[DesertRhino]

“and call for help if a slide occurs and buries the other person.”

Large parts of the West have no cell. None.

[Regulator]

A friend of mine was buried up to his neck in a slide. A slide sets up like concrete in a matter of seconds; he was frozen in place.

He kept yelling for help going on 4 hours. Eventually other skiers (nordic) in a shelter about 100 yards away heard him and came out looking. They found him and he survived.

The phrase "call for help" operates on many levels. There are satellite based phones and beacons, an ELT for the backcountry is well worth it.

The Artex corporation sells PLB's (Personal Locator Beacons) for backcountry use as an example. Everyone should carry a PIEPS locator beacon as well.

Backcountry survival is a matter of training and preparation.