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Jed Boal ReportingRescue crews from Brighton Ski Resort and Life Flight got out in the fresh snow today to practice life-saving skills. Their readiness appears more critical every year.
Skiers and snowmobilers who head into Utah's backcountry know the value of beacons, or peeps. But they are worthless without training.
Pam Moore, Life Flight: "It really is easy. You just have to be methodical about your search."
Fifty crew members from Life Flight practiced hide-and-seek with the beacons with Brighton Ski Patrol.
Lorie Hutchison, Life Flight: "If we're up assisting with a rescue, and a secondary avalanche falls and traps rescuers, we're getting training so we can turn on our beacons and assist in the search."
Last year, eight people died in avalanches in Utah, a record for the state. This year we have not had any fatal slides, but the conditions can change quickly.
James McCalvy, Brighton Ski Patrol: "You never know when you're going to be out there and it's going to hit. It could be a bluebird day, but next thing you know, you could be fighting for your life out there."
Finding the slide victim quickly is the key. One in three avalanche victims dies of trauma. Of those not killed from the tumble, 70-percent are found alive within 15 minutes. Only 25-percent are found alive within 30 minutes and after two hours only 15% of the victims are found alive.
Pam Moore, Life Flight: "We never know where we're going to find ourselves any day. We could be in the mountains, we could be anywhere. It's important for us to be able to take care of ourselves and take care of our crew members."
