OMRC 2012 Snow Reaccreditation Scenario Information
EMR / PMR is up at the Ray Benson Sno Park getting ready for a day of snow training.
While gearing up, EMR / PMR is approached by an individual with information from a 911 call.
The individual (it could be a Linn County Deputy or Santiam Pass ski patrol member) hands over
a real 911 call information form with the following information:
1) A group of people were climbing on Hayrick Butte (not sure how many people, their names,
ages, genders, experience, gear or anything else more specific).
2) GPS coordinates from the reporting party's cell phone are provided (they are real coordinates
for the actual scenario site).
3) The reporting party's name is Chris Davis. His cell phone number is 541-250-1079. The
accident happened at about 8:30 / 12:30. The dispatch center was able to find the
information from Chris’s drivers license and that is provided.
4) The reporting party stated that there had been a climbing accident and reported whiteout
conditions.
5) The cell signal has been lost and the reporting party's cell phone has started to go directly to
voice mail.
6) The 911 center will continue to try to contact the reporting party and will forward any
further information to the ski patrol at Hoodoo.
What actually happened is that a climbing party of four individuals were taking a break from
climbing on steeper sections of Hayrick Butte. They were on an upper snow slope when an
avalanche swept all four individuals down slope. The reporting party, Chris Davis, was tumbled
a bit down slope, but was able to get out of the avalanche. The other three individuals, Jason
Killian, Dead Guy #1, and Dead Guy #2, were taken farther down slope.
Chris (Patient #1) will be located at the top of the scenario area and will have his back pack, a
helmet on, an avalanche beacon on transmit, a harness on, a crampon on the left foot, the right
crampon either missing or placed down slope as a clue, his ice axe (tools) will be missing or
placed down slope as clues, and he will have been able to place a picket (or two) and secure
himself using items from his harness. Chris will not be able to see or hear any of the other three
individuals that were swept down slope. Chris will have a tib/fib fracture on his right leg, the
fracture will not be open, but he will be in good shape otherwise with only mild shock and
hypothermia at first. This should get progressively worse if the fracture is not splinted within a
reasonable time (about an hour from the start of the scenario) and if they do not aggressively
warm and protect Chris from the elements. There will be no indicators for head or spinal injury.
Chris will have to be splinted, packaged, and transported down slope. OMRC is requiring the
use of a rope system with a second station down slope. The testing team will have to use only
snow anchors at one of their evacuation stations, but can choose which station to use snow
anchors and they can use any other anchor type they want for the rest of the evacuation. The
testing team has to get Chris at least down to the bottom of the slope and possibly farther if time
permits.
The slopes below Chris should be dug up as much as practical to simulate avalanche debris.
Some climber's gear can be placed in the area, such as Chris’s crampon and ice tools, maybe a
tangled rope, some slings, etc.
For Dead Guy #1, there will be an avalanche beacon placed in a target that has a note in the
plastic container that says the subject is dead and can not be resuscitated. The beacon and target
can be placed anywhere in the debris zone that seems appropriate. The beacon should be buried
at least 3 or 4 feet down.
For patient #2, Jason Killian, a hole will be dug and he will be buried to his upper chest with his
head and one arm free. Jason will have his pack on, a helmet on, a avalanche beacon on
transmit, a harness and crampons on, and will have lost his ice ax (tools). Jason will have no
injuries other than moderate hypothermia. Jason will be fully insulated with multiple pads,
sleeping bags, bivy bag, patient warmer and anything else Jason needs to stay warm. Once Jason
is dug out, the items used to keep Jason warm will not be considered a part of the scenario. As
long as Jason is dug out and warmed up in a reasonable amount of time (about a half an hour
from the start of the scenario), Jason can be walked out.
Dead Guy #2, Rescue Randy, will not have a beacon and will be completely buried at least 2 or 3
feet down. Randy's pack will have a beacon, on transmit, in it and the pack placed in a tree near
Randy. Randy will have to be located using a probe line and the pack should also be located and
the beacon turned off. Clues can be placed leading to Randy's location so that the time required
for a probe line to find Randy is reduced. If the probe line has not located Randy after 15
minutes, one of the Avalanche Evaluators should provide clues to help the probe line find Randy.
If the new clues do not help, stop the probe line at 20 minutes and show the team where Randy is
located. Randy should then be dug up using smart shoveling techniques and completely
uncovered. Once Randy is uncovered, Randy will have a note that will list Randy’s condition as
dead and can not be resuscitated.