3 hole per step probing and limited depth probing

gopher · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 303

I'm curious to know if the three-probe holes per step/limited probe depth technique is being taught anywhere....

It's described in this http://www.bcaccess.com/documents/ProbingRevisitedB_Jamieson.pdf paper (Jamieson is one of the authors).

volda · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Denver, CO

I took Level 1 training from 10th Mountain Huts in 2003 and they taught the 3 hole per step technique. I don't recall the depth we used, but it couldn't have been more than 4 to 5 feet.

Mikew · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 564 Location: Valdez, AK

The Level I's and Level II that I took taught this technique. I am not sure about the depth but the three probes per step was the pattern.

Good read and timely, as I am helping teaching probe lines and avalanche recovery next week.

Thanks

Missing Link · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 276

A recent study presented at the ISSW (poster)done by Henry Ballard, Lin Ballard and Dale Atkins entitled 'Probing for Avalanche Victims' still goes with the 3 holes - in a 50cmx50cm square grid. they however recommend the probe be held vertically. An intersting study using computer models. The paper claims it would have a link on the CAIC web site - haven't checked.

ML

Ava Blanche · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:11 am Post subject:

Well, first, having participated in many, many probing exercises, I can definitely tell you that you don't ever want to become an object being probed for. Like, it is so inefficient!!

Mikew · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 564 Location: Valdez, AK

Just finished up the Avalanche Rescue Class yesterday things went well. First we talked about obvious signs of instablity.

Then we formed up the line

There are some other Ttips posters on the line

Brada on the end

Dawiz running the line also present but not pictured is Ttips poster vdzjen.

and a victim was found.

We had a very shallow snow pack so things were not really realistic. We used the three-hole method and a straight probe, not angled. The participants were told there were two victims in the slide with out beacons. The first victim was found in about 15 minutes of probing the second was found in about 25 minutes. The slide path was small.

We used a probe line with a digger stike team in the back. When a hit was made the probe was left in place, the diggers moved in handed a new probe to the prober, the diggers starting digging and the probe line kept moving.

This area is right behind our High School. You might notice the engineering measures on the outside of the building to protect the Gym. They pile snow up to form a wall to help protect the parking lot.

Local kids spend time snowboarding this slope all winter. It runs every year. So far we have had no reported burials on the slope. An entire neighborhood was moved by FEMA a few years ago because of the hazard this hillside represents. It does make a nice training ground though.

Hacksaw · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3528 Location: Golden CO

3 holes per step is all I have been teaching for the CAIC for the last 2 seasons.

Snodale · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Colorado

Hi Gang,

Our probe paper -- presented at the recent ISSW -- is now on the CAIC web site. Sorry about the delay in getting it posted. We have had some growing pains creating and adapting to our "new" web site.

Please visit:
http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/Default.aspx?tabid=301

From this page you can download a PDF version of the paper.

We will be adding additional technical papers in the next week or two.

Think Snow,
Dale Atkins