Avalanche First Aid

I’ve practiced and taught avalanche rescue hundreds of times. I’ve taken 15+ Wilderness First Responder courses. But I’m not a rescue professional. I’ve never done a real avalanche rescue. My experience doesn’t extend much beyond fixing bad blisters. If things go sour, I’ll need help. Checklists and flowcharts help when things get complicated like in a rescue.

The 2024 issue of Accidents in North American Climbing had a nice article on avalanche first aid by Buchanan and Hartridge (aftertheavalanche.org). Their avalanche first aid flowchart still didn’t resonate with me, so I modified it. I carry a printed copy in my first aid kit.

This is how I think about first aid in the mountains.

1. Keep your first aid certs up to date. Either a Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid course.

2. Carry emergency gear including shelter, extra puffy layers, first aid kit, fire starter, satellite communication, and the knowledge to use it.

3. Carry wide medical tape for blisters, bleeds, splints, etc.

4. Do everything to avoid accidents.