Dale Atkins

1. Dale Atkins Lessons Learned: Mistakes in avalanche rescue, the US experience. Colorado AvalancheInformation Center / Alpine Rescue Team German translation from Chris Utzinger.

2. Objectives • Identify common mistakes made in avalanche rescues by rescue teams. • (Reviewed avalanche rescues from 1950 to 2003.) Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

3. Mistake Categories Poor organization Mishandling the witness Inadequate hasty (quick) search Mismanaged search Personnel Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

4. Poor Organization • No rescue plan (or unpracticed plan) • Flawed leadership • Lack of proper equipment • Failure to utilize available personnel Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

5. Mishandling the Witness • Inaccurate information regarding: • Last seen area (LSA) • Number of victims • Location of the accident site • Failure to hold and question the witness • Failure to return witness to original vantage point • Failure to keep track of witness at accident site Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

6. Inadequate Hasty Search • No hasty search • Inadequate searching — missing visual clues • Silence — not listening for victim • Not finding the accident site Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

7. Mismanaged Search • Poor control over access to accident site • LZ / Staging area on debris • Not probing the entire debris field • Not probing the toe of the debris • Not probing/digging where dogs alert • Contamination of avalanche debris by rescuers Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

8. Personnel • Improperly trained • Improperly equipped • Poor physical condition Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

9. Solution • Develop and practice a written rescue plan. • The plan describes: • procedures • personnel • leadership • communications • equipment • resources Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue

10. Make the Plan Work Brainstorming, simulations, and practice are necessary to create the most effective rescue plan. Mistakes in Avalanche Rescue