Surviving an Avalanche

It can be a nightmare situation being caught in an avalanche.

The popularity of winter sports has increased meaning there are more people on the slopes but at a time when climate change is influencing the amount and type of snowfall on the mountain slopes. In recent weeks there seems, to me, to have been more than the usual news of fatalities from avalanches in Italy, Austria, Scotland and as far away as Kashmir.
.
The phenomena does not discriminate between experienced or novice whether skiing, snowboarding, climbing or just trekking. Of course, statistically the slopes remain pretty safe and no more of a risk than other outdoor sporting pursuits in areas of dramatic natural terrain. Various strategies have been developed to give an improved chance of survival in the event of an avalanche.

Here is a rough guide.

Most avalanche victims trigger the avalanche themselves, and sometimes the avalanche will start right beneath their feet. If this happens, try to jump up slope, beyond the fracture line. An avalanche happens so quickly that it's almost impossible to react fast enough to do this, but it has been done.

Whether the avalanche starts above you or beneath you, you may be able to make your way toward the side. Don't hesitate and move as quickly as possible to the side of the avalanche slope. If the avalanche begins well above you, you may be able to get out of its path before it reaches you. The snow will be moving fastest near the centre of the flow, and that's also where the highest volume of snow will be.

You want your body to be as lightweight as possible, so let go of your backpack, poles, and other heavy equipment you may be carrying. This raises the chances that you'll be able to stay toward the surface of the snow.You should do your utmost not let go of survival equipment, such as a transceiver and probe or snow shovel; you'll need these if you get buried. People searching for you later may be able to find you if they see some pieces of equipment on the surface of the snow, so you could let go of a glove or something else that's light to increase the chances they'll find you. Often it's not possible to ditch your skis before you're buried in snow. Don't worry if you can't; it sometimes works out OK. There are many cases where victims were quickly found because a ski tip protruded above the surface.

If you're unable to escape the avalanche, try to grab on to a boulder or sturdy tree. If it's a small avalanche, or if you're near the edge of the avalanche, you may be able to hold on until the flow of snow passes you. Even if you get ripped away from the object you're holding, if you can succeed in delaying your departure downhill, you have a better chance of not being buried or, at least, of not being buried as deeply. Keep in mind however that a very powerful avalanche can carry away even large rocks and trees. Powder snow avalanches have been recorded at 200mph.

Start a swimming movement. This may seem a strange thing to advise at first but this is essential to help you stay near the surface of the snow. The human body is much denser than snow, so you'll tend to sink as you get carried downhill. Try to stay afloat by kicking your feet and thrashing your arms in a swimming motion. Swim on your back. This way your face is turned toward the surface, giving you a better chance of getting oxygen more quickly if you get buried.

Disorientation is a major problem in the fast paced and traumatic events associated with an avalanche. If you can or remember to, hold one arm straight above your head. It should be pointed in the direction of the snow's surface. This will help you figure out which way is up, since it's easy to get disoriented once you're buried. It may also help rescuers locate you. As a means of determining which way is up try spitting out a small amount of your saliva can also help with figuring because the fluid will always run down.

Once the avalanche stops, snow settles in as heavily as concrete. This is the same for powdery snow or slab snow avalanches. If you're buried deeper than a foot or so when it sets, it will be impossible to get out on your own. Your only hope then is to ward off asphyxiation long enough for people to dig you out.

Of critical importance to increasing chances of survival use either your free hand or an avalanche shovel to dig an air pocket near your nose and mouth but only when the avalanche slows down. With a small air pocket to breathe from, you should have enough air to last at least 30 minutes. Again, if you are conscious and capable of logical thought try to take a deep breath before the snow settles. Right before the snow settles, inhale deeply and hold your breath for a few seconds. This causes your chest to expand, which will give you some breathing room when the snow hardens around you. If you don't have this breathing room, you may not even be able to expand your chest to breathe while you're buried.

Try to move once the snow settles, but don't jeopardise your air pocket. If you're very near the surface, you may be able to dig your way out, but otherwise you will not be going anywhere for a while. Don't waste precious breath by struggling against the snow. If you get stuck in the avalanche and feel like urinating, do so. Although this might make you feel uncomfortable, rescue dogs strongly rely on smell to locate a victim while walking on the snow surface, thus urine can become a very useful tool in this kind of situation.

Remain calm and wait to be rescued. If you hear people nearby, try to call them, but don't keep it up if they don't seem to hear you. You can probably hear them better than they can hear you, and shouting just wastes your limited air supply.

Wait for rescuers to come. If you hit the slopes with an avalanche beacon and probe, and your fellow skiers did the same, someone will be able to find you and dig you out. Stay calm and wait.

You can do a lot to pre-prepare for the avalanche worse-case scenario.

Never hit the slopes without avalanche survival equipment. There are a few pieces of equipment that greatly reduce people's risk of dying in an avalanche. Invest in the following items:

a)An avalanche receiver and probe. The receiver puts out a signal to show where the person is buried, and the probe is used to locate the person and start digging. Every person in your party should carry both.
b)A small shovel. This is used to dig an air pocket around the face.A helmet. Many avalanche-related fatalities happen because of the initial impact of the snow knocking people off of their feet.
c)Skier's air bags have become more popular in recent years. They help to keep your body toward the surface of the snow, so you're less likely to get buried.

Before you get to the slopes you should consider taking an avalanche training course. Avalanches happen frequently enough that many organizations provide intensive training courses to coach skiers and snowboarders on how to avoid avalanches, save themselves, and rescue each other. If you're travelling to avalanche country, it's worth taking a course.

If you get buried in a remote area and know there's no one around to dig you out, your only chance of survival will be to dig yourself out. It can be difficult to tell which way is up, so if you can see any light, try to dig toward it. If you can see your breath, dig in the direction that it rises.

Pay attention to weather reports and ask Rangers and Mountain Rescue Teams in the know about local conditions and being savvy about where avalanches occur. Never presume that an area will be safe - do your research in advance.

Once you're caught in an avalanche and in spite of taking every precaution and knowing the drills you will have to face the truth that your survival mainly comes down to luck.

The only sure way to survive an avalanche is to avoid one altogether. Learn how to do so, and always err on the side of caution in avalanche country.

As for me, I just can't stand snow anyway and stay well away. It is far too dangerous. Now, where is my equipment for rock climbing, base jumping, white water rafting, potholing and cliff diving.........................................

(Source; BBC World Service and Wikihow)