HOW TO SURVIVE A DISASTER - AVALANCHE

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Skier Caught in Avalanche in British Columbia TRT, Fusion TV, Inc. (CC BY 3.0).https://vimeo.com/65061960 

Getting caught in an avalanche is every backcountry skier’s nightmare. Technically, an avalanche is any amount of snow sliding down a mountainside. An avalanche can be composed of many different kinds of snow depending on the region, temperature and weather. These moving masses can reach speeds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour within about five seconds. 

BEFORE AN AVALANCHE

• The most simplistic way of avoiding getting caught in an avalanche is to recognize where one is most likely to occur.

• Don't venture onto any slopes covered with snow without checking the weather forecast.

• Be extra careful if there has been a recent storm or snowfall.

• Any slope capable of producing an avalanche eventually will. Cracks and whooping sounds are good warnings of a pending avalanche. Look out for warning signs.

• Be aware of the tracks of any  avalanche that has occured recently. Most avalanche paths are obvious, appearing as an open slope, bowl or gully shape.  Other common give-aways are bent or damaged trees. 

• Always move in a group. Let others know of your whereabouts.

• Buy and wear an avalanche beacon, a small radio that will transmit your location to rescue crews.

• Carry avalanche survival gear like a shovel, a helmet, and Skier's air bags 

• Do a snow pack test. Depth of each footstep, cornice build up and wind patterns show how well the snow is packed together. If snow breaks up when you step on it avoid steep areas for an avalanche danger is very high. To do a snow pack test is very simple. Cut out a square slab of snow. Check the pack on the layers using a shovel, fist or pick depending on the hardness you are dealing with. By figuring out the pack of the snow you can assess the risk of avalanches.

WHEN THE AVALANCHE BEGINS

• JUMP UPSLOPE. Most avalanche victims trigger the avalanche themselves, and sometimes the avalanche will start right beneath their feet. If this happens, try to jump up slope, beyond the fracture line. 

• MOVE SIDEWAYS. The cen­ter of an avalanche is where the snow moves the fastest, mak­ing it the most dan­ger­ous place for you to be.The best strat­egy to avoid get­ting caught is to move side­ways. It’s impor­tant to begin mov­ing imme­di­ately after you notice the signs of an avalanche, because the quicker you get out of the way the higher your chances of sur­vival. 

• GRAB SOMETHING. While major avalanches have the strength to rip trees and rocks from the ground, grab­bing onto them dur­ing a smaller slide can keep you in a sta­tic loca­tion and not get dis­ori­ented as the snow com­pacts around you.

• DEPLOY AIRBAGS. If you have an avalanche air bag, deploy it if you can — it keeps you near the surface, decreasing your chances of being buried. 

• LET GO OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT.Abandon ski equipment. It can drag you down and provide more torque on your extremities, leading to broken bones. If your pack is light and has emergency equipment inside, keep it with you.

• GET AWAY FROM HEAVY MACHINES. If you are thrown from your snowmobile, try to get away from the machine.

Backcountry Avalanche Awareness from Backcountry Magazine (CC BY 3.0)  https://vimeo.com/35955211

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE AVALANCHE

• SWIM HARD. This is essential to helping you stay near the surface of the snow. The human body is much denser than snow, so you'll tend to sink as you get carried downhill. Try to stay afloat by kicking your feet and thrashing your arms in a swimming motion.

• PUT YOUR ARM UP. Thrust your arm or any part of your body through the snow as it comes to a stop so rescuers can see you.

• CRE­ATE AN AIR POCKET. Cup­ping your mouth when you are being thrown around by the snow will cre­ate a small pocket of air for you to sur­vive on for up to 30 min­utes. Once you’ve come to a stop, dig out a hole around your face. Another strat­egy is to expand your chest by fill­ing your lungs with air so that you have more room to breath once the snow has settled.

• SPIT. Spit in the space in front of your mouth. Note where gravity carries your spit, then dig in the opposite direction.

• SHOUT. If you hear people nearby, try to call them, but don't keep it up if they don't seem to hear you. Shouting just wastes your limited air supply.

• REMAIN CALM. If you can keep your head, you can stay alive. In most cases, victims have a 15-minute window in which they can carve out areas to breathe under the snow. Don't waste precious breath by struggling against the snow. Remain calm and wait to be rescued.

Always remember

It is easy to avoid a disaster but difficult to survive one. 

Never try to test the forces of nature. 

Stay safe.

HOW TO SURVIVE A DISASTER - FLOODS

Flooding in Brimstage lane, Wirral from merseypics, CC attribution 3.0, https://vimeo.com/50203644

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The change in climate pattern due to global warming is a leading cause for extreme weather all over the world. Such weather can turn into a major disaster in a very short time.

One of the most common hazards and disasters are floods. Not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly over time while some such as flash floods can develop in just a few minutes. Sometimes, there may not even be a single sign of rain and the flood me caused by rain in other areas or a breach in a canal.

Flooding and Flash Floods are a very real danger. Every year, people are injured. Some people lose their lives because they are taken off guard by storms or rushing floodwaters.

Here's What you need to know to survive in a flood!

PREPARE FOR SURVIVAL BEFORE A FLOOD

• Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.
• Listen to the radio or television for information.
• If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground right away. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box, that is located up high and out of harm's way.
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. The kit should contain:
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Identification, such as a passport, driver's license, etc.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members, such as diapers, toys, etc.
• Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.

EVACUATION

• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

• Driving in Floods

• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• A foot of water will float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-up trucks.

Irene Aftermath (Delaware)from Lou Angeli , CC attribution 3.0,  https://vimeo.com/28274907

AFTER A FLOOD

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink. Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
• Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters. There may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
• Look out for animals, especially snakes. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.

PROTECTION FOR THE FUTURE

There are some tips you can learn before the next storm. These tips will help to keep you and your family safe from flash floods:

• Do not build in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from drain back-ups.
• Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
• Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don't smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

We cannot prevent all disasters but we can minimize the losses caused by them if we are well prepared. After all, FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED!