Avalanche: saving yourself and others

If caught

In most avalanche situations, any defensive action is very difficult. Movement relative to the debris is often impossible.

However, some of the following may be useful:

• Try to delay departure by plunging an ice axe into the under-surface. This may help to keep you near the top of the slide
• Shout. Others may see you
• Try to run to the side, or jump up-slope above the fracture
• If hard slab, try to remain on top of a block
• Get rid of gear, sacks, skis etc
• Try to roll like a log, off the debris
• Swimming motions sometimes help
• As the avalanche slows down, you may be able to get some purchase on the debris. Make a desperate effort to get to the surface, or at least get a hand through

If buried

• Keep one hand in front of your face and try to clear and or maintain an air space
• Try to maintain space for chest expansion by taking and holding a deep breath
• Try to avoid panic and conserve energy. Your companions are probably searching for you

Avalanche rescue

If you witness an avalanche burial:

• Observe the victim's progress and if possible mark the point of entry and point at where the victim was last seen
• Check for further avalanche danger
• Make a QUICK SEARCH of the debris surface
• LOOK for any signs of victims
• LISTEN for any sounds
• PROBE the most likely burial spots
• Make a SYSTEMATIC SEARCH, probing the debris with axes or poles
• Send for help
• KEEP SEARCHING until help arrives
• REMEMBER YOU ARE THE BURIED VICTIM'S ONLY REAL CHANCE OF LIVE RESCUE. Although survival chances decline rapidly with duration of burial, they do not reach zero for a long time.