Jim Frankenfield

Avalanche Safety Courses and Services

1338 Foothill Dr. #170; Salt Lake City, UT 84108
1-877-604-0166; 1-209-315-9220 (Fax); snowman@csac.org

Snowmans Avalanche FAQ

1. Avalanche Safety Questions
   1. I'm interested in finding information regarding snowmobiling and avalanches; specifically preventing avalanche accidents. I am aware of the general precautions that backcountry skiers take when skiing in avalanche terrain but am unfamiliar with precautions that snowmobilers should take.

   2. Does anyone have a pointer to a good source of survival statistics for avalanche victims? Burial time vs. survival rate?

2. Technical Questions
   1. Two questions that have been troubling me: If I measure density of new snow, and it weighs in at 110 kg./m3. Does that mean it is 11% h2o? And what is the difference between liquid water content and density?

   2. Is it true that just before an avalanche there is a shock wave? We were having this conversation yesterday, and someone remarked that in most cases this shock wave is the cause of all avalanche related accidents.

   3. How are avalanches classified?

3. Archive of Dated / Obsolete Questions
   1. In recent discussions on several internet bulletin boards I have found that a certain amount of confusion exists concerning beacon frequencies and search methods. The frequency standard in this country is changing. [Note: It has changed since this was first written.]

   2. I know they are not fool-proof, but does anyone have any statistics on the reliability of avalanche cords or have any personal experience with them?