23 percent of all avalanche accidents are fatal. At first glance, the chance of survival seems relatively high. But after 15 minutes it quickly drops.
It starts with a soft crackle, a barely perceptible shaking under the masses of snow. Then the avalanche high in the Alps begins its powerful, deadly ballet and takes everything down with it.
Only on Tuesday did such a natural spectacle take place in Tyrol near Bärenkopf, where a six-member hiking group was buried under a glacier avalanche. A 19 year old lost his life.
Another avalanche occurred in Tyrol on Thursday, resulting in several deaths. A Dutch tour group was buried under the snow.
The early summer temperatures melt the snow up there and the risk of so-called wet snow avalanches increases rapidly. At first glance, the chances of surviving an avalanche accident are quite high. After all, according to statistics, only 23 percent end fatally. While the mortality rate for partially buried avalanche victims is around four percent, it is significantly higher at 52.4 for fully buried avalanche victims.
Hands in front of face
According to experts, the chance of survival decreases discontinuously the longer the burial lasts. After 15 to 20 minutes there is a steep drop in the survival curve. For every second without oxygen, the brain is at risk of more damage. If the interruption lasts longer, damage occurs to the brain tissue and brain cells are irreparably destroyed. The damage can be so severe that the brain no longer functions at all. And this happens after more than five minutes without oxygen: the brain cells begin to die.
So what’s the best way to respond if you’re caught in an avalanche? It would be optimal to have your hands close to your face. The basic requirement for survival in the first stage is clear airways. The presence of a breathing cavity is an additional plus, which can be created by placing your hands in front of your face.
Be careful when recovering
New analyzes also show that snow density also plays a role in avalanche accidents, especially in continental climates such as the Alps. Experience from the Alps shows that chances of survival decrease more quickly in spring with wet snow. In addition, deaths have increased as winter sports enthusiasts increasingly travel on steep and rocky terrain.
It is recommended that avalanche victims who have been buried for more than 60 minutes and have a core temperature of less than 30 degrees be carefully rescued and, above all, treated to prevent hypothermia. Victims of hypothermic cardiac arrest have a better chance of survival during and after resuscitation. Ideally, the warm-up should take place in a clinic with a heart-lung machine.
For severely hypothermic avalanche victims, resuscitation can be temporarily interrupted during transport to facilitate rescue from difficult terrain.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
