So there we were enjoying our time at a mountain ski resort, us skiing and Joey on his trusty sled, when suddenly a loud rumble came from above. We looked up and saw skiers rushing down the slope with a huge mass of snow falling right behind them. It’s an avalanche! What now?
Of course this is just my imagination going wild but this is something that actually happens in real life. In fact, avalanches kill an estimated 150 people each year. That’s a small figure compared to earthquakes or hurricanes but one life lost to such an unfortunate disaster is one too many.
If you’re planning a ski trip on a snow-capped mountain, remember these tips on how to not cause and avalanche and to survive if ever you’re caught in one. And if you’re wondering about little Joey, well, he’s a fast runner but he’ll need all the help he can get to survive an avalanche.
Precautionary Measures
The first thing you must understand is that avalanches are caused by the victim or someone close to the victim 90% of the time. Before putting on your skis, survey your surroundings. Check out the snow conditions to see if it’s okay to go down the slope.
Avalanche Beacon
You must also bring the right gear or equipment that will help you survive an avalanche. An avalanche beacon, for example, is a must-have for those climbing up a snow-covered mountain or terrain.
This is especially important if you’re planning to go down a slope. If things go wrong and you’re buried by snow, the beacon will show the others where you are.
Proper Attire
It may seem pretty obvious to you that one should wear the weather-appropriate attire when you’re going on a ski trip. But remember, there are people who like to ski or snowboard with as few clothes as possible. Skiing and snowboarding in the nude or in a bikini may be trendy but it’s also unsafe. If you get buried in snow, hypothermia will kick in faster than you can say, “What the heck was I thinking!”
Wear lots of waterproof (not cotton) layers if you wish to survive an avalanche. Other items that will protect you from the cold include socks, neckwarmers, beanies, and gloves.
Don’t forget your goggles and helmet. They will protect your eyes and head, respectively, as you are violently thrown around by an avalanche.
Avalanche-Specific Survival Gear
The AvaLung Element from Black Diamond is an apparatus that lets you get fresh air from a snowpack such as the Alias AvaLung Pack. An exhaust port directs carbon dioxide away from you when you exhale.
Evading An Avalanche
Act Fast
Hopefully, you have the reflexes of a star-nosed mole so you can quickly get out of the way once an avalanche starts. But unless you were bitten by a radioactive mole or your name is Barry Allen, there’ll always be the danger of being crushed by an avalanche.
Jump Up the Slope
You should always be wary of what’s happening under you. Once you feel the snow falling from right under you, jump upslope. You don’t want to be caught in the slide. If you are able to jump upslope and away from where the snow broke off, you have a better chance of avoiding the avalanche.
Go Sideways
If you managed to evade the initial onslaught of killer snow, you just need to put your Fast and the Furious mode on and speed away from the avalanche. You must remember, though, not to ski straight down. The most dangerous place to be in during an avalanche, aside from being under it, is being right in front of its center. The snow here moves the fastest so there’s a higher chance of being engulfed if you stay in the middle. The right thing to do is to move sideways.
Hold On for Dear Life
It may not be as easy as it sounds but you should be able to know if the avalanche is a big or small one. If it’s the latter, one option you can do is to grab onto something. A smaller slide will hopefully not knock down the tree you’re holding for dear life on. If you were able to hold on and maintain your position while you were being buried by snow, you will know which side is up. In other words, you avoid being disoriented.
Stay On Top
When everything else fails and you’re being dragged by the snow, you must release your inner Michael Phelps for you to survive an avalanche. Do your best to stay on top of the sliding snow by “swimming.” Swim to stay afloat or on top of the snow and try as hard as you can to keep your head up. If possible, swim on your back. This will make it easier for you to reach out for air.
Put Your Hand Up
Aside from “swimming,” you should also keep one arm above your head. If you get buried, there’s a chance that your raised arm will stick out of the snow. This will help rescuers find you.
What to Do When You’re Trapped Under Snow
Spit Out Then Punch Up
If you failed to keep your arm up, you need to know which way is up or towards the surface of the snow. As gross as it may seem, you have to let your saliva do the task for you. Spit out a small amount and see which way your saliva goes. If it trickles down your chin, then you need to punch your arm up through the snow.
Dig Around Your Face
When the avalanche stops, the snow will start to become more compact. Wriggle your hands and arms free before this happens. You will need them to dig a pocket around our face so you can breathe. Even a small pocket of space will help you last for 30 minutes.
Make sure you take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds. Doing so will expand your chest and provide you with a little breathing room before the snow becomes as compact as concrete.
Conserve Air
If it’s possible to dig your way out, go ahead and do so. However, you must be careful not to ruin your small air pocket. If digging is not an option, stay still and conserve air and energy.
If you know of other tips and tricks to survive an avalanche, please go ahead and share them in the comments section. They will be greatly appreciated.
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