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When someone is trapped in an avalanche, every second counts. Teams of avalanche rescuers spent the week training at Snowbird so that when a slide happens, they'll be prepared.
Instructors from as far away as Switzerland came to Utah to teach the latest in avalanche rescue tactics. This instruction, however, was not just for humans.
Close to 30 trainers from around the western United States brought their dogs for the training. The week-long seminar at Snowbird taught digging techniques and placed workers with their dogs in supervised drills, so when the real thing happens, they'll know what to do.
Rescuers use dogs during an avalanche when the victim is not wearing a beacon or other locating device.
Lisa Poncelet from Crystal Mountain, Wash., said, "For him it was great. We've never done vehicles before, or doubles, working together. It's the first time we've worked together. Two dogs working together."
Dean Cardinale, president of Wasatch Backcountry Rescue Group, said, "When you're working on the ski patrol, they do a lot of training. But it's not so often that you spend an entire week just focusing on your rescue dogs."
The most important lesson learned this week was to always be on guard for avalanches. They can happen at any time.
In fact, one happened during today's training, and our camera caught it on tape. No one was trapped, so the rescue teams didn't have to put their new skills to work.
The Wasatch Backcountry Rescue Group sponsored this week's training. The group hopes the rescue teams will take the tactics they learned and share them with rescuers in their home towns.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
