Photo: Contributed - David Cooper

Tracks in deep snow.

Avalanche season is reaching its peak in British Columbia and the BC Coroners Service is encouraging all those going out into the backcountry to take special care to ensure their safety.

The BC Coroners Service, with the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) and Emergency Management BC (EMBC), has found that over the past several winters, avalanche awareness has been improving.

A higher proportion of backcountry users are carrying essential avalanche safety equipment-transceivers, shovels and probes. Avalanche airbag packs are highly effective when worn/deployed properly (including the leg-strap).

However, many still have not taken enough training to use that equipment with maximum effectiveness. A person buried in an avalanche can suffocate in minutes - long before help can arrive - so the ability to perform quick and effective self-rescue is vital.

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