What To Do – Part 2

What to do if your partner goes down!

TIP: In dense tree areas or in poor visibility, ski or ride short pitches and stop to regroup often – stay within sight of your partner!

1. Don’t leave to get help – Stay with your partner!
2. Call for additional resources. Use a whistle or yell for assistance. If possible, call ski patrol or the resort’s emergency phone number.
3. Evaluate scene safety for yourself.
4. IMMEDIATELY begin snow immersion rescue efforts.
   • Go directly for the airway, and keep it clear, be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Clear any snow from the airway and continue necessary first aid or extrication effort.
5. Do not try to pull victim out the way they fell in. Instead, determine where the head is and tunnel in from the side.
   • When tunneling directly for the airway be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Continue expanding the tunnel to the airway until you can extricate the body. Efficient “strategic shoveling techniques” with multiple rescuers is very useful.