The Human Factor - Lessons for Avalanche Education

Abstract

Avalanche accident statistics have long shown that the majority of avalanches catching people are triggered by people. While some accidents are the result of not recognizing potential hazard, most accidents occur because the victims either underestimate the hazard or overestimate their ability to deal with it. Victims tend to make critical decisions based on desires and assumptions rather than upon the integration of key pieces of physical data. This paper addresses the importance of the human factor in contributing to accidents and distils some lessons and strategies for avalanche education.