SNOW SPORTS PARTNER CHECK
SNOW SPORTS PARTNER CHECK
Preventative measures for increased safety
Partner checks are an important preventative element of the whole mountain tour process and should become a routine procedure before every ski or splitboard tour. This deuter Basecamp article walks you through the principles and ways of conducting a partner check, so that you can implement it as part of planning and executing a tour, for increased safety for both you and your team.
Checklist for carrying out a thorough partner check
The following is a checklist that you can use as a pre-tour partner check. In addition to a systematic check of all ski or splitboard gear, it also covers avalanche equipment, health status, knowledge of the tour, and code of conduct.
Checklist to ensure your ski/ splitboard tour runs smoothly and safely
By eliminating any needless risks before you set off, you will make it safer for you and your teammates. This checklist offers guidelines to support you in preparing for your next ski tour.
Checklist
Depending on how familiar group members are with each other, it is important everyone knows each other by name, that contact details are exchanged and they are all fully knowledgeable on the tour you are about to undertake. Putting an open question to the group about their hopes and requirements engenders trust, yields important information and may lead to different group allocations or changes to the tour. It is important that all group members are fully aware that they are responsible for themselves. It is also important to know how to deal with minors and to appreciate the particular responsibility and liability that exists should minors be part of the group.
It is important that everyone is familiar with the tour, the route it follows, length and elevation gain, locations for potential rest breaks and refreshments, as well as the avalanche situation and avalanche patterns, and that they are able to correctly evaluate that information for themselves and assess their own abilities with regard to these. It is also essential to share knowledge and clarify in advance what the rules of conduct will be on the tour, such as where to lay tracks, spacing in between skiers or moving one by one, and to establish expectations. Find out more here.
Making sure that the tour requirements and skiers’ physical fitness are aligned is important and can be ascertained by asking questions on the following topics:
- Any relevant illnesses or symptoms
- Signs of fatigue
- Physical injuries like bruising, sprains, ...
- Use of medication (e.g. insulin)
- Allergies
- Type of ski / board (depending on snow, ability, tour type)
- Edges (visual inspection)
- Topsheets (visual inspection for cracks, damage to the surface)
- Bases (visual/ manual inspection)
- Wax (liquid or solid)
- Length (adjusted to length of boot being used)
- Secure fit (test)
- Release mech. works (test)
- Release value (visual inspection)
- Pins (visual inspection)
- Walk-mode (visual inspection/ test)
- Type of boot (depending on the tour)
- Buckles (visual inspection)
- Walk-mode (test)
- Shell (visual inspection for cracks or damage, stability, waterproofness)
- Soles (visual inspection of tread)
- Powder baskets (fit properly)
- Grips (visual inspection)
- Quick-release strap function (test)
- Twist/ release lock for telescopic poles (stability and tension)
- Bent?
- Folding / sliding function (test)
- Adhesive surface (manual inspection)
- Attachment elements (visual inspection)
- Condition of skins (visual inspection for rips or damage)
- Skin consistency (check for wax)
- Adhesive
- Anti-balling spray
- Fit the bindings (test)
- Correct width (test)
- Fit the boots (strap-on (C1)/ semi-flexible (C2)/ step-in crampons(C3))
- Length (adjust)
- Points condition and configuration (visual inspection) check
- Condition/quality (visual check for cracks or damage)
- Service life (according to manufacturer’s specifications)
- Type (depending on tour)
- Shaft and tip (visual inspection for damage)
- Pick or blade if applicable (visual inspection for damage)
- Service life (according to manufacturer's specifications)
- Condition of buckles (visual inspection for cracks or damage)
- Condition of straps/ webbing (visual inspection for rips or damage)
- Service life (according to manufacturer's specifications)
- Length, diameter, number/qty and type (depending on tour and group numbers)
- Condition/ quality (visual check for fraying or damage)
- Service life (according to manufacturer's specifications)
- Functioning correctly (run tests / beacon self-test)
- Batteries (min 60% charge status, for longer routes min 80% – visual inspection)
- Position (close to body, at chest height and at safe distance from cell phone)
- Hand loop (visual inspection)
- Subject to any product recalls?
- Condition/ quality (visual check for cracks or damage)
- Assembly (visual inspection for broken/ missing connectors)
- Functional (test mechanism for opening out and folding together)
- Helmet (service life according to manufacturer's specifications)
- Gloves
- Sunglasses / goggles
- Spare/ extra layers (warm enough)
- Protective equipment (if applicable)
- Spare parts
- Sun protection
- Hat
- Food and drink
- Money
- Backpack check (fit, zippers, for airbag backpacks: cartridge condition/ battery charge status and location, trigger handle, correctly folded airbag, service life according to manufacturer)
- Group members form a semi-circle around the control person.
- Group members switch their beacons to ‘search’ mode.
- Control person switches beacon to ‘send’ mode.
- Group members one by one provide control person with the following information:
- Battery status
- Distance (this should be similar for all members)
- All group members switch beacon back to ‘send’ mode and stow it away on their person.
- Control person goes ahead some distance.
- Control person switches their beacon to ‘group check’ mode.
- Group members pass the control person one by one.
- Distance between group members: 4-5 meters. Distance between group members and control person: Min. 1 meter.
- Control person carries out auditory check (beeping noise) to ensure group members’ beacons are working.
- Control person switches beacon to ‘send’ mode and stows it away on their person.