Scientists explain why more people survive under avalanches compared to a decade ago

Scientists say more people are surviving avalanches now than four decades ago. Researchers studied records of avalanche survival in Switzerland published between 1981 and 2020.

The new study shows that since 1990, the overall survival rate in avalanches in Switzerland has increased from 43.5% to 53.4%. This means that about 10 people out of every 100 victims are saved, LiveScience reports.

According to experts, avalanches can kill in several ways. Most people caught in snowflows die from injuries, suffocation, or hypothermia. Time is of the essence – most of the survivors were rescued within the first few minutes after being buried by an avalanche.

The first in-depth studies of avalanche survival were published 30 years ago and focused on incidents in the Swiss Alps. Back then, less than half of the people survived. However, since the 1990s, experts have developed more reliable ways to predict avalanches, as well as new technologies to improve the chances of finding people from under the snow faster.

A new study that detailed records of avalanche survival in Switzerland between 1981 and 2020 found that more than 7,000 people were caught in avalanches during those four decades, including 1,643 people who were "in critical condition."

"If a person caught in an avalanche stays on the surface or is only partially buried, with their head and chest exposed, the survival rate is over 90%. However, when the head and chest are completely buried, the chances of survival drop to 53%," said Dr. Hermann Brugger, co-author of the study and founder of the Institute for Mountain Emergency Medicine in Bolzano, Italy.

Since 1990, however, the overall survival rate in avalanches in Switzerland has risen from 43.5% to 53.4%, the researchers say.

This may seem like a low survival rate, but it's time that makes all the difference. People buried for less than 10 minutes survived 91% of the time, but their chances dropped to 76% after five minutes. And if the time of burial under the snow increased to 30 minutes, 1 in 3 people survived.

"After 10 minutes of being buried under the snow, the victim begins to suffer from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and hypercapnia (accumulation of carbon dioxide). The exhaled carbon dioxide accumulates in the surrounding snow, reaching toxic levels, which is then inhaled again by the victim," explained Dr. Brugger.

According to the researchers, people traveling in groups have a better chance of survival. After all, those who are not covered in snow can help others during this crucial 10-minute window, the researchers say.

According to scientists, the survival rate during avalanches has also increased due to improved medical care, more thorough training of rescuers, and new technologies for searching for avalanche victims.

The authors of the study explain that the new technology has digital transceivers that broadcast the victim's location and portable radar reflectors that can be checked from portable detectors or the air.

Hermann Brugger emphasized that the best advice for all mountain tourism enthusiasts is to avoid situations where you might encounter an avalanche. He suggested carefully reviewing the weather forecast and the current "avalanche hazard scale".

"Carry appropriate safety equipment, including an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and possibly an avalanche airbag that can be deployed during an avalanche to increase the size of the person and make it harder to bury them. When you are facing an avalanche, the priority is to protect your airway, so try to cover your mouth and nose with your hands. And finally, never go alone," Dr. Brugger emphasized.

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