Australian skiers and snowboarders love traveling the globe on ski holidays. But many of us are unaware of one of the big killers – falling into a tree well. To help educate us on the risks of tree wells, and how to rescue your ski partner, check out the Whitewater Ski Resort – Tree Well Safety Video.
Tree Well Safety
In preparation for the deeper pow days ahead, Whitewater Ski Patrol has put together this video to raise awareness for tree well hazards on resort.
Evergreen trees in particular (fir, hemlock, etc.) can have large, deep tree wells that form when snow doesn’t get packed down around a tree base. These wells can contain a mix of low-hanging branches, loose snow, and air, so it’s easy for these voids to be hidden from view.
If your partner gets stuck in a tree well, here are some tips to help get them out:
Don’t leave to get help – stay with your partner.Keep ski or board attached; this will stop them from going in deeper.Call for additional resources. Use a whistle or yell for assistance; ask someone to call for Ski Patrol.Evaluate scene safety for yourself.IMMEDIATELY begin snow immersion rescue efforts.Keep your partner’s airway clear. Be careful not to knock more snow into the tree well.Determine where their head is and tunnel in from the side or below. Do not try to pull your partner out the way they fell in.Continue expanding the tunnel to the airway until you can safely extricate your partner.Here’s to another season of safe skiing & riding!
