implementing what they learn in class.
-Online forums, magazines, clubs and individuals are providing information about avalanches.
-Riders are becoming proactive instead of reactive.
-Some of the snowmobile films are promoting avalanche education.
-A couple of the snowmobile manufacturers are carrying high quality best technology avalanche gear at their dealerships.
-Riders are surviving avalanches. The ones who are surviving are trained and prepared, which increases your odds tremendously.
-Many riders are altering their riding according to the danger and checking avalanche reports.
-More riders are boondocking, less emphasis on big climbs with many riders.
Does education make a difference?
I think it does. I know of 10 people in the last 5 years that have saved their own life or the lives of others after taking my class. Also hear from students, who decided not to climb a hill due to their stability assessment and then returned later in the day to see that the hill slid. Also seeing riders buy the essential gear after taking a class.
The hardest person to get in class is the long term western local. Who’s number one for fatalities the last few years? It’s almost 100% the long term western local. Many of these riders are not carrying the essential gear and doing things the same way they always have. Many are not proficient with their avalanche beacons and have not taken a class or took a class a very long time ago.
Five years ago, 50% of the snowmobile avalanche fatalities were riders from the upper Midwest.
The Future?
One year of change does not make a trend. This may just be a lucky year, but I am seeing riders more prepared and prepared riders surviving. Avalanche accidents are still happening, which will always be the case since avalanches are not 100% predictable. What’s impressive is the prepared riders are pulling off some amazing rescues. What’s not impressive is some of the same mistakes are being repeated every year (multiple riders on the hill with riders parked in the run out zone).
Stock snowmobiles keep getting better and will make it easier to access more avalanche prone terrain. Riders need to be on top of their game more than ever.
The next step.
Get even more riders to attend classes and take an on the snow rescue class, carry the right gear, know how to use the gear and implement what you learned in class. Only ride with people who have the gear and knowledge, your life may depend on it. The snowmobile community has done an excellent job of increasing awareness, but the job is not done yet. It takes much more than awareness to consistently keep the numbers down. Thanks to everyone who has made such an effort to reduce avalanche accidents among snowmobilers. I feel the Snowest forum has been very influential in bringing about the needed change.
Mike Duffy
Avalanche1.com
Avalanche education for mountain riders.
.....i also belive that we as a sport may have scared ourselves last year with the BIS....i mean i am sure i was not the only one getting the chat from everyone and there dog about backcounrty safety at the gas pumps. we can also thank burandt for making it cool to head into the tight trees.....this is a big factor....
