Observing certain rules in an avalanche zone may be of great help in avoiding and accident/ injury. The rules are: –

• Do not go alone in an avalanche prone area.
• Negotiate the safest slope and take the safest part of the slope which is nearer the top than the bottom of the slope. Most dangerous slope angles are between 30 to 40 degrees.
• When climbing up a snow slope go straight up rather than cut across.
• When possible keep to the ridge, but be on the look-out for weak cornices. Should your companion on the rope fall to the left, belay him by jumping to the right of the ridge and vice-versa. Needless to say you must be roped for this exercise.
• Unless you are on the ridge, unrope and travel apart in dangerous area with a distance of 50 to 100 feet from each other.
• Maintain silence and do not stamp your feet, even sound vibrations can sometimes trigger off an avalanche.
• Wear an avalanche cord. Carry first aid kit and basic rescue equipment with the party.
• Cover nose and mouth with a cloth.
• If on skis, loosen ski-bindings, unbuckle rucksack belt.
• Do not venture on a slope after a heavy snowfall; the deeper the snow the greater is the danger. An accumulation rate in excess of one inch per hour leads to avalanche hazard.
• Watch the weather variations after a snowfall. A sudden increase in temperature after snowfall, especially with a dry wind, also creates avalanche risk.