Avalanche Experts Urge 'Know Before You Go' About Dangerous Conditions
DENVER (CBS4)- There's a new education effort underway to keep people safe during avalanches and its designed not only for backcountry skiers and boarders but everyone who lives or travels to Colorado's high country.
"We will speak to anyone who wants to hear the message from Boy Scouts, Girl Scout troops, school to ski area personnel, to church groups, anyone willing to hear our message," said Colorado Avalanche Information Center Deputy Director Brian Lazar.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, or CAIC, the state agency responsible for determining avalanche danger, wants to educate all Coloradans about what to do if ever caught in an avalanche situation.
The basic level class is called "Know Before You Go" and is designed to educate everyone about the dangers of avalanches. Experts concentrate on five basic points.
"It's get the gear, get the training, get the forecast, get the picture and get out of harm's way. The whole program is built around those five public safety messages," said Lazar.
That gear includes a shovel, probe and avalanche beacon.
"This is something you wear close to your body all day long," said Lazar.
The program started in Utah 10 years ago. Now there is a push across the entire continent to educate as many people as possible.
"The primary target is middle school or high school-aged students but the program could be adapted to an adult audience as well," said Lazar. "To be honest, we're hoping to hit as many people as we can and if we get into the tens of thousands of people that we reach this year that would be great."
The class is free. The CAIC has instructors across Colorado.
