| OCR Text |
Show Stage I I I Speed is emphasized for Stages I and II. As a consequence, volunteers arrive at the accident site with minimum equipment other than that essential for the rescue. If the operation is prolonged, work at night is inevitable. Snowfall, wind and low temperatures are the rule for avalanche rescues. Stage III is the support phase of the rescue. Illumination equipment, food, hot beverage, warm clothing, relief manpower and shelter all lie in the province of Third Stage support operations. With the First and Second Stages dispatched, the rescue leader can turn his attention to alerting civil authorities, calling for extra manpower, and planning the needed additional support. The extent to which the Third Stage is activated will vary widely according to size and distance of the accident. In some cases it may never be necessary. In others, usually prolonged search in major avalanches aimed more at recovering bodies than saving lives, the Third Stage may become the major part of the rescue. Ordinarily the rescue leader will turn to the county sheriff, the Red Cross, organized rescue groups and such agencies as the Forest Service for any extended logistic support. Good communication between the rescue leader and the accident site commander is essential for proper organization of the Third Stage and delivery of the proper resources at the proper time. Poor communication can easily lead to either over- or undercommitment of logistic support during the Thi rd Stage. The rescue leader obviously is a man with his hands full. Whenever possible, he will designate an assistant to act as communications and liaison man. Because speed is so critical to avalanche rescue, the immediate dispatch of the First Stage takes precedence over other procedures. Once this is done, the rescue leader has to notify the sheriff, District Ranger, other law officers, arrange communications, call on helicopter support, locate a doctor, get the Second Stage underway, and plan ahead to the Third. A judicious delegation of jobs to an assistant and other responsible persons will greatly simplify the rescue. ( See Figure 2.) 1.4 A Ski Area Rescue Description of a hypothetical rescue may clarify the foregoing procedures. A ficticious ski area is shown in Figure 3. An avalanche, designated Accident 1, occurs just east of the upper terminal of Lift No. 2 at 1500 hours. A lone skier is buried. A witness skis down from the accident scene and reports the accident to the lift operator at A ( time 1505). The rescue proceeds as follows: 1. The operator at A sounds the avalanche alarm. 2. All lift operators at A, B, and C hold available manpower at their respective terminals. The ski lifts are cleared for conveyance of rescue personnel. 3. Operator at A attempts to contact the rescue leader. The leader is reached at 1507 and he directs the ensuing operation. 10 |
