Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Avalanche
- Suffocation is the biggest threat when buried in an avalanche. Even when a small pocket of air is available, your own exhaled carbon dioxide can quickly cause you to suffocate.
- Only 50% of avalanche victims that are completely buried are recovered alive. Finding an avalanche victim that is completely buried is a race against time. If found in the first five minutes there is a 90% chance of survival. This drops to just 30% after 30 minutes, and only 5% after two hours.
- If you are in a panic this will serve only to increase your breathing and accelerate the suffocation process – think relaxing thoughts!
- Carry a radio beacon. It's the best way to ensure you are found.
