The reports have just come in of five skiers dying in an avalanche in Austria. This is just the latest news on this front from what looks like another bad season. The incident took place in the Wattental valley, Tirol, and reports indicate that those involved had ignored warnings. The Guardian paper reported that: The experienced […]
When a mylar emergency blanket could save your life (and when it won’t)
There are few bits of gear that are as cheap, light and easy to throw into your backpack or fanny-pack as a mylar emergency blanket, yet that can do as much to keep you safe in an emergency. This is one item that you should never leave at home. This may sound a bit extreme, and […]
The avalanche video you should not be allowed to see
I’ve been a regular writer about the dangers of avalanches and the need for people to take care. I’ve also regularly updated readers on safety equipment such as the avalung, Avalanche Airbag or the Snowpulse system that are designed to improve your chances of surviving an avalanche. But I still think, and keep saying, that […]
Do Ski Helmets Work?
Following on from all of the news about the tragic accident that Michael Schumacher suffered when on a ski trip (in which he hit his head on a rock) there has been some good reporting by the New York Times on how much protection ski helmets offer. The piece in the times makes for sobering […]
Avalanche death despite airbag
I’ve been following the development of the Avalanche Airbag for quite a few years on this blog and am particularly keen to understand how effective they are. Despite a good number of lives saved, quite a few fatal accidents still happen. The latest tragedy was in Austria where according to news reports a British teenager […]