Updated 17/11/23 (awaiting any update from Kingsley)
AVALANCHE
Safety is paramount. Assess the safety of the accident site before committing rescuers.
Locate the casualty as quickly as possible, the chance of survival drops rapidly. Organised rescue teams have 90-120 minutes to save victims with a closed air pocket, using transceivers, probes & dogs.
Dig diagonally down to the casualty from the downhill side.
Rapidly clear the snow from around the face, note the presence or absence of an air pocket & whether the airway is clear of obstruction.
Look for the presence of injuries incompatible with life.
Globally most deaths due to avalanche result from asphyxia, trauma & hypothermia are less common. However in the Lake District where we generally lack a deep snow pack trauma injuries are likely to be the main cause of death.
The response to an avalanche is split into several phases.
The First 15 Minutes
The survival phase; use eyes, ears & transceivers to locate the casualty, 90% survive if excavated by people present on the scene in this period.
15 To 35 Minutes
The asphyxia phase; the survival rate drops rapidly to 34% by the end of this period. This is primarily due to asphyxia as the air in the pocket around the casualty runs out.
Treatment of Casualties Buried For Less Than 35 minutes
Condition is probably a result of asphyxia & trauma.
Rapidly extricate & assess the casualty using ABC approach.
If the casualty shows no signs of life & does not respond to CPR carried out for 15 mins, they can be pronounced dead.
Ideally record core temp greater than 35C & asystole on an ECG
35 To 90 Minutes
The latent phase; these casualties have an air pocket around the nose & mouth which keeps them alive. The casualty will be feeling the effects of hypothermia. Over time the air pocket will freeze up and the casualty will run out of air.
Greater Than 90 Minutes
Triple-H phase: hypothermia, hypercarbia & hypoxia start to take their toll, chance of survival is extremely small after 120 minutes.
Treatment of Casualties Buried For Longer Than 35 minutes
Hypothermia is likely to be a major factor in their condition:
Handle gently with minimal manipulation of the limbs.
Dig as big a hole as necessary, start oxygen & ECG monitoring asap & insulate as well as possible.
Casualty can collapse during extrication & transport, be prepared to start CPR.
If the casualty shows no signs of life but had an air pocket & clear airways, manage the casualty with prolonged CPR & urgent evacuation as per severe (stage IV) hypothermia.
If no air pocket is found or airway is blocked CPR can be abandoned. Ideally asystole on ECG.
Organising A Search
Essential Kit
Additional Resources
Avalanche Infographic