OCR Text |
Show Stage I I I As Needed: Avalanche cords Climbing skins Climbing rope Headlamps and spare batteries Portable radio Probes Shovels Tents Stoves Flares Blankets Warm C l o t h i ng Snowshoes Gas Lanterns Heavy illumination equ ipment Food Hot Beverages Sleeping bags Stage III provides the backup support for a prolonged rescue. In addition to the regular equipment needed by each member of the column ( left- above), the main requirements are for food, warmth and relief manpower delivered to the accident scene. The quantity and complexity of this logistic support depends on so many factors of terrain, climate, character of the accident and number of rescuers involved that no details can be specified here. In general, support equipment for a prolonged rescue will not be stored in avalanche caches, but can be procured from such groups as mountain rescue organizations, the Forest Service, the county sheriff or the Red Cross who are equipped to furnish major assistance. Two exceptions which should be stored or held available in advance are communication and illumination equipment. It is difficult to conceive of a smooth running rescue operation today without portable communication equipment. A wide variety of high- quality two- way radio equipment is available in remarkably compact form. In some instances larger organizations such as the professional ski patrols at major areas may have their own equipment. More often arrangements can be made for emergency use of existing radio communications of the Forest Service, the county sheriff, or highway patrolmen and maintenance crews, most important is to have top grade equipment which is kept in good working order. Portable radios preferably should be available one for each rescue stage. Portable power megaphones are a useful adjunct to communication. They make the accident site commander's job much easier, and can also be used to good effect for warnings from the avalanche guard. High- quality equipment is essential; the experience with inexpensive units during the rigors of a mountain storm has been poor. Megaphones using rechargeable nickle- cadmium batteries are the best, for these are much less affected by low temperatures than are dry batteries. Ideally a megaphone should accompany one of the First Stage columns. If this is not possible, access to a megaphone could at least be arranged for Stage III. Most serious rescue operations run into the night. Personal headlamps are essential for travel and work by individual rescuers, but these provide only 29 |