SAFETY FOR THE EXTREME SKIER

EQUIPMENT

A SHOVEL, is used to dig a snow pit so that you can look at the snow conditions and see if they are safe to ski. If your partner gets caught in an avalanche, you can use a shovel to dig him or her out.

A TRANSEIVER, is a device that beeps to tell you where and how close you are to your partner if he or she is burried. The louder the beep, the closer you are to your partner. Once the beeps get loud you can use your probe pole to poke around and find them in the snow.

A PROBE POLE, is a ski pole that you can extend to poke around in the snow to find your buried partner.

QUICK TIPS FOR INCREASING YOUR ODDS IF YOU GET CAUGHT IN AN AVALANCHE

If you're stuck in an avalanch you have no idea where you are whatsoever. When you finally meet your destination, your pilot (the avalanche) will bury you in cold trouble. Try to create an air pocket around your mouth with your hands and plead for life and mercy (but remember to save your breath).

You definitely won't be having a good time when you are fighting against something thats completely out of your control--Try to swim with the snow until you stop.

To find out which way is up, spit in the air. If it lands on your face you are facing up. If it doesn't land on you, you are facing down.