BCA adds probing and shoveling to innovative education program
BOULDER, CO (July 26, 2006)
- Snow safety equipment manufacturer Backcountry Access (BCA) has
added probing and shoveling awareness to its growing education program--and
is supporting it with a new lineup of shovels, probes and snow study
tools for professionals.
"Probe and shovel technique are the last frontier in the campaign
to decrease companion rescue times," said Bruce Edgerly, Vice
President of Backcountry Access, manufacturer of the Tracker DTS
transceiver. "We're seeing rank novices find victims in less than
two minutes. Then it takes ten minutes or more to probe and excavate
the victim. With proper education we think we can cut that time
in half, create a better workspace for the rescuer, and ultimately
help save more lives."
To accomplish that, company
staff spent an entire week last winter digging holes and researching
the best methods for excavating avalanche victims from debris. This
research will culminate in a paper at the 2007 International Snow
Science Workshop (ISSW) in Telluride and a series of point-of-purchase
displays at retail shops worldwide, illustrating proper beacon,
shovel, and probe technique. In addition, all BCA products in 2006-07
will come with a hangtag containing a tear-out Companion Rescue
Guide describing these techniques in English, German, and French.
The company's expanded
education program will be supported with an expanded line of snow
safety products. This includes an updated Companion Shovel redesigned
for professionals, a new line of fast-assembling Quickie probes,
and an affordable snow study kit, field book, and snow saw. BCA's
updated Companion Shovel is the best example of the company's
focus on education. On the front of the shovel blade, BCA has printed
three illustrations from its Companion Rescue Guide. These can be
used as an educational tool by professionals teaching on-snow courses
and as a field reference for recreationists. The blade itself has
been enlarged, now measuring 25 x 30 centimeters. These new dimensions
make it ideal for performing shovel shear and compression tests.
The back of the blade is completely flat, enabling the professional
to produce much cleaner walls and columns when working in snowpits.
BCA designed the Companion Shovel blade after copious input from
avalanche professionals, most notably the research team from the
University of Calgary's Center for Applied Snow and Avalanche Research
(ASARC). The shovel will continue to feature BCA's innovative oval
shaft and accommodates BCA's optional Companion Probe. BCA's new
Quickie line of probes include depth markings and are available
in sizes ranging from 203 to 300 cm. The company's snow study kit
was developed with guidance from members the American Avalanche
Association (AAA), Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), ASARC,
and AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education).
For more information on BCA's education program, see www.bcaccess.com/education.
For pro pricing information, call (800)670-8735.
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