Avalanche! The Psychology of Risk

February 24
1h 5m

Episode Description

After a tragic avalanche in Lake Tahoe killed 9 people and multiple skiers died in the same week, Dr. Kaveh Hoda sits down with two wilderness experts to discuss what went wrong and how to stay safe in the backcountry.

Joined by Scott Gaber (lead instructor at Teton Rescue, former Tahoe SAR team leader) and Michael Novak (PA, wilderness medicine instructor, 7-year SAR veteran), they break down:

  • The Swiss cheese model of risk mitigation
  • Group dynamics that lead to dangerous decisions
  • Essential avalanche safety equipment (beacons, airbags, Avalon)
  • Why 70% of avalanche deaths happen to trained people
  • How to have honest conversations about risk in high-pressure situations


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