Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Respond during the first few seconds
• Part 2 of 3: Surviving when buried in snow
• Part 3 of 3: Increasing your chances of survival
• Tips
• Warnings

Picture this: you are enjoying the pure mountain air and the fresh powder snow, when suddenly the ground starts to tear below you. If you're in an avalanche zone, you'd better know how to act - and quickly - or you could be under a few tons of snow in under a minute. There are many precautions you can take to avoid triggering an avalanche yourself, but if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, here's what you should do.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Respond during the first few seconds

1. Jump up the ramp. Most avalanche victims trigger the avalanche themselves, and sometimes the avalanche starts just below their feet. In this case, try to jump up the slope, past the fault line. An avalanche happens so quickly that it is almost impossible to react quickly enough to do it. Yet some have managed to do that.
2. Go to the side of the avalanche. Whether the avalanche starts above or below you, you may be able to move yourself to the side. Don't hesitate: get to the side of the avalanche slope as quickly as possible. If the avalanche started way above you, you may be able to get out of the way before it reaches you. The snow will move fastest near the center of the stream, which is also where the greatest amount of snow is located.
3. Let go of heavy equipment. You need to make sure your body is as light as possible, so let go of your things, but keep your backpack - it could protect your neck and back. All of this will increase the chances that you will be able to stay toward the surface of the snow.
   • It goes without saying that you should not let go of survival equipment such as a transceiver and probe or snow shovel; you need these when you are buried.
   • People who will look for you later may be able to find you if they can see something on the surface of the snow, so you could let go of a glove or something else that is light and increase the chance of being found.
4. Hold on to something. If you can't escape the avalanche, try grabbing hold of a rock or sturdy tree. If it is a small avalanche, or if you are near the edge of the avalanche, you might be able to hold out until the snow stream slips past you. Even if you get snatched from the object you're holding, if you manage to slow your departure downhill, you have a better chance of not being buried or, at least, of not being buried so deep.
   • Keep in mind that a very powerful avalanche can take even large rocks and trees.
5. Start swimming. This is necessary to help you stay close to the surface of the snow. The human body is much more compact than snow, so you will tend to sink while being carried down. Try to stay afloat by kicking your feet and slapping your arms in a swimming motion.
   • Swim on your back. This way, your face will be turned to the surface, giving you a better chance of getting oxygen faster if you are buried.
   • Swim uphill. Swimming brings you closer to the surface of the snow.

Part 2 of 3: Surviving when buried in snow

1. Hold one arm out over your head. It should be directed towards the snow surface. This will help you figure out what the top is as it is easy to get disoriented once buried. It can also help counselors find you. Spitting out a small amount of saliva can also help you figure out which is the top, as the liquid will fall down.
2. Dig a bag around your face. Once the avalanche stops, snow will settle as heavy as concrete. If you are buried deeper than about 12 inches, it will be impossible to get out on your own. Your only hope, then, is to fight off choking long enough so they can dig you out.
   • Use your free hand or an avalanche shovel to dig an air pocket near your nose and mouth when the avalanche slows down. With a small air pocket to exhale, you should have enough air to last for at least another 30 minutes.
   • Take a deep breath before the snow settles. Just before the snow settles, take a deep breath and hold your breath for a few seconds. This causes your chest to expand, giving you room to breathe when the snow gets hard around you. If you don't have this breathing space, you may not even be able to expand your chest to breathe while buried.
3. Save air and energy. Try to move as soon as the snow settles, but don't endanger your air pocket. If you are very close to the surface you may be able to dig your way out, but if not, you will have to stay there. Don't waste your precious breath fighting the snow. Keep calm and wait to be saved.
   • If you hear someone nearby, try to shout, but stop if you notice they can't hear you. You can probably hear them better than vice versa, and yelling just wastes your limited air supply.
4. Wait for the rescuers to come. If you went out with an avalanche transceiver and probe, and so did your fellow skiers, someone will definitely be able to find you and dig you out. Keep calm and wait.

Part 3 of 3: Increasing your chances of survival

1. Take always survival equipment and in case of risk of avalanches. Never go out without it. There are a few devices that can significantly reduce the risk of death in an avalanche. Invest in the following items:
   • An avalanche transceiver and probe. The beeper gives a signal to indicate where the person is buried and the probe is used to locate the person so that digging can start right away. Everyone in your party should have both devices with them.
   • A small shovel. This is used to dig an air pocket around the face.
   • A helmet. Many avalanche-related fatalities happen from the first impact of the snow knocking people off their feet.
   • Avalanche airbags have become more popular in recent years. They help keep your body towards the surface of the snow so you are less likely to get buried.
2. Take an avalanche course. Avalanches happen so often that many organizations provide intensive training to coach skiers and snowboarders on how to avoid avalanches and save themselves and each other. If you are going to an avalanche zone, it is worth taking one of these courses.

Tips

• If you get into an avalanche and feel like peeing, do so. While this can make you feel uncomfortable, rescue dogs use scent to locate a victim while searching in the snow - so urine can be a very helpful tool in these situations.
• If you are buried in a remote area and you are sure there is no one around to dig you out, your only chance of survival is to do it yourself. It can be difficult to know what the top is, so if you see some light try digging for it. If you can see your breath, dig in the direction it is going up.
• Pay attention to weather reports and consult forest rangers and others who are aware of local conditions and where avalanches occur. Never assume an area will be safe - always do this beforehand.
• Once you're buried in an avalanche it's hard to tell which way is up or down! If you don't know, use your spit. Gravity will let you know what's up and what's down!
• Often it is not possible to dump your skis before you are buried in the snow. If that doesn't work, don't worry; this can sometimes work in your favor. There are many cases where victims were quickly found because a piece of ski protruded above the surface.
• Take the avalanche survival training if you are going to an area known to be an avalanche zone. Make sure you bring the correct safety equipment with you during your trip.
• When you breathe under snow, the moisture in your breath forms an ice layer in the air pocket. Save your breath.

Warnings

• Once you get caught in an avalanche, survival is often a matter of luck. The only sure way to survive an avalanche is to avoid one. Learn how to do that.