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Out-of-Bounds Avalanche Survey - Prizes Available!

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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Several recent avalanche incidents and deaths in Canada and the United States have focused the media spotlight on out-of-bounds skiing. The Canadian Avalanche Centre (http://www.avalanche.ca/ ), in conjunction with Simon Fraser University, is currently conducting a study about avalanche related decision making by out-of-bounds skiers and boarders. Findings from the study will be used to develop tools for communicating avalanche risk and assisting out-of-bounds decisions making. We are now looking for participants for an online survey which includes questions about experience and background, typical skiing/riding partners, perceptions of avalanches and ski patrol and an interactive 'pick a run' exercise.

All participants who complete the survey will be entered in a prize draw for:
One Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Avalanche Transceiver
Two Black Diamond Bandit AvaLung backpacks
Two Black Diamond Transfer 3 Shovel and Probe sets.

At the conclusion of the study interested participants will be emailed a personal analysis sheet that includes a comparison of your avalanche hazard consideration to other study participants.

The survey can be found at: http://www.outbounds.rem.sfu.ca

Your participation in the online survey would be much appreciated. Please pass the link on to any of your acquaintances who might be suitable for this study.

----------------------------

A second survey, again through the Canadian Avalanche Center, looks at proposed revisions to the North American Avalanche Danger Scale in hopes of making it easier to read. The second survey is found here: http://surveys.globalepanel.com/wix/p319164581.aspx


Thanks Everyone for taking the time and helping researchers look for new and easier ways to help keep backcountry users safe!
Mar 16 2009 7:07PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Reposted to add link to the second survey
Mar 16 2009 7:22PM
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crazy_karl
Posts: 774 - Karma: 5,046

HOT DAMN! thats a long fucking survey!!

Mar 17 2009 1:37AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436

I just did it - yes it was long but it was quite interesting to do.

Mar 17 2009 9:42AM
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sconniestyle
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 26

thanks for the link to that

it was long though.

Mar 17 2009 11:04AM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
It says right up front that it takes about 15min, are people that ADD they can't sit for a few minutes?? Yes its long and has some content intended to make you think, but in the end its for a good purpose. Thanks to all who are taking the time to do it.

Also remember there are 2 different survey links, so if you are trying to avoid homework then take the time to do both
Mar 17 2009 11:14AM
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sconniestyle
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 26

it wasn't really that long at all, i just want to win the beacon, so i deployed internet trickery.

Mar 17 2009 12:04PM
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jmason
Posts: 1595 - Karma: 136
Done. Made me think!
Mar 17 2009 2:35PM
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Obsessedwski
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 71
good survey, my threads for later
Mar 17 2009 6:51PM
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East.
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 128
done!
Mar 17 2009 7:06PM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
damit, got 75% through then it stuffed up. I can't redo it either. oh well
Mar 17 2009 7:32PM
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skibikeclambake
Posts: 2346 - Karma: 27
aka cheated
Mar 17 2009 8:49PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
see thats not really the point.  you should have just entered a "win a free avy beacon contest".

this is a survey to help restructure the avalanche danger scale in an attempt to reduce future accidents.

 
Mar 17 2009 8:52PM
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NESblowjob
Posts: 1174 - Karma: 41
i stopped cause it didnt provide twintip skis as an option
Mar 17 2009 11:48PM
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sconniestyle
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 26

what do you mean that isn't the point?

i answered every question thoughtfully, even the "essay" questions at the end.

and i told everyone i ski with to go fill it out.

i doubt that me saying it was a long survey will dissuade anyone on ns from taking it that would have otherwise.

and if someone isn't interested in the subject or have no experience to relate to, it would be a long survey to complete.

can't i want to win a beacon without compromising the integrity of the survey?

if they didn't want people to get excited about the prizes, why offer any?

Mar 18 2009 10:23AM
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Detective
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 59

Done...

Would love to somehow find out the stats on all of the people on NS's backcountry experience and ability...and also how many would never do something like this because they've never been in the back country.

Considering how many kids ski in tall tee layers and hoodies these days...I'm going to say 90+% of NS does not ski back country.

Mar 18 2009 12:00PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
i did not see earlier that you answered each questioned thoughtfully, and thought you had just BSed each one thru "internet trickery".

mea culpa.
Mar 18 2009 5:45PM
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steezeandskis
Posts: 646 - Karma: 21
Done, good survey.  I need to take a class
Mar 18 2009 6:52PM
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sconniestyle
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 26

no worries v.

i felt the same way about taking a class, but that has been something i have wanted to do for a while, i was just unable to this season.

i think that it is great the survey inspires those who take it to learn more about safety out of bounds, even if it means reading up on it by yourself in lieu of a class.

despite the statistical results, i think it is a success because of that alone.

Mar 19 2009 10:06AM
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Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645
I'd like to see the results of the study posted.

√ Entered.
Mar 19 2009 4:24PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,274
i enjoyed taking that, it made me realize that i'm actually pretty safe skiing out of bounds or in the bc but i still want to take a few avy courses
Mar 19 2009 9:59PM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
Same, I don't ski out of bounds that much, but it was good practice
Mar 20 2009 4:22PM
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sklermang
Posts: 2981 - Karma: 1,954
and probably 90% of those kids don't have access to any decent back country
Mar 20 2009 5:36PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5990 - Karma: 3,620
the avalanche danger scale has all but been completely revised and from my understanding will be unveiled next year
Mar 21 2009 2:20PM
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turbo_penguin
Posts: 282 - Karma: 15
That seemed to be quite a quality survey. I hope the results are shared with everyone that can benefit (other organizations) and the general public.

My general avy safety question is:

Is anyone working real hard to make a very (very) affordable beacon? I know that for me, the cost has always been prohibitive, and always something I put off to next season when I save up some more. It seems like someone could come out with a really cheap basic one as most electronics steadily drop in price, but maybe the technology is still expensive? Anyone know?
Mar 21 2009 5:42PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
i think that the bca tracker is assumed as the most basic, cheapest, easy to use beacon. leading to its widespread use.
Mar 21 2009 6:50PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
that was the point of the second survey. information gathering to help figure out how to make the avy danger scale easier to understand for more people.

i understood that it was still undergoing revisions, as my boss had come back from a snow science seminar last week and gave us a summary lecture a couple days ago. NWAC had a link to the survey on the bottom of all their avalanche forecasts this year.
Mar 21 2009 6:53PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
and for those who are reading on this subject, i have new bias placing the black diamond deploy shovels at the top of the list for digging. in our burial practices taking off my pack, taking out the shovel, taking out the blade, connecting the two....is just too much of a waste of time when someones life is at stake. i feel like i need a faster system, and those just might be it.
Mar 21 2009 7:01PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
The Pieps Freeride is the cheapest available beacon, though its performance as an effective search tool is debatable.
Mar 21 2009 8:22PM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
i guess i failed to know about that one. your partners' beacons are what you need to be concerned with. and how long you can hold your breath.
Mar 21 2009 8:41PM
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Scott~
Posts: 2551 - Karma: 49
Thats why I like being out there with you, I know all those years of deepthroating has blessed you with big lungs~
Mar 21 2009 10:25PM
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Scott~
Posts: 2551 - Karma: 49
Also dont expect to win any prizes, I already haxxored the system. True story~
Mar 21 2009 10:26PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5990 - Karma: 3,620
whats the deal with the pieps freeride that makes it not so good?

A little more tranceiver talk. The Pulse won't pick up the ortovox M1. Kind of scary. Another reason to always double check your beacons at the beginning of each tour.

I'm not so sure what the concern is with the cost of tranceivers. They aren't that much and they will save you life. Most stores seem to have deals for beacon shovel and probe for $300. Thats not much at all considering the cost of all backcountry gear
Mar 22 2009 1:29AM
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coolhandluke
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 153
really?  could you send me info on this?  i have the barryvox opto 3000 and was going to get the barryvox pulse when mine dies.
Mar 22 2009 1:00PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145
Freeride is single antenna. If you've used it for long enough to know what you're doing it's fine, but obviously it can't deal with spikes or give you clear direction like a multi antenna. I think people starting out should just go with a beacon that can give them an arrow, it's too easy to get nervous and screw up in the heat of the moment and the clearer information you can get when the time comes, the faster your search is likely to be.

Price varies, but I mean the orto S1 which looks to be the best beacon out right now is like 5-600 dollars. I agree with the tracker being the best value, but its stated range is somewhat lacking.

I didn't know that about the M1... it's an old beacon but I imagine there are still more than a few people using it.
Mar 22 2009 9:56PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,274
it's the cheapest but the mammut barryvox is way more user friendly and easy to use
Mar 23 2009 9:31PM
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
my threads to remind me later
Mar 23 2009 11:07PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5990 - Karma: 3,620
I will try and find you some info on paper for that. During my CAA level 1 the instructors were telling us this and many other people had noticed it before. Many digital beacons can have some troubles with different types of beacons because they are not all exactly on the 457 mHz (they can be off by 10ths).
Mar 23 2009 11:09PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5990 - Karma: 3,620
Single antenna and analog isnt a problem at all. Easy to find with a little practice. I have the M2 and love it. No fucking around and no computer telling you what to do. Even if you have a digital you should figure out how to use it in analog mode.

The S1 is fairly complex and you need to spend the time to learn it. Many of the guides at our lodge have been fucked around by it and just have to switch it to straight analog because it gets confused.
Mar 23 2009 11:12PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7860 - Karma: 22,350
second survey is no longer available
Mar 24 2009 7:48PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Thanks everyone for participating. Once the results come out we'll be letting people know some of the results
Mar 25 2009 9:16AM
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skibikeclambake
Posts: 2346 - Karma: 27
when did you get a red name?
Mar 25 2009 5:50PM
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