“We are witnessing a trivialization of risk through social networks”, estimates a safety professional on the slopes

After the death of two skiers in one week, a professional in the sector discusses the role of social networks on franceinfo.

“We are witnessing a trivialization of risk through social networks”estimates Saturday December 28, Éric Viallet, the director of the National Association of Directors of Slopes and Safety of Winter Sports Resorts (ADSP), after the death of two skiers in one week in avalanches in areas off-piste terrain in Savoie.

“Off-piste skiing remains a risky practice”underlines Éric Viallet, who recalls that Savoie is on avalanche vigilance 3, which “requires the greatest caution” due to “heavy snowfall, with wind, on a layer of fragile snow”. “We are witnessing a trivialization of risk through a certain number of vectors such as social networks”he says, referring to “videos in which skiers are swept away by avalanches and miraculously escape unscathed”. They “give an impression of ease” Who “plays tricks on practitioners who think that the risk is less or does not exist”.

“It is out of the question to ban off-piste”affirms the director of the ADSP, “we simply discourage practicing it when we reach a certain level of risk”. “If you decide to practice it despite everything, you must equip yourself correctly and get information from professionals”he indicates. Equipment “basic” includes an avalanche victim detector (DVA), which the two victims were not equipped with, “the shovel, the probe and the Airbag bag, which is a device that allows you to stay on the surface of the avalanche”. It is also necessary “take the right information, read the avalanche risk bulletin issued by Météo France every day and have a good knowledge of the terrain and the mountain”.