Winter Sports Hazards

To the Editor:— The article on snowmobile injuries ( 209 :1672, 1969) by Chism and Soule evokes another facet of the problem which needs emphasis. This is the need for training in winter survival, winter first aid techniques, and hazard recognition. In Montana during the past winter, a man and his son died after their snowmobile fell through the ice on Yellowtail Reservoir. Another serious problem is avalanche hazard. The National Ski Patrol System has developed a slide lecture on avalanche hazard which members are happy to present at meetings of snowmobile organizations. Those of us who are experienced in ski touring are aghast at the potential problems posed by large numbers of untrained individuals in poor physical condition, many miles from assistance.