An avalanche is a mass of snow that moves down a mountainside at speeds of up to 20-30 metres per second. It can be triggered by earthquakes, melting ice, prolonged snowfall or careless human actions.
An avalanche can cause serious injuries. In addition, people trapped under it are squeezed by the compacted snow and quickly suffocate.
To survive an avalanche, you should remember and follow a few important rules.
What to do before an avalanche
What to do if you are caught in an avalanche
Image: Midas Hofstra / Unsplash
These steps should be followed when you see the snow on the slope starting to crumble.
Jump up the slope
Often the victim of an avalanche is the person who caused it by making a careless move. If you feel that the avalanche is starting right below you, try to jump up the slope above the break line to avoid being in the centre of the flow.
This should be done in the first second, and then it will pass below you. But the technique only works with an avalanche building up under your feet, not with a stream coming from above.
Move away from the avalanche
If you see an avalanche coming at you, don’t try to run away from it down the slope: it will catch up with you. Instead, move immediately to the side, perpendicular to the avalanche. This way you can get out of its path before it reaches you.
The avalanche is weaker at the edges than in the middle. By getting away from the centre of the flow, you will be less likely to fall, roll and get injured.
Experienced skiers can overtake an avalanche by moving away from it at a 45° angle, but this requires a lot of freeride skill. Don’t take any chances, move perpendicular to the flow, not obliquely.
Throw away unnecessary equipment
To survive an avalanche, your body should be as light as possible: this increases your chances of staying on the surface without sinking into the snow. So it’s worth shedding all the unnecessary equipment you can.
Take off your rucksack. Get rid of your skis and poles. Zip up your clothes to avoid getting snow in them.
Throw heavy objects and equipment away from you so that they do not injure you when they roll with the avalanche.
Activate your avalanche beacon. Many tourists forget about it and it becomes useless. Switch off your headphones and player if they are still on.
What to do during an avalanche
If you can’t escape the avalanche, take the following actions.
Grab onto something strong
Trees and boulders are unlikely to save you in a big avalanche, but they can help you hold on in smaller avalanches.
Try to hold on to a branch, a strong rock, or take cover behind the crest of a rock or a large trunk. This will increase your chances of not falling under the snow or rolling down the slope.
Stay afloat
When shelter is not possible or there is not enough time, the only thing left to do is to stay as close to the surface of the avalanche as possible so that you don’t sink too deeply into the snow.
Make swimming movements by pushing with your legs and swinging your arms. If you can, “float” on your back uphill: this will bring you to the surface of the snow.
If you have the avalanche airbag with you, it is time to pull the handle that activates it.
If it is too difficult to “float”, at least try to pull yourself upwards so that you don’t drown in the snow.
Take a deep breath
Take deep breaths and leave your chest inflated. This will help keep breathing space around your body if you find yourself deep under an avalanche. Otherwise, the tamped snow will squeeze your lungs hard.
Raise one arm to the top
This is certainly easier said than done, but it’s worth a try. Hold one arm above your head when an avalanche hits you.
Firstly, this will help rescuers find you faster. Secondly, if your hand remains free, you will be able to determine which direction to dig out in to reach the surface faster.
Protect your respiratory system
Most people in avalanches die from suffocation. They literally suffocate in the snow as it piles up in their mouths and sometimes goes straight into their lungs.
Protect your mouth and nose by covering them with a mitten or scarf to keep snow out. And keep your jaws closed so you don’t accidentally bite your tongue.
What to do when the avalanche slows down
An avalanche doesn’t last long. The flow can usually take about a kilometre and a half before stopping, which takes about a minute of time. When you feel the flow slowing down, do the following.
Create an air pocket for breathing
To avoid choking, create a breathing space by clearing snow in front of your face and chest. Such a pocket will provide enough air for about half an hour.
Before the avalanche settles down, take a few deep breaths in and out to expand your chest. This prevents the snow from binding your body and compressing your lungs.
If you have an AvaLung or equivalent, it is time to activate it and insert the mouthpiece into your mouth.
Do not panic or shout
Snow muffles sounds. Therefore, even the most desperate calls for help will not attract group mates or rescuers, but will only waste oxygen.
What to do when the avalanche stops
If the snow flow around you stops moving, you should take more active steps to save yourself.
Identify the top and bottom
Most people caught in a snow avalanche are disorientated and can’t figure out which way to dig out. You may unknowingly dig deeper and waste your oxygen supply.
Instead, dig out the air pocket in front of your face and spit directly in front of you. See which direction gravity will carry your saliva away, and then dig in the opposite direction. It’s best to do this several times – just to be safe.
If you can’t spit, look in which direction the vapour comes out on the exhalation. It should go upwards – that is where you should dig.
Try to dig out
Start shovelling the snow in front of your face and chest and over your head and move it under your feet and then tamp it down. This is how you will be able to get out. Save your strength and do not shout.
