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Avalanche Safety Issue

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deathcookie
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 1,196
Why do people put so much effort into having avalanche safety gear such as avalungs, beacons, probes, etc. but these same people dont wear helmets into the backcountry? I feel like hitting your head is just as likely as being caught in a deathly avalanche if you're skiing dangerous stuff, and isnt trauma one of the main reasons people die when they are caught in avalanches?
Jan 11 2011 8:21PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
most people wear helmets in the backcountry
Jan 11 2011 8:23PM
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J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
my car had airbags, but i dont wear a seatbelt. it's uncomfortable and i dont like it.


but to be more direct to your question, a lot do once they are skiing, but not when skinning, digging pits, snow tests...etc
Jan 11 2011 8:25PM
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Doug.
Posts: 2236 - Karma: 457
Because they are bulky and another thing that you have to carry. Ill always bring one if I feel like im doing something sketchy, but most of the time I dont need one. That being said I always ride with one when skiing in the park and inbounds powder skiing
Jan 11 2011 8:43PM
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Get.Kronk
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 226
trauma usually means being broken in half by the snow or having your chest smashed, not being knocked on the head.
Jan 11 2011 8:44PM
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deathcookie
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 1,196
That may be true, but Im pretty sure that a shovel, backpack,beacon, probe, avalung, and ABS balloon thing all weigh more than a helmet. I think it is rediculous that the president of an outdoors club (which has over a thousand members)on my campus preaches the avalanche gear like crazy but doesnt wear a helmet. I went on a backcountry trip skinning up a mountain with 20 people and I was the only one to wear a helmet.
Jan 11 2011 8:51PM
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Doug.
Posts: 2236 - Karma: 457
Ya for sure. I think its a great idea to bring a helmet and I probably should start doing it more often. When I first started I always brought one up, but no one I go with uses one so maybe there a bad influence.
Jan 12 2011 1:59AM
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soup
Posts: 6320 - Karma: 4,261
most of the time when you are touring in the backcountry, you are not hucking huge cliffs because if you do get hurt back there, you're done.  I have hit cliffs out there but most of the time your just searching for chutes and big open faces. 

and as said before, helmets are bulky and one more things to carry and in the backcountry, its all about packing light.
Jan 12 2011 2:42AM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
spot on.

Jan 12 2011 3:18AM
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scottcha
Posts: 63 - Karma: 32
main reason I wear helmet in the bc is for buried rocks/stumps.  Esp early and late season you find this stuff just under the top of the snow all the time.  Yes, its bulky but its not too heavy.

Jan 12 2011 12:56PM
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dodgey
Posts: 590 - Karma: 266
completely wrong. trauma is any injury it doesn't matter how severe
Jan 12 2011 1:15PM
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