New centre will save lives on the mountains
AN ALL-WEATHER, all-year-round training area for a safety device that could save lives on Scotland’s hills this winter, was unveiled at Glenmore Lodge yesterday (Tuesday).
The world’s first permanent, artificial avalanche transceiver training facility, specifically designed to help develop the skills of winter mountaineers and ski mountaineers of all abilities, was opened by Scotland’s Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison MSP.
Avalanche transceivers are small radio devices designed to find people buried under snow. When transmitting, the device emits a pulsed signal which another transceiver can receive, allowing the person holding the second transceiver to home in on the location of the casualty.
Designed by Back Country Access (BCA), world leaders in avalanche research and product development, the transceivers are distributed in the UK by Anatom, who developed the new avalanche training park in partnership with Glenmore Lodge.
Managing director Gordon Fraser said transceivers could help save lives if used properly. He said that the first 15 minutes following an avalanche were crucial.
"If a person caught in an avalanche is rescued within 15 minutes there is a 90 per cent chance they will survive. Obviously speed is vitally important and if people are using these transceivers, it makes finding them that bit easier."
Increasingly individuals are carrying transceivers which can both transmit and receive a signal on a common frequency. They have a range of between 40 and 50 metres and a simple directional indicator leading rescuers to the buried member of the party.
In this way any members of the party not caught up in the avalanche become rescuers and companion rescue forms the focus of a successful recovery. However, in order for the technology to work efficiently everyone in a climbing or skiing party has to be proficient in the transceiver’s use, and this is where the new Glenmore facility will prove valuable support.
Constructed at a cost of approximately £10,000, the 500 square metre facility at Glenmore provides potential rescuers with an artificial, highly realistic and easily accessible facility that enables would-be rescuers to simulate various avalanche transceiver search scenarios at any time of year and whatever the weather conditions.
Four avalanche transceivers, simulating victims, are buried about one metre down under a deep layer of woodchip that covers the park. Every beacon is connected underground to a central control box where one or more units can be turned on to emit a signal that is picked up by the avalanche transceivers worn by trainee rescuers.
A keen skier and hill-walker, Shona Robison, said: "Snowsports generate £30 million each year for Scotland’s economy, supporting over 600 jobs, and in 2011 – the Year of Active – we are keen to see people taking advantage of some of the fantastic terrain available in Scotland’s mountains to enjoy winter sports.
"But we can’t lose sight of the fact that lives are lost on Scotland’s mountains each year. The opening of the avalanche training park – the first of its kind anywhere in the world – is a timely reminder to those heading out into the great outdoors in winter to plan ahead, check the weather and ensure they have the correct safety equipment and knowledge.
"The training park is a fantastic achievement and offering year-round training in dealing with avalanche scenarios, builds on Glenmore Lodge’s reputation at the forefront in providing world-class training facilities."
Ian Sherrington, chief instructor at Glenmore Lodge, added: "This transceiver park provides an excellent training facility for anyone venturing into avalanche terrain. Your chance of surviving an avalanche burial is directly linked to the speed of your rescue. Therefore, training in the use of transceivers, probes and shovels in this environment will ultimately help to save lives.
"Moreover, this park will not only benefit a large number of the 750 plus winter course participants we host at Glenmore Lodge, but mountain rescue teams, ski clubs and individuals who simply wish to hone their skills."
There were 170 reported avalanches in Scotland last year of which 42 involved people, although there was only one fatality. In 2009, six people died.
