Avalanche Survival: A Comprehensive Guide to Staying Alive in the Snow

The sheer beauty and tranquility of a snow-covered mountain landscape can quickly turn into a deadly trap when an avalanche strikes. Avalanches are powerful forces of nature, capable of burying victims under tons of snow in mere seconds. While avoidance is always the best strategy, understanding how to react during an avalanche can dramatically increase your chances of survival. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on how to navigate this terrifying scenario, covering everything from preparation to rescue.

Understanding Avalanches: The First Step to Survival

Before venturing into avalanche terrain, it’s critical to understand what causes them and the different types that can occur. This knowledge will help you assess risk and make informed decisions while in the backcountry.

Types of Avalanches:

• Loose Snow Avalanches (Point Releases): These typically start from a single point and fan out as they descend. They occur when the cohesion between snow crystals is weak, often during or immediately after a snowfall, especially on steep slopes.
• Slab Avalanches: These are the most dangerous and occur when a cohesive slab of snow breaks away from a weaker layer beneath. They often propagate and can involve large volumes of snow. They frequently occur when a weak layer becomes overloaded by a subsequent snowfall, or temperature changes alter the layers, thus decreasing its overall stability.

Factors Contributing to Avalanches:

• Slope Angle: Avalanches are most likely to occur on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees.
• Snowpack Structure: The arrangement of layers within the snowpack plays a crucial role. Weak layers, like buried surface hoar (frost crystals formed on the snow surface), can become the failure plane for a slab avalanche.
• Weather: Recent snowfall, rain, wind, and rapid temperature changes all influence snowpack stability.
• Human Trigger: The weight of a skier, snowboarder, or snowmobiler can initiate an avalanche on an unstable slope.

Avalanche Danger Scale:

Familiarize yourself with the avalanche danger scale, which ranges from Low to Extreme. Pay close attention to daily avalanche forecasts from reputable sources (e.g., your local avalanche center). Understanding the current danger level is essential for planning your backcountry activities.

Pre-Trip Preparation: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Survival begins long before you step onto the snow. Proper planning and preparation are crucial for minimizing your risk and maximizing your survival chances should an avalanche occur.

Essential Gear:

• Avalanche Transceiver (Beacon): This device transmits a signal that can be picked up by other transceivers, allowing rescuers to locate you if you’re buried. Ensure you know how to use it properly before going out.
• Probe Pole: Used to pinpoint the location of a buried victim after a transceiver search.
• Shovel: Essential for digging out a buried victim quickly and efficiently.
• Avalanche Airbag Pack: This pack inflates rapidly when triggered, increasing your volume and helping you stay closer to the surface of the avalanche. Not a replacement for other rescue gear, but a useful aid.
• First Aid Kit: Carry a kit that is specific to outdoor activities, including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relief, and any personal medication.
• Navigation Tools: Map, compass, and GPS device (with extra batteries) for navigating and locating yourself, even if visibility is poor.
• Communication Device: Cellphone (if there is service), satellite phone, or two-way radio, to contact help in emergencies.
• Appropriate Clothing: Dress in layers, including moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a waterproof outer layer. Don’t forget gloves/mittens, a warm hat, and goggles or sunglasses.
• Food and Water: Carry high-energy snacks and plenty of water to stay hydrated and maintain your energy levels.

Avalanche Education:

• Take an Avalanche Safety Course: Learn from professionals about avalanche formation, terrain analysis, rescue techniques, and proper gear usage.
• Practice Regularly: Familiarize yourself with your rescue gear by practicing transceiver searches, probing, and shoveling regularly.
• Learn to Read Terrain: Develop the ability to identify avalanche-prone slopes and avoid them. Look for signs like recent avalanche activity, cracks in the snow, and changes in slope angle.
• Check the Weather Forecast: Pay attention to recent snowfall, wind conditions, and temperature changes that could affect snowpack stability.
• Read Avalanche Bulletins: Check with the local avalanche center for the latest danger ratings and warnings.

Trip Planning:

• Choose Routes Wisely: Select routes that avoid avalanche terrain, or use techniques such as traversing slopes individually and utilizing ridges for safe movement in areas where avalanche danger exists.
• Inform Someone of Your Plans: Tell a trusted person where you are going, your planned route, and when you expect to be back.
• Travel in a Group: Never travel in avalanche terrain alone. Always go with a group of trusted partners, and be certain that everyone in your party is equipped with avalanche rescue gear and knows how to use it.

During an Avalanche: Reacting to a Deadly Situation

When an avalanche is triggered, time is of the essence. Your actions in the first few seconds can make a significant difference in your chances of survival. If you see or feel the snow moving, react quickly and decisively.

If You Are Caught:

1. Yell: Immediately yell “Avalanche!” to alert your group.
2. Move Away From the Flow: Try to move to the side of the avalanche, either towards trees or rocks if possible. Getting out of the main flow is key to not being buried.
3. Deploy Your Airbag Pack: If you have one, deploy your avalanche airbag pack immediately.
4. Discard Your Gear: Drop your skis, poles, or snowboard. These can act as anchors, increasing the chance of being dragged further down the slope, or become a dangerous encumbrance if you become buried.
5. Swim Upward: If you are being carried by the avalanche, attempt to use swimming motions to fight your way towards the surface. Imagine yourself swimming the backstroke, with your arms and legs pushing you up.
6. Create an Air Pocket: As the avalanche begins to slow, try to make an air pocket in front of your face by pushing your hands outwards. This will give you a small space to breathe once the snow stops moving, as the avalanche can set like concrete once it comes to rest.

If You Are Buried:

Being buried in an avalanche is a terrifying experience, but remaining calm and focused is crucial for survival.

• Conserve Air: Try to keep your breathing slow and calm. If you’ve successfully created an air pocket, use it to your advantage by trying to breathe slowly and regularly.
• Stay Calm: Panicking consumes valuable oxygen and can cloud your judgement. Focus on surviving, remain calm, and don’t let fear overwhelm you.
• Assess Your Situation: Try to understand your position. If you can move your arms or legs, try to determine which way is up.
• Make Noise: If possible, yell or bang on the snow to alert rescuers.
• Conserve Energy: Avoid unnecessary movements to conserve your energy and oxygen supply.

Rescue Procedures: Helping Others and Getting Help

If a member of your group is caught in an avalanche, it’s crucial to act quickly and effectively. Every second counts when someone is buried.

Transceiver Search:

1. Switch to Search Mode: Immediately switch your transceiver to search mode. Make sure all other members of the party also switch to search mode.
2. Do a Quick Visual Search: Quickly scan the avalanche debris to see if the victim is visible on the surface.
3. Grid Search: Conduct a systematic grid search, moving over the debris field using the transceiver’s signal to guide you. When performing a search, move in straight lines and try not to leave gaps between you and your search party members.
4. Fine Search: As you get closer to the victim, slow down and perform a fine search, following the increasing signal strength. When you are very close, you will be able to follow the directional arrow and pinpoint the exact location of the signal.

Probing and Shoveling:

1. Probe Line: Once you have pinpointed the location with your transceiver, begin probing in a systematic line, using the distance between probe strikes to make sure the entire area has been covered.
2. Shoveling: Once you find the victim with your probe, begin shoveling. Start uphill from the probe strike, and try to use a v-shaped shoveling pattern in order to move snow quickly.
3. Clear the Airway First: When you reach the victim, clear their airway immediately and administer first aid if needed.
4. Continue Digging: Dig out the victim completely and move them to safety.

Call For Help:

• Contact Emergency Services: As soon as possible, contact emergency services or local rescue teams using your communication device.
• Provide Accurate Information: Give them the location, number of victims, and the current status of those involved, as well as any other important information they might require.
• Be Patient: Remain calm and patient while waiting for help to arrive. Continue to care for the victims until they are safely evacuated.

After the Avalanche: Continued Safety

Even after the immediate rescue is complete, it’s crucial to remain cautious and prioritize safety.

• Evaluate the Situation: Assess the stability of the remaining snowpack and whether further avalanches are possible. Be cautious of nearby slopes that might be unstable.
• Treat Injuries: Attend to any injuries, providing first aid as needed. If necessary, arrange for further medical attention.
• Avoid Further Risk: If possible, avoid traveling in avalanche terrain, and wait for conditions to stabilize.
• Learn From the Experience: Carefully reflect on what occurred and use it as a learning experience for the future.

Conclusion

Avalanche survival is a complex undertaking that requires knowledge, training, and proper gear. While avoiding avalanches is always the best strategy, understanding how to react when caught in one can significantly improve your chances of survival. By following the steps outlined in this guide, practicing your skills, and continually learning about the dynamics of avalanches, you can significantly increase your safety while enjoying the backcountry.

Remember, backcountry travel comes with inherent risks. Be prepared, stay informed, and always prioritize safety over ambition.