Adherence of Backcountry Winter Recreationists to Avalanche Prevention and Safety Practices in Northern Italy
Backcountry recreationists account for approximately 47% of all annual avalanche fatalities in Europe. Although there are an increasing number of backcountry users, the annual mortality secondary to avalanches remains approximately the same. Despite efforts to increase avalanche education and awareness, accidents and fatalities continue to occur. The investigators conducted a comprehensive survey of skiers and snowshoers in the backcountry to assess avalanche prevention and safety practices.
A verbal questionnaire was administered at 22 backcountry access points during a 1-week period in the European Alps near South Tyrol, Italy. Data were collected from 1927 groups, and of the 5576 individuals who participated in the survey, 77.7% were skiers and 22.3% were snowshoers. Overall, a greater proportion of the skier group had read the avalanche bulletins compared with the snowshoer group (78.4% vs 47%), and the skier group better identified the correct avalanche danger for the day (52.5% vs 28%). Additionally, skiers were much more likely to carry standard rescue equipment including transceiver, probe, and shovel when compared with snowshoers (80.6% vs 13.7%). Other factors associated with greater adherence to minimal advisable avalanche safety practices included younger age, more backcountry tours per season, traveling in a larger group, and starting earlier in the day. Individuals traveling alone were the least informed and prepared for backcountry travel.
The investigators defined “complete adherence” as having read the avalanche bulletin, being able to recall the danger rating, and carrying standard safety equipment. For the skier and snowshoer groups combined, there was only a 41.5% rate of complete adherence, whereas 36.5% had partial adherence and 21.9% had no adherence to standard safety recommendations. The authors identified an obvious need for further education of safe backcountry travel and avalanche awareness practices. Future studies should include transnational surveys to detect regional differences and correlating backcountry travel practices with morbidity and mortality.
(Scand J Med Sci Sports 2013 July [Epub ahead of print]) E Procter, G Strapazzon, T Dal Cappello, L Castlunger, HP Staffler, H Brugger.
Prepared by Wendy Hanna, MD, University of Utah Emergency Medicine Resident, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.