Education TARGETING TEENS: A one hour avalanche awareness program

Peter Spear, Gordon Ritchie, Kevin Biggs and Debbie Ritchie Canadian Ski Patrol System, , Alberta

Abstract: The Canadian winter of 1997-98 exacted a toll of21 backcountry avalanche related deaths. Six teenagers, comprised ofthree skiers, one snowboarder and two snowmobilers, were killed. This was an alanning number ofyouth killed in avalanches in .

One-hour talks, using the lesson plan format, were developed to increase knowledge and awareness in youth ofthe risks associated with skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling in uncontrolled avalanche terrain. Grade 10 students in physical education classes in city and rural high schools are the target group.

Students are introduced to three key SMARTRISK concepts; "Get trained", "Wear the gear", and "Look first". Ski area signage is shown, and avalanche rescue equipment is demonstrated. The Canadian Ski Patrol System (CSPS) "Avalanche: Be Aware" pamphlet is given to each participant for reference. Students are advised to take a Recreational Avalanche Course (RAe) from ~ qualified provider.

Since 1997, it is estimated that over 10,000 high school students have attended one-hour avalanche awareness talks. There has been an increase in the number ofteenagers attending RACs in Canada. Delivery ofthe program has expanded within Canada and to the United States. Teenagers who have attended the program report modifying their behaviour in relation to travel in avalanche terrain, but currently this has not been quantified.

A one-hour avalanche awareness talk targeted for teenagers and suitable for delivery in high schools is a first step in increasing avalanche risk awareness in youth.

Key Words: education, youth, avalanche

1. Background

A total of 21 avalanche deaths were recorded in Despite the availability ofpublic avalanche Canada during the winter of 1997-1998. Six ofthe education programs through the Canadian Ski Patrol deaths were teenagers, the highest number ofteens System (CSPS) and Canadian Avalanche Association killed in one season to date. A party offour teens, (CAA), none ofthese programs focused specifically three skiers and one snowboarder, were killed outside on teenagers. The tragic deaths ofthe winter of 1997 the Fortress Mountain, Alberta, ski area boundary, - 1998 provided a catalyst for the development of before the area was open to the public. Two teen one hour, school based, avalanche awareness talks for snowmobilers were killed in separate incidents in Calgary schools. A one-hour avalanche awareness , while attempting to "high-mark" a program was shared with the CAA, its membership slope. Strikingly, none ofthese teens had any formal and other avalanche educators. High school based avalanche education nor had avalanche rescue gear. talks have been initiated in a wide number of communities in Western Canada based on this and It is evident that teens are involved in winter other programs. sports, particularly snowboarding, at an increasing rate. The common media image ofmany winter 2. Method sports is one ofuntracked powder in mountainous terrain, while the underlying risks are seldom A one-hour avalanche awareness talk was portrayed. developed by CSPS members that could be delivered, in high schools, by volunteers with a basic knowledge ofavalanches. Grade 10 (students aged 15 * Corresponding author address: Peter Spear, 524 - 16) Physical Education was identified as the Strathcona Dr. SW, Calgary, AB, T3H 1L9; tel: 403­ primary focus for the delivery ofthe program. The 249-0055; fax: 403-249-0055; email: age group was selected as many Grade 10 students [email protected] are ofdriving age, driving themselves and friends to

273 International Snow Science Workshop (2002: Penticton, B.C.) the mountains to participate in winter sports. Sports demonstrate the use ofavalanche rescue equipment are the main focus ofPhysical Education, and in and provide information on Recreational Avalanche Alberta, Grade 10 Physical Education is compulsory Courses (RAC), whose standards have been for all students, thereby ensuring broad-based established by the CAA. The CTV video "Life and attendance. While presenting the program at the Death" (7 minutes), a re-creation ofthe fatal 1999 Grade 10 level year after year ensures complete avalanche at Abbot Pass, on the Alberta - British attendance ofstudents in a school, the program was Columbia border, concludes the program. The one also made available to students in Grades II and 12 hour lesson plan is outlined in Table I. upon request. Table I The Calgary Board ofEducation and the Calgary Targeting Teens: a one-hour format Catholic School Board were contacted and gave pennission for the program to be delivered in local • Introduction ofthe presenter. high schools. A pilot program was run at one high • Outline ofthe objectives ofthe program. school to test its suitability. Letters ofintroduction • Pre-test ofstudents' understanding ofavalanches were sent to all Calgary area high school principals and human consequences. and Physical Education coordinators. Information in • Video: "Use it or Lose it". the letter outlined the program, the general • Introduction of SMARTRISK messages qualification ofthe presenters, student group size pertaining to travel in avalanche terrain. (maximum 100), equipment required, and booking • Distribution ofthe CSPS pamphlet "Avalanche: arrangements. Interested schools were required to Be Aware". book speakers at least two weeks in advance. A • Briefexplanation ofthe avalanche triangle. volunteer coordinator arranged for speakers wh.o were CSPS avalanche instructors as well as other • Display & discussion ofski area signage: interested volunteers with an avalanche background. avalanche closures and area boundary signs. • Demonstration ofavalanche rescue gear with Local outdoor equipment stores and manufacturers student participation. ofavalanche rescue equipment loaned the avalanche • Information sources: websites and RAC courses. equipment (beacon, probe, shovel and pack) used in • Video: "Life and Death" the program. • Wrap-up and post link.

3. Program 4. Results

The program is based on the standard time ofone 4.1 Students reached via coordinated efforts hour for a high school course and incorporates visual, oral and tactile learning styles. A formal lesson plan When the program was presented in 1998 at the provides Objectives, the Pre-TestlMotivation, annual CAA meeting, it was apparent that similar Content and a Post Link. Helpful hints on preparation initiatives were taking place in many communities in and teaching style are also provided. Western Canada including, but not limited to, Fernie, Canmore, Nelson, and Whistler. Considerable Presenters are encouraged to use a risk enthusiasm for the program was generated management approach. Positive messages for youth, encouraging members, and others, to start new developed by SMARTRISK, are designed to reduce initiatives in additional communities. The one hour injury resulting from active lifestyles. These lesson plan has been available for distribution messages: "Get trained", "Wear the gear", and through the Canadian Avalanche Centre in "Look first", are incorporated into the lesson plan. Revelstoke to CAA members and other interested volunteers. A video presentation acts as a motivator and provides the basis for discussion. Initially, the CAA Targeting Teens has drawn together a wide range video "Beating the Odds' (23 minutes) was used. In ofvolunteers with an avalanche background. These the winter of2001-2002, the video "Use it or Lose it" include current and former professional patrollers, (14 minutes), produced by the SNOWSMART firemen, park rangers, retail outdoor outlet employees program, was adopted. Following the video, and avalanche survivors, all united by a common presenters introduce the concept ofthe avalanche interest in avalanche education for youth. Many triangle, review the meaning ofski area avalanche avalanche professionals also volunteer their time in signs, discuss risk management strategies,

274 Education their communities to deliver avalanche awareness The Targeting Teens program is one ofseveral programs. important catalysts that led to the creation ofthe SNOWSMART partnership. A volunteer As a result ofthese coordinated efforts, thousands organization (CSPS), a professional organization ofCanadian teens have benefited from avalanche (CAA), a private foundation (SMARTRISK) and a awareness talks. In Calgary, approximately 8,000 federal government department (Parks Canada) all students have attended these talks over a four-year partnered to develop SNOWSMART, a national period. The program was offered for one year in the injury prevention initiative focused on youth Greater Vancouver area, reaching over 3,000 involved in the winter in mountainous terrain. students. Thousands ofother students in smaller SNOWSMART was funded by the New Initiatives communities across British Columbia, Alberta and Fund (NIF) ofthe National the Yukon have similarly benefited. Teenagers who Secretariat ofthe Canadian Federal Government. have attended the program report modifying their behaviour in relation to travel in avalanche terrain, 5. Conclusion but currently this has not been quantified. An unfortunate incident propelled volunteers and The program has been translated into French by avalanche professionals to pool their ideas, talents members ofthe CSPS and the Centre d'Avalanche de and funds to create a unique program in avalanche la Haute Gaspesie for use in the Chic Choc Mountain awareness for young people. This program is suitable region ofthe Gaspe in . In addition, the for delivery in high schools and is an important first program has been distributed to individuals in the step in injury prevention in youth who venture into US, notably in Washington State. uncontrolled avalanche terrain.

4. 2 Public Awareness The success ofthe program is a call to action for all members ofthe avalanche community to initiate Increased awareness ofthe program by school avalanche talks that are focused on youth. The lesson board members, students, teachers and parents has plan is available free ofcharge from the generated media interest. In radio and TV interviews, corresponding author and CSPS avalanche and print articles, avalanche professionals and instructors. It may also be obtained from the volunteers discuss injury prevention in youth creating Canadian Avalanche Centre in Revelstoke, British awareness ofthe availability ofavalanche education Columbia. programs aimed at youth.

4.3 Recreational Avalanche Courses for Youth

An increased demand for more formal avalanche education has resulted from the one hour talks. As a result, a small but increasing number ofhigh schools is sponsoring Recreational Avalanche Courses for students. For each ofthe last three years, a Calgary high school has sponsored a RAC course for over 40 students. Instructors have commented on the students' enthusiasm and ofthe rapport developed with patrollers and instructors during subsequent encounters at local ski areas. In addition, several RAC providers have tailored RAC for teens.

4. 4 Related Initiatives

The development oftwo avalanche - based curriculums for Grade 6 and Grade 10 Physical Education was funded by the CSPS. These curricula, suitable for delivery by teachers, were approved by the Alberta Government for use in Alberta schools.

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