Taos Ski Valley, NM, posted a photo of an avalanche dog and her handler this morning, with the caption, "a huge congratulations to Malia and Kona for becoming the first NM avalanche dog team to validate with C-RAD Avalanche Rescue!"
"Kona found two buried subjects in less than 5 minutes which is pretty incredible. This is such an amazing and well-deserved accomplishment. We are so proud of you both!" See below.
In other words, it's a huge deal to be C-RAD validated, and just like a human certification, there is a lot of work behind receiving the badge of honor at the end.
C-RAD is a 501(c)3 organization with nearly 100 members across Colorado. C-RAD stands for Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment. A validated C-RAD team consists of 3 members: an avalanche dog, the avalanche dog handler and an avalanche technician.
The dog and handler duo are validated through C-RAD, which ensures they’re able to interview a reporting party appropriately and efficiently, while also clearing a mock avalanche field of an unknown number of buried victims within an allotted amount of time.
The avalanche technician is trained in the Incident Command System and is able to execute avalanche rescue using a beacon, RECCO device and extrication tools at a highly proficient level. This person is also able to operate as site commander, and oversees all tasks and information relevant to the rescue.
Traditionally, the three members deploy together, working in support roles or as primary rescuers, and can relay information and needs back to an incident command.
According to C-RAD's website, the first Colorado avalanche rescue dogs started training in Summit County in the mid-1980s. But the real reason behind creating the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment was the devastating Peak 7 avalanche outside the Breckenridge Ski Area boundary in 1987.
In 1987, eight people were caught in the massive slide, and four people without avalanche transceivers were buried and killed.
The search and rescue operation took three whole days and required hundreds of rescue professionals and volunteers to probe into feet of avalanche debris to find the victims. "Realizing the need for coordinated, county-wide avalanche response with trained dogs, the Summit County Sheriff, Summit County Search and Rescue Group, and Flight for Life helicopter service began to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the robust statewide C-RAD program we have today."
C-RAD has reportedly expanded its training opportunities for current and future dog teams over the past couple of years, and they aim to continue expanding their programs as well as their public outreach to engage communities and inspire future generations of avalanche rescue teams.
Congratulations again, Malia and Kona!
More must-reads: