Live Recovery with Tracker in Fernie, BC

Fernie, BC (January 8, 2008) — A 22–year–old snowboarder was rescued alive after a deep avalanche burial yesterday, using a Tracker DTS avalanche beacon and a well-executed shoveling technique. Todd Weselake of Fernie, British Columbia was rescued by Ian Bezubiak and Janina Kuzma in Cold Feet Bowl on Mt. Proctor outside Fernie.

Weselake was buried approximately two meters (6.6 feet) deep and was unconscious when he was located. Kuzma located him within several minutes using her Tracker DTS. She and Bezubiak then used the “strategic shoveling” technique for excavating Weselake. Both attributed the successful rescue to the fast beacon search and efficient shoveling strategy, which they learned from Duncan Maisels one month before at a Mountain Pursuits avalanche course (CAC Level 1 AST) in Fernie.

Surviving burials of two meters or more is quite rare. The pressures at these snow depths make it difficult to create an air pocket and also can prevent the victim from being able to expand their chest. By starting their excavation downhill of the probe strike, then working in to the probe, Kuzma and Bezubiak made better time and prevented compromising the air pocket Weselake had. Once the hole became deep, Kuzma moved behind Bezubiak and helped to clear snow from the hole. The result was a rapid excavation and a workable area once Weselake was extricated. He regained consciousness shortly after his head and chest were freed.

For more information on this rescue, see “Shoveling Education at Work: A Case Study: Success Story on Mt. Proctor, BC” at www.backcountryaccess.com/research.