Emmanuel, or Manu as the resort staff at Val Thorens in France call him, has been a part of Ski Patrol there for 15 years. Every ski resort across the world has a Ski patrol unit. Members of Ski Patrol provide emergency rescue services and care to skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, hikers and anyone else in the mountains.

 He says the best chance of surviving in an avalanche is to have an air pocket whilst under the snow and for your accident to be seen by witnesses who can then call for rescue quickly as well as having a RECCO system (a type of electronic searching device) and a transceiver on you. If no one saw the avalanche, they rely on dogs to sniff the victim out. After that? It’s just chance he says…

Manu’s top tips for backcountry skiers are to “keep your equipment on, and at least you have to practice with this equipment. Beacon and shovel and probe you must always have this in your bag.

Ask the ski patrol at the top of the lift what is the conditions of the snow and the wind, one or two days before [venturing into the backcountry] and don’t stop in the slope to take a picture of your friend!”…something he has experienced this with a lot of avalanche victims.

Why does Manu ski backcountry himself? Without hesitation, he answers “because it’s fun. Because I love boarding and skiing. Sometimes it’s just perfect.”

 

In the video below, Manu explains how him and his team of ski patrol rescue avalanche victims at the resort. He demonstrates how to use the the equipment they use on rescue missions. You can read about the Beacon, Shovel and Probe that Manu uses, here.

Manu Laissus from Mollie Perella on Vimeo.