Your chance of survival is greatly increased if you are discovered
quickly. The deeper you are, the worse your situation.
Speed is essential. Two-thirds of fatalities are due to suffocation,
so the chances of survival diminish very quickly after the first half-hour.
Make sure the slope is stable after the initial slide. Stay alert
as you search so you are not caught in a second slide.
Mark the spot where the victim was last seen.
Carry out a quick search first, then a more detailed hunt. Shout and
use the handle of your pole or the tail of your ski to probe the snow
if you don't have a shovel or avalanche pole. Most probable areas are
at the edges of the slides, or around boulders and trees.
If there are several in the group, two should go for help after a
first quick search, the rest carry on searching.
Once you have located the victim, uncover the face with all speed.
Depending on the type of avalanche, injuries are likely to be suffocation
or crushing, as well as hypothermia.
Add to favourites
Make ifyouski my homepage