I'm not going to use this knowledge until December, but it won't hurt to ask now
<br><br>Small group of adults and almost-adults goes skiing. The terrain is quite civilized so there won't be real survival situation - just "uncomfortable" one. The question is: what are the threats and what should I take to avoid them? Here you have my thoughts - can you tell me what have I forgotten about?<br><br>I'm the only one of the group who cares about being prepared, other would make fun of it, so I would rather minimize the odd stuff (fortunately, skiing jacket has lots of pockets for the gear). BTW, Leatherman is not odd, people around me already know that I carry it everywear (and I'm helpful with it: "Anobody got a screwdriver? Or a knife? Or a nail file?" "All of them, which one would be best?"
).<br><br><br><br>Dangers:<br>1)
Equipment problems<br>Propability: almost certain<br><br>I once lost a day of skiing because of a lose screw in sunglasses (I only have a few minutes way down and I was almost blind at the end!) Other guy, other year, had to go down on one ski - again, a screw problem. I whish I had my Leatherman then...<br><br>2)
Weather breakdown <br>Propability: high<br><br>By a breakdown I mean very low temperature, strong wind, massive snowing or blizzard, dense fog. Already came through something like that - fortunately it wasn't enough to kill us - but enough to kill the joy.<br><br>3)
Skiing accident<br>Propability: medium<br><br>It never happened to me or somebody from my group, but it's quite possible. Fortunately, rescue team would be there in a few minutes. I think that securing a broken limb to a ski or a pole would be enough (or maybe it's better to leave it untouched if professional help would be there so quickly?)<br><br>4)
Lost at the slope<br>Propability: low<br><br>Almost impossible during good weather, hard even in bad weather - the slope shows the direction. We also been in this place many times.<br><br>5)
Avalanch<br>Propability: low<br><br>In my cuuntry, mountain rescuers are paranoid about avalanches - if there's a slight danger, the lifts are closed and there are big red signs, blinking lights, etc. For many years, nobody was taken by an avalanch without entering the forbidden area.<br><br>BTW, how do you like the story? Last year a group of tourists was taken by the avalanch on the closed track. They passed by several signs saying that there's a highest possible level of avalanch danger and all the tracks in the area are closed. The rescue team arrived quickly and was taken by a second avalanch - several rescuers were killed. Some of the tourists survived - maybe stoning them in a public place wouldn't be a bad idea...<br><br><br>6)
Skilift accident<br>Propability: very low<br><br>I guess there's not much one could do when a cable car falls. A lift or a T-bar? There would be many wounds and broken bones. It would take some time to evacuate all the casaulties, so first aid and protection from the weather would be important.<br><br><br>And now for the gear:<br><br>
signaling group<br>- cellphones - the more the better (propably everybody will wear one)<br>- skiing clothes are very bright and visible from long distance - especially on the snow - not much need for additional optical signaling<br>- whistle? I think I'll take one, though it falls into "odd" category<br><br>
emergency devices<br>- Leatherman Wave - I have this toy for just a few weeks and I love it<br>- a flashlight, spare baterries<br>- firestarting? I don't think it would be necessary, but I'll take a cigarette lighter out of a habit. We have a smoker, so we'll even have a redundancy here
<br>- money - the ultimate emergency device for civilized areas<br>- map, maybe compass<br><br>
shelter/personal protection<br>- a spare scarf - a multi-purpose bandanna for cold weather - can be used to cover a face (or any part of he body that gets too cold), secure a broken limb, etc. <br>- spare gloves - light woolen ones, when I wear heavy skiing gloves and vice versa<br>- spare eyewear - sunglasses, when I wear goggles and vice versa <br>- a polar jacket if it's warm (if it's cold, it would be already on me and there's quite unlikely that it would get much colder). <br><br><br>
water and food<br>- some water or soda<br>- some food - sandwiches, bars, chocolate, etc. <br>Both items are luxury, not emergency - there would be a lot of drinkable water around (snow)<br><br>
medical<br>I'm not sure what should I take here. Nothing? A basic first aid kit? A M.A.S.H.?<br><br>
miscellaneous<br>- notepad, pencil<br>- the stuff that we always carry in our pockets: duct tape, cordage, safety pins, Super Glue or similar glue (BTW, how does it stands the low temperature?), garbage bag, tissues. Anything special?
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