Climbing Falls

Climbing season has arrived! Here's an educational video, and some pro-tip reminders: 1) always wear your helmet, 2) use reasonable runouts and 3) don't backclip!



Be careful out there!!

A Rescuer's Perspective

Here's an interesting video shot from the helmet cam of a rescuer in Banff National Park.



More information at the Adventure Journal

Wear your helmets out there!!

Ice Climbing Fall

The Internet is becoming a great source of accident post-mortem videos, and here is another in the genre. The video and online comments here and here are educational.


Fall on Vimeo: thanks to Jeffrey Butler for sharing.

Spring Avalanche

Backcountry ski conditions have been good, and we still have a couple months to go in our spring season. Avalanche risk in the spring is normally lower than mid-winter. But it can happen.

Here's an educational video published by a Swiss skier who was caught in an avalanche recently.



The skier suffered broken vertebra, but survived. Thanks to thomasiasus for sharing.

Tree Well Survival

Tree wells occur in deep snow. They form a narrow vertical chute next to the tree trunk, and can be six feet deep or more. Self-rescue from a tree well is difficult.

Tree well fatalities can be described as "Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death", or NARSID. Learn more about NARSID here.

Here's a video taken by a man who was caught in a tree well on Mt. Shasta.



Luckily this man was found and rescued by local ski patrollers. See more at NWCN News.

BAMRU has been involved in a number of tree-well related operations this season. We can testify that it is often difficult to see someone who has fallen into a tree well.

When skiing in deep snow, go with a partner! And keep your partner in sight! Learn more safety tips at treewelldeepsnowsafety.com.

Group Decision Making

We've had heavy snowfall recently, and BAMRU is looking forward to more winter trainings over the coming weeks. During these trainings, we sometimes discuss team decision making, and consider the inter-personal dynamics that help keep a group safe.

This video shows Montana skiers who were caught in an avalanche and rescued by nearby first responders. It highlights group decisions that led to a negative outcome.



Accident reports are a valuable learning tool. Thanks to the Montana skiers for sharing.

Related Material: Accidents in North American Mountaineering

A Victim's Perspective

Here is an interesting video posted by a climber in the Tetons who took a fall and was rescued by local climbing rangers.

Rescue on Valhalla Traverse from getungrounded on Vimeo.

Treatment and Evacuation on Mt. Diablo

Last week a BAMRU member was the first responder for a hiker who was found unconscious on Mt. Diablo. The hiker was treated and regained consciousness, but was not ambulatory. Helicopter extraction was arranged, and a 'one-skid' ridge top landing zone was selected. The hiker was safely evacuated.



Another video here...

Rogue Wave at Mavericks

BAMRU supports San Mateo county during the annual Mavericks surf contest.  Typical duties include routine medical assistance and crowd control.

But yesterday, the routine was broken by a rogue wave that swept thru the viewing area.



A BAMRU member was hit by the wave, swept 30'-40', and suffered bruises, abrasions, a lost shoe and cellphone.  Among the crowd, there were broken bones, numerous cuts and abrasions.

Avalanche Control

Funny clip that shows avalanche control operations using a rocket launcher and helicopter.

Surviving an Avalanche, Caught on Camera

In this amazing video courtesy of National Geographic's Adventure Blog, we are provided an unique insight into what it must be like to fall victim to an avalanche. To me, the video was particularly striking in showing the claustrophobia that seemed to grip the skier, especially as his rescuers momentarily turn away from him.  Among other things, the video highlights the need to maintain victim/rescuer communication at all times.



Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo.