I’ve been thinking a lot about ignorance lately, mine and other peoples’, as it relates to avalanche awareness and safety.
I even looked up the word in the dictionary, here’s a def I found on Wikipedia:
“Ignorance is a state of being uninformed (lack of knowledge). The word "ignorant" is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used as an insult.
Ignorance should be distinguished from stupidity, although both can lead to "unwise" acts. Also, if important information is available, one may fail to acquire it due to lack of intelligence (not realizing its importance, or not understanding it).”
So, with that in mind, and after reading the great threads you all have posted in this forum, I’d like to propose a “Levels of Ignorance” system for avalanche awareness and safety. This chart will identify where a person is on the levels chart and suggest how to deal with their ignorance.
Please consider this a work in progress. You may add, delete or modify it in any way you think would help to refine it.
I’m hoping that eventually a “Levels of Ignorance” chart can be developed that will go into power points in avalanche training and on the back of avalanche conditions cards. For example, levels of avalanche conditions on one side of the card, levels of ignorance on the other. Then, when someone takes out the card, they not only evaluate the avalanche conditions, they can evaluate where they are or where the folks they are riding with are in terms of avalanche safety and awareness and take appropriate action.
I’ll be sending this draft and a link to the thread on the Snowest Forum to the avalanche educators in the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec. You can feel free to send it to avalanche educators you know.
I am not copyrighting this document. It should remain free for all to use. Anyone who does copyright it and uses it for their own profit is a low down scoundrel, miscreant and ignoramus! May they blow a belt deep in the backcountry without a spare while riding alone in wolf country!
Levels of Avalanche Safety Awareness and How to Address Them
Level 1: a person at Level 1 may be a new snowmobiler or someone who has never ridden in avalanche country. They’ve heard little or no information on the topic. Deal with them in a calm and objective manner. Give them concrete, specific information including statistics. Direct them to a local avalanche training center and to at least one good on-line course. Help them register on Snowest and show them the Avalanche Safety Forum.
Level 2: a person at Level 2 has heard or read some information on avalanche safety but has not had a chance to apply it in the field. Encourage them to attend a local field session where they can get hands on experience in avalanche awareness, avoidance and rescue.
Level 3: a person at Level 3 has gone through Levels 1 and 2. They may or may not have actually ridden in avalanche country, but they talk a good story. Ask them if they have written out their will. Ask them if they have prepared their family and friends for their death. Talk to their family members. Ask family members to intervene and talk some sense into this individual.
Level 4: a person at Level 4 has transcended mere ignorance and is now living in the land of STUPIDITY. This person has been through all of the previous levels. They brag about riding in avalanche country. They talk about the avalanches they have triggered. They are heard to say things like, “I’m not worried, I always wear my beacon”. A person at Level 4 may require a full blown intervention. Friends and family may have to gather together and address the issue with this rider. If you find yourself in the mountains with this person, leave his presence immediately and take as many people with you as you can convince. This person is a danger to himself and all those with him.
So, there’s my draft. Do with it as you will. I’m looking forward to seeing how this ends up.
And, most of all, keep talking about this topic with those you know. For example, while sitting in the dentist’s chair the other day, I found out that the spouse of one of the assistants was a rider. She said he liked to ride in the hills. I asked her if he’d had any avy training. She said she didn’t think so. I told her about the 4 deaths recently along with some other info. She said she was going home that night and talk to him about it.
I even looked up the word in the dictionary, here’s a def I found on Wikipedia:
“Ignorance is a state of being uninformed (lack of knowledge). The word "ignorant" is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware and is often used as an insult.
Ignorance should be distinguished from stupidity, although both can lead to "unwise" acts. Also, if important information is available, one may fail to acquire it due to lack of intelligence (not realizing its importance, or not understanding it).”
So, with that in mind, and after reading the great threads you all have posted in this forum, I’d like to propose a “Levels of Ignorance” system for avalanche awareness and safety. This chart will identify where a person is on the levels chart and suggest how to deal with their ignorance.
Please consider this a work in progress. You may add, delete or modify it in any way you think would help to refine it.
I’m hoping that eventually a “Levels of Ignorance” chart can be developed that will go into power points in avalanche training and on the back of avalanche conditions cards. For example, levels of avalanche conditions on one side of the card, levels of ignorance on the other. Then, when someone takes out the card, they not only evaluate the avalanche conditions, they can evaluate where they are or where the folks they are riding with are in terms of avalanche safety and awareness and take appropriate action.
I’ll be sending this draft and a link to the thread on the Snowest Forum to the avalanche educators in the Idaho Department of Parks and Rec. You can feel free to send it to avalanche educators you know.
I am not copyrighting this document. It should remain free for all to use. Anyone who does copyright it and uses it for their own profit is a low down scoundrel, miscreant and ignoramus! May they blow a belt deep in the backcountry without a spare while riding alone in wolf country!
Levels of Avalanche Safety Awareness and How to Address Them
Level 1: a person at Level 1 may be a new snowmobiler or someone who has never ridden in avalanche country. They’ve heard little or no information on the topic. Deal with them in a calm and objective manner. Give them concrete, specific information including statistics. Direct them to a local avalanche training center and to at least one good on-line course. Help them register on Snowest and show them the Avalanche Safety Forum.
Level 2: a person at Level 2 has heard or read some information on avalanche safety but has not had a chance to apply it in the field. Encourage them to attend a local field session where they can get hands on experience in avalanche awareness, avoidance and rescue.
Level 3: a person at Level 3 has gone through Levels 1 and 2. They may or may not have actually ridden in avalanche country, but they talk a good story. Ask them if they have written out their will. Ask them if they have prepared their family and friends for their death. Talk to their family members. Ask family members to intervene and talk some sense into this individual.
Level 4: a person at Level 4 has transcended mere ignorance and is now living in the land of STUPIDITY. This person has been through all of the previous levels. They brag about riding in avalanche country. They talk about the avalanches they have triggered. They are heard to say things like, “I’m not worried, I always wear my beacon”. A person at Level 4 may require a full blown intervention. Friends and family may have to gather together and address the issue with this rider. If you find yourself in the mountains with this person, leave his presence immediately and take as many people with you as you can convince. This person is a danger to himself and all those with him.
So, there’s my draft. Do with it as you will. I’m looking forward to seeing how this ends up.
And, most of all, keep talking about this topic with those you know. For example, while sitting in the dentist’s chair the other day, I found out that the spouse of one of the assistants was a rider. She said he liked to ride in the hills. I asked her if he’d had any avy training. She said she didn’t think so. I told her about the 4 deaths recently along with some other info. She said she was going home that night and talk to him about it.
:anyone who says they haven't is lying not just to you but to himself.
I think you have come up with a great post. Keep up the good work. I for one appreciate when strangers
express their concern for our safety.....Terry
