If in doubt this should really help us all make better calls, when planing a day off-piste or in the Backcountry.
Considering that most fatalities are found around Level 2 and 3 on the scale.
HAZARD + PEOPLE = RISK
Avalanche scale made clearer.
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I totally agree, I've noticed this and even from professionals! Its confusing to the general public which is not ideal.
Level 3 is considerable and actually where most people are at risk of triggering and being caught
in there own avalanche.
If the new graphic's performance in NZ is anything to go on it's seems to work well what ever the exact choice of words. Its more about the graphic and getting the message across right? We all just need to be on the same program! Keeping it simple.
People will still make their own judgements! (whether they've done an avalanche course or not, but what would you prefer)
The 'Don't go' idea just might make some people think twice or consider the risk more and thats a good thing!
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Started by Tinderbox Ski School in Avalanche Safety 31-Oct-2011 - 7 Replies
Tinderbox Ski School posted Oct-2011
Just wanted to share this great visual way to interpret the avalanche danger scale.
If in doubt this should really help us all make better calls, when planing a day off-piste or in the Backcountry.
Considering that most fatalities are found around Level 2 and 3 on the scale.
HAZARD + PEOPLE = RISK
If in doubt this should really help us all make better calls, when planing a day off-piste or in the Backcountry.
Considering that most fatalities are found around Level 2 and 3 on the scale.
HAZARD + PEOPLE = RISK
www
tinderboxskischool.com Chamonix ski school & guides
Ski like you mean it! www.tinderboxskischool.com
Admin
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Nov-2011
That's nice and clear - although I think it's missed a trick by not including the yellow/checked flags that are used just about everywhere.
It would be nice to see that built into a standard sign - with a big flashing light next to the current, local, risk level - that can be installed at the bottom of every major lift...
It would be nice to see that built into a standard sign - with a big flashing light next to the current, local, risk level - that can be installed at the bottom of every major lift...
The Admin Man
Tinderbox Ski School
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Nov-2011
Hi there,
This is the new graphic for the avalanche danger scale that everyone should now be adopting.
We should be seeing more of this from now on:
This is the new graphic for the avalanche danger scale that everyone should now be adopting.
We should be seeing more of this from now on:
www
tinderboxskischool.com Chamonix ski school & guides
Ski like you mean it! www.tinderboxskischool.com
Admin
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Nov-2011
Shame they missed the flags off that too! 8)
I have to say I'm with the minority who think the scale could be reduced to three levels.
The first graphic pretty much distils it down to :-
Take Care!
Take Extra Care!!
Don't Go!!!
There is definitely a psychological temptation to (erroneously) see Level 3 as "Medium" simply because it's listed in the middle of the scale.
Do you know if the refined 5-level scale is being rolled out worldwide or is it just Europe?
I have to say I'm with the minority who think the scale could be reduced to three levels.
The first graphic pretty much distils it down to :-
Take Care!
Take Extra Care!!
Don't Go!!!
There is definitely a psychological temptation to (erroneously) see Level 3 as "Medium" simply because it's listed in the middle of the scale.
Do you know if the refined 5-level scale is being rolled out worldwide or is it just Europe?
The Admin Man
Tinderbox Ski School
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Nov-2011
Its currently in use in NZ
Looks like they will be rolling it out across Europe
Check out the EAWS news - http://www.avalanches.org/news/
Having used it this last NZ winter I've found it works well, we should also see some new
graphics to show more specific hazards including what 'aspects' and the 'elevation'
Not sure what will happen to the current flags? They are still relevant to the scale so should stick around.
The way that they have tied in 'avalanche skills' is quite interesting, that's of course if people are honest with the evaluation of their own skills?!
Looks like they will be rolling it out across Europe
Check out the EAWS news - http://www.avalanches.org/news/
Having used it this last NZ winter I've found it works well, we should also see some new
graphics to show more specific hazards including what 'aspects' and the 'elevation'
Not sure what will happen to the current flags? They are still relevant to the scale so should stick around.
The way that they have tied in 'avalanche skills' is quite interesting, that's of course if people are honest with the evaluation of their own skills?!
www
tinderboxskischool.com Chamonix ski school & guides
Ski like you mean it! www.tinderboxskischool.com
Tinderbox Ski School
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Dec-2011
Admin wrote:
There is definitely a psychological temptation to (erroneously) see Level 3 as "Medium" simply because it's listed in the middle of the scale.
I totally agree, I've noticed this and even from professionals! Its confusing to the general public which is not ideal.
Level 3 is considerable and actually where most people are at risk of triggering and being caught
in there own avalanche.
www
tinderboxskischool.com Chamonix ski school & guides
Ski like you mean it! www.tinderboxskischool.com
Avalanche Academy
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Dec-2011
I think it might be a little while yet before we see a truly harmonised system across Europe. There are still wranglings over the exact words to be used (The Swiss prefer "Very High" to Extreme for example), and other details. However, the different countries involved are working together to find a solution.
One system for the whole planet has to be the way to go, but personally I don't like the idea of "Don't go, Experts etc". I think people have to make their own judgements.
One system for the whole planet has to be the way to go, but personally I don't like the idea of "Don't go, Experts etc". I think people have to make their own judgements.
Tinderbox Ski School
reply to 'Avalanche scale made clearer.' posted Dec-2011
Avalanche Academy wrote: One system for the whole planet has to be the way to go, but personally I don't like the idea of "Don't go, Experts etc". I think people have to make their own judgements.
If the new graphic's performance in NZ is anything to go on it's seems to work well what ever the exact choice of words. Its more about the graphic and getting the message across right? We all just need to be on the same program! Keeping it simple.
People will still make their own judgements! (whether they've done an avalanche course or not, but what would you prefer)
The 'Don't go' idea just might make some people think twice or consider the risk more and thats a good thing!
www
tinderboxskischool.com Chamonix ski school & guides
Ski like you mean it! www.tinderboxskischool.com
Topic last updated on 29-December-2011 at 19:20