Snowboarders, skiers and winter sports enthusiasts face real danger on snow-covered mountains. Avalanches kills hundreds of people every year, but the tragic truth about these disasters is that nearly all people caught in an avalanche have triggered it themselves. Awareness of the danger must include knowledge of how to prevent an avalanche as well as what to do if one occurs. Avalanches can be caused by rapid changes in the weather which affect the snowpack. As snow falls and builds up over many weeks, the bonds between the layers, or snowpacks, can be weak, encouraging an avalanche. Avalanches also occur because of the terrain and degree of slope. On slopes greater than 38 degrees, avalanches are more likely to form. On a lesser-angled slope, snow will move only if it is heavily loaded. However, even a shallow snowpack can produce an avalanche under the right weather conditions. In the spring, as the weather warms, water can carry the snow down a smaller angled slope. Avalanche awareness also includes knowledge of the different types of avalanches. A dry snowpack, for example, moves at a faster speed, up to 120 mph, while wet snow, which is heavier, can travel at speeds less than 5 mph. The faster the speed, the more dangerous, and deadly, the avalanche. Injury can occur by being dragged by the snow through trees and over cliffs; death happens when a person is buried and suffocates. The longer a person is under the snow, the lesser the chance of surviving. The weight of the snow itself, the loss of oxygen and the possibility of freezing to death produce most of the tragedies of an avalanche. Your ability to survive an avalanche depends on knowing what to do rather than depending on someone to dig you out within a few quick minutes. Wearing a transceiver which can send a signal is the best way to protect yourself in case of an avalanche. Be sure the device is set to send signals and turned on before you begin the day. As part of your avalanche awareness, remember these simple steps as part of your pre- snowboarding checklist: 1. Check the weather and condition of the snowpack. 2. Consider the potential hazard level. How has the ski patrol graded the slopes? 3. Be cautious. If something doesn’t feel right on the mountain, get off the slopes. 4. Evaluate frequently throughout the day for changes in the conditions. 5. Stay aware of your surroundings and remain alert for the sights, sounds and feel of an avalanche. Your snowboarding safety depends on your knowledge, experience and awareness of the dangers of avalanches. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society