Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry

Posted on: January 5, 2024

Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry
Chris Christie

2024 has kicked off with some surprizingly cold temperatures (hello, Arctic front!) and plenty of the good stuff (aka: snow). All this fluffy pow has outdoor adventure lovers thrilled and chomping at the bit to get up into the alpine and enjoy all the fresh pow. Yes, it’s exciting. Yes, it’s enticing… but did you know that BC Search and Rescue volunteers respond to 1,900 incidents each year?

We don’t want to be a bummer or anything. We love getting outside and into Squamish's winter wonderland. BUT sometimes we need to face some facts. Of these incidents over 30% of them occur in winter and they include people such as snowmobilers, backcountry skiers, winter hikers and snowshoers. The top three causes for search and rescue are people getting injured, lost or disoriented or exceeding their abilities.

If you are planning to go into the backcountry this winter, we have some tips and planning tools from BC AdventureSmart so that you can get informed before you head out.

Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry ImageImage: Chris Christie

Always remember the Three Ts:

Trip Planning, Training, and Taking the Essentials

Applying these safety tips can help lessen the risk and ensure your outdoor adventures are safe and responsible.

TRIP PLANNING

To increase your chances of having an enjoyable and safe outdoor adventure, trip planning is essential. This will ensure you know exactly where you’re going, what the conditions and terrain are like, and the weather you can expect on the day. It will also allow authorities to quickly find you if anything does go wrong.

When you’re trip planning, always do the following:

Though it is beautiful, the B.C. backcountry is remote and can be unpredictable. Severe weather and avalanches are two of its primary hazards, so for any backcountry travel you – and everyone in your group – must be self-sufficient. If you’re travelling in avalanche terrain, ensure that you and your group also have proper avalanche training. No matter which backcountry sport you choose – skiing, snowboardingsnowshoeing or snowmobiling – always be thoroughly prepared before you head out.

Ensure that you:

  • understand and recognize weather patterns
  • can read alpine terrain
  • know the avalanche dangers
  • carry and practice with an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
  • check conditions before heading out

Ultimately, sound judgment and knowing when to turn around and save it for another day are your most important backcountry survival skills.

Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry Image

Image: Chris Christie

TRAINING

Preparing for winter outdoor recreation involves assessing your current knowledge, skills, and ability, and understanding your limits.

When planning your outdoor excursion, always do the following:

  • Obtain the knowledge and skills you need before heading out.
  • Know and stay within your limits.

For example, if you’re new to snowshoeing, begin on a more easily accessible snowshoe trail. Consider taking a guided tour to learn from the experts. Build up your endurance on short trails before attempting longer trails or more challenging terrain.

Venturing into backcountry destinations requires knowledge, skills, equipment, and preparation in case of an emergency.

Training Opportunities:

Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry ImageImage: Christ Christie

TAKING THE ESSENTIALS

No matter how well you know the terrain or how experienced you are in an activity, always carry the essentials and know how to use them. These are basic survival items you should have in any outdoor situation.

The essentials are:

  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Fire-making kit
  • Signalling device (i.e., whistle)
  • Extra food and water
  • Extra clothing
  • Navigational/communication devices
  • First aid kit
  • Emergency blanket/shelter
  • Pocket knife
  • Sun protection
  • Seasonal and sport-specific gear (i.e. avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) 

WINTER SPECIFIC SAFETY

From ice thickness, hypothermia and cold water immersion to tree wells and cornices, season-specific safety is critical in reaching your destination. Your destination is HOME. Learn more about winter specific safety.

Tips for Safety and Survival in the Backcountry ImageImage: Chris Christie

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY 

S - T - O - P — Stop Think Observe Plan Then ACT!

The acronym STOP (stop, think, observe, plan, then act) highlights the importance of a survival attitude that involves carefully planned actions rather than irrational behaviour based on fear.

Stay where you are: It's important to recognize that your body only has so much stored energy and that it is essential to spend that energy efficiently.

People who carry on after they become lost usually get further from the trail and from people who are looking for them. Going downhill often leads to natural drainage gullies, which typically have very thick bush, expansive cliffs and waterfalls, making travel and searching more difficult. Staying put reduces the potential search area for SAR, because you will have left a trip plan with a friend, and they will know where to start looking.

If you need help in the mountains and have cell reception, your FIRST ACTION should be to call 911 to let authorities know you’re in need of rescue.  The 911 operator will dispatch the local police, or RCMP, and police will place the request for the local SAR group.

When your phone makes an emergency 911 call, it will connect with any cell tower in range, even if it is not from your network provider. (Therefore, a 911 call may go through even if you are not otherwise able to get cell reception where you are.)

If you are familiar with your smart phone’s capabilities, you may know how to obtain its GPS reading. (On iPhones, for example, the GPS coordinates are displayed in compass app if location services are turned on.)

We hope this helps guide you through a safe and fun winter season playing in our great outdoors!

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