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Decision Frameworks
Structured approaches to avalanche decision-making. These frameworks help you organize information, assess risk, and make consistent decisions in the backcountry.
Which Framework Should You Use?
🧭 Use AIARE Framework for:
- •Overall trip planning and decision hierarchy
- •Systematic top-down approach
- •Teaching and practicing decision-making
🎯 Use Avaluator for:
- •Quick risk assessment before heading out
- •Matching terrain to current conditions
- •Simple, objective decision support
💎 Use FACETS for:
- •Field observations checklist
- •Ensuring you gather complete information
- •Communicating conditions to your group
💡 Best Practice
Use them together! Start with Avaluator before you leave, apply AIARE framework for planning your route and making slope-by-slope decisions, and use FACETS as your field observation checklist. They complement each other.