Find air, stay calm… what to do if you're stuck under an avalanche ?

Under an avalanche ? Find air and stay calm…

Nine during the winter of 2021-2022, 40 the previous one then 12 in 2019-2020… the number of deaths by avalanche appears to vary greatly from one year to the next in France. Reminder of the main safety rules and the behavior to adopt – as much as possible – if you find yourself buried!

In our country, "avalanches mainly affect people practicing recreational activities: off-piste, hiking, mountaineering, open slopes", reports the National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches (ANENA). Which has drawn up an exhaustive assessment of the situation every year since its creation in 1971.

Generally speaking, from the rescue point of view, "we must act quickly", poses without surprise Sandrine Gioani, ski patroller-rescuer, assistant to the person in charge of the Arcs slopes. And for good reason, everything is decided during the first quarter of an hour! According to studies, a victim freed in less than 20 minutes has a 90% chance of survival. Within 35 minutes, the rate drops drastically to 35%…

Essential DVA…

"When you are buried", she continues, " The instruction is first of all and depending on the possibilities of course, to try to keep a pocket of air in front of the mouth. For example, by placing your hands around your lips". In the same way, "it is imperative to remain calm and not waste energy unnecessarily, while waiting for help&amp ;quot;. With the difficulty, it must be remembered, that a buried person does not always know how to determine where they are in relation to the surface.

Note that the chances of survival also depend on your own equipment. In this case, if you plan to go off-piste, take your avalanche victim detector or DVA with you. "Before leaving", reminds Sandrine Gioani, "position it well in & lsquo;broadcast’ on the one hand. And do a group test on the other hand, to make sure it works well". The emergency services put it in ‘reception’ mode. Finally, she insists, "there’of course there is no question of leaving alone…" For the good and simple reason that in the event of an accident, your companions will probably be your saviors!