In Response to Avalanche Fatalities in the United States by Jekich et al

Birkeland, Karl W.; Greene, Ethan; Logan, Spencer

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2017.06.009

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In Norway, as in several other countries (e.g., Birkeland et al 2017;Techel et al 2018), there is a tendency for most of the recent fatal accidents to occur in connection with outdoor activities. In response to this change in avalanche fatalities, there has been a greater emphasis on increased public education and avalanche forecasting, including in Norway (Engeset 2013;Engeset et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing nationwide avalanche terrain maps for Norway

et al. 2020

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Snow avalanches are a significant natural hazard in Norway. One method to manage the backcountry avalanche hazard is through detailed mapping of avalanche terrain. Avalanche terrain can be mapped using a variety of methods, including using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES); however, manual classification of terrain using ATES is time consuming. This study has developed and compared a fully automated algorithm to provide ATES mapping for all of Norway. Our new algorithm is based on the technical model for ATES mapping. This model has specific terrain-based thresholds that can be applied for automated terrain-based modeling. Our algorithm expands on prior work by including the potential release area (PRA) model to identify and calculate the likelihood of an avalanche releasing from a start zone. We also use the raster-based TauDEM-model to determine the avalanche runout length. The final product is a 10-m resolution ATES map. We compared this nationwide ATES map with areas that have been manually mapped by avalanche experts, and find that the automated approach yields similar and reliable results. In addition to comparing mapped areas, we also examine manually mapped linear routes and compare these with the automated mapped ATES areas. Our results suggest that for open terrain, the vast majority of the manually classified tracks are predominantly in the same ATES class as our algorithm. For forested areas, we get mixed results, which can be attributed to a lack of suitable vegetation data at an appropriate scale. Despite this limitation, the current ATES algorithm and resulting spatial data are already valuable as a large portion (~ 70%) of the Norwegian backcountry terrain is above tree line. The automated algorithm is also useful to ensure consistent manual classification across different regions in Norway, or globally, and will permit greater reproducibility and easier updating of mapping for the future.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing nationwide avalanche terrain maps for Norway

et al. 2020

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“…Backcountry skiing, known as off-piste in Europe, is a rapidly growing leisure activity [ 1 , 2 ]. People who engage in backcountry skiing either ride in potential avalanche terrain that is in near proximity to ski areas but not controlled by the ski patrol [ 3 , 4 ], or in remote mountainous areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Powder Fever and Its Impact on Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain

Mannberg

Hendrikx

Johnson

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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We examined the effect of emotions, associated with “powder fever”, on decision-making in avalanche terrain. Background: Skiing in avalanche terrain is a voluntary activity that exposes the participant to potentially fatal risk. Impaired decision-making in this context can therefore have devastating results, often with limited prior corrective feedback and learning opportunities. Previous research has suggested that arousal caused by emotions affects risk assessment and intentions to engage in risky behavior. We propose that powder fever may induce similar responses. Methods: We used the following two experimental methods: laboratory studies with visual visceral stimuli (ski movies) and a field study with real stimuli (skiing exciting terrain). We evaluated the effect of emotions on attention, risk assessment, and willingness to expose oneself and others to risk. Results: Both the laboratory studies and the field study showed that skiing-related stimuli had a relatively strong effect on reported emotions. However, we found very few significant effects on decision-making or assessment of risk. Conclusions: Skiing activities make people happier. However, despite the clear parallels to sexual arousal, powder fever does not appear to significantly impair decision-making in our study. More research on the effects of powder fewer on milder forms of risk-taking behavior is needed.

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“…Most of these are "accidents of choice" where victims willingly place themselves at risk during recreational or professional activities such as backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, mountaineering, or professional avalanche mitigation (Greene et al, 2006). 1 The actual accident rate is likely to be decreasing over recent decades (e.g., Birkeland et al, 2017;Jekich et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking the heuristic traps paradigm in avalanche education: Past, present and future

Johnson

Mannberg

Hendrikx

et al. 2020

Cogent Social Sciences

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This paper will review the emergence and adoption of decision heuristics as a conceptual framework within the avalanche research and education community and demonstrate how this emphasis on the heuristic decision framework has anchored and was critical in redefining the discussion around avalanche accidents. This paradigm has been a critical and meaningful step in recognizing the importance of decision making in avalanche accidents. However, in an attempt to reduce the incidence of fatal accidents, the adoption of these ideas within the wider avalanche community has overlooked some clearly stated limitations within the foundational work of the heuristic decision frame. With respect to the concept of heuristic traps in conventional avalanche education, the concepts are poorly operationalized to the extent that they are vague about what exactly they describe. The result is that as presently framed, they are of negligible value to avalanche education that seeks its basis on the best available information. We end with a discussion, and a call to action to the avalanche research community, of how we could move towards resolution of these weaknesses and add value to prior work on human factor research. Our aim is not to disparage the seminal, paradigm shifting work by McCammon, but rather draw attention to how it has been operationalized and how the industry needs to move beyond this paradigm to see further gains in our understanding of avalanche fatalities.

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In Response to Avalanche Fatalities in the United States by Jekich et al

Cited by 26 publications

References 3 publications

Developing nationwide avalanche terrain maps for Norway

Developing nationwide avalanche terrain maps for Norway

Powder Fever and Its Impact on Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain

Rethinking the heuristic traps paradigm in avalanche education: Past, present and future

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