What To Do – Part 1

What to do if you go down!

• Yell or use whistle to get your partners attention.
• Do whatever you can to keep your head above the surface of the snow including rolling, grabbing tree branches or the tree trunk. If possible, keep your feet below level of your head.
• If you become immersed, make a space around your face and protect your airway – resist the urge to struggle, it could compromise your airspace and entrap you further.
• Stay calm to conserve air.
• Trust your partner is on their way.
• If possible, use your cell phone to call ski patrol or the resort’s emergency number.
  • Mt Hood Meadows Ski Patrol:
    • (503) 438-3216 – add this number to your contacts and favorites!
    • Dialing (503) 337-2222 ext. 1249 also reaches Ski Patrol
  • You can also add this contact to your Favorites like this – which makes it easy to quickly find and call Ski Patrol – see iPhone screenshot below …

Side Note: Rick “Oz” Oswald, who is featured in the above video, was killed during avalanche control work while guiding at Mt. Bailey. He was instrumental in the education of so many in our community.

• “It is with great sadness that we must announce we have lost our legendary lead guide Rick “Oz” Oswald. Oz was involved in an avalanche incident on March 22 2016 while guiding clients on Mt Bailey. While performing avalanche control he was caught in a slide and struck a tree, sustaining fatal injuries. Oz was a friend to all who met him and an icon who had guided on Mt Bailey since 1981. He is survived by his wife Tami and his son and fellow guide, Ryan.”   
• See this article: https://snowbrains.com/lead-guide-of-oregons-cat-ski-mt-bailey-killed-in-avalanche/