ThinkWINTER: Avalanche rescue | Mountaineering Scotland

ThinkWINTER

ThinkWINTER: Avalanche rescue

Photo by Duncan Gray

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

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

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.

This series of videos from Glenmore Lodge examines techniques for searching with avalanche transceiver and probes and for digging for different burial depths.

The avalanche probe is the main tool used in searching avalanche debris for buried victims. This video shows how a search should be conducted.

It's vital that a buried avalanche victim is uncovered as quickly as possible. This video shows where to start digging when your probe reveals a casualty close to the surface, and explains how to dig for maximum speed and efficiency.

If the probe shows the casualty is deeply buried, you should adopt a different approach to avoid disturbing any air pockets and to reach the person as quickly as possible.

Two people can make lighter work of digging out a casualty, but only if they work together efficiently. This video shows how to dig as a team for faster results.