Burial duration, depth and air pocket explain avalanche survival patterns in Austria and Switzerland

Procter, Emily; Strapazzon, Giacomo; Cappello, Tomas Dal; Zweifel, Benjamin; Würtele, Andreas; Renner, Andreas; Falk, Markus; Brugger, Hermann

doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.06.001

Cited by 49 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In avalanche accidents, it is usually a member of the victims group, if not the victim themselves, who triggers the avalanche (Zweifel and Haegeli, 2014 ). Furthermore, participants knew that having a partner who is able to rescue them from an avalanche quickly is crucial for survival, as highest survival rates were found in victims who were rescued within the first 15 min of burial time (Procter et al, 2016 ). Thus, it is important that freeriders choose the right partner(s); participants in this study reported this as part of their risk-management strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Approach on Motives and Aspects of Risks in Freeriding

et al. 2017

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Recent research has shown that there are multiple motives for participation in high-risk sport; however these results have come from studies that consider a number of different sports. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to better understand the motives and risk-related aspects of freeriding, using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 professional and semi-professional freeride skiers and snowboarders. All freeriders were highly experienced, of different age (19–44 years; 27.5 ± 4.5 years), gender (female = 13), and profession (professional athletes = 11). Analyses were done using MAXQDA software following a code theme approach. Mixed methods analyses using χ2-tests were computed for age (<25 years ≥) and gender (female/male) on motives and risk factors. Five emerging themes were found, namely Challenge (n = 36), Friends (n = 31), Nature (n = 27), Balance (n = 26), and Freedom (n = 26). A sixth theme Habit (n = 13) was allocated as a subtheme due to minor responses. With regard to risk management, participants decided upon a risk calculation strategy which included multiple factors (e.g., planning, conditions, current situation, knowledge, and experience). Trusting in one's own abilities, avoiding negative fear and having trusted partners were among the risk factors. Deliberately seeking out dangerous situations was not a motive. χ2-tests revealed no gender or age differences regarding aspects of risk (range of p-scores: p = 0.17–1.00) or motives (p = 0.16–1.00). Freeriding was shown to provide positive effects through participation. Some important factors seem to be motivational drivers for freeriders: challenging oneself, experiencing nature, contributing to deep friendships, freeriding as a counterbalance to everyday life and escape from restrictions. Contrary to prior research reports on sensation seeking, experienced freeriders do not search the risk; they seem to minimize it based on knowledge and experience. Analyses of the present data did not show any gender or age differences, which may suggest that experience plays a more important role in high-risk sports than age or gender. Future research should qualitatively investigate further terrain based activities and implement motives and risk-related factors in quantitative research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Approach on Motives and Aspects of Risks in Freeriding

et al. 2017

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“…Although ski tourers being alone did not show a higher risk propensity compared to persons in large groups [64], it is recommended to conduct ski tours with one or more partners to reduce fatalities connected with avalanche burial. Partner rescue is crucial for survival, since the highest survival rates of avalanche victims were found within the first 15 min after burial [65]. Well-targeted and intensive training programs concerning avalanche hazards seem urgently needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review

Niedermeier

Gatterer

Pocecco

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Annually, millions of people engage in mountain sports activities all over the world. These activities are associated with health benefits, but concurrently with a risk for injury and death. Knowledge on death rates is considered important for the categorization of high-risk sports in literature and for the development of effective preventive measures. The death risk has been reported to vary across different mountain sports primarily practiced in the summer season. To complete the spectrum, the aim of the present review is to compare mortality rates across different mountain sports activities primarily practiced in winter. A comprehensive literature search was performed on the death risk (mortality) during such activities, i.e., alpine (downhill) skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski touring, and sledging. With the exception of ski touring (4.4 deaths per 1 million exposure days), the mortality risk was low across different winter sports, with small activity-specific variation (0.3–0.8 deaths per 1 million exposure days). Traumatic (e.g., falls) and non-traumatic (e.g., cardiac death) incidents and avalanche burial in ski tourers were the predominant causes of death. Preventive measures include the improvement of sport-specific skills and fitness, the use of protective gear, well-targeted and intensive training programs concerning avalanche hazards, and sports-medical counseling for elderly and those with pre-existing diseases.

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“…Über lebensphase). Anschließend fällt sie rasch ab und liegt nach 35-minütiger Verschüttungsdauer bei nur mehr 30 % [2,3]. Grund hierfür ist in der Regel eine Asphyxie durch Verlegung der Atemwege mit kompaktem Schnee.…”

Section: Verschüttungsdauer Und Offenheit Der Atemwegeunclassified

Medizinische Aspekte bei Lawinenunfällen – ein Update

et al. 2017

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ZusammenfassungLawinenunfälle haben eine durchschnittliche Mortalität von 25 %. Vier Faktoren sind ausschlaggebend für das Überleben der Opfer: Ausmaß und Dauer der Verschüttung, ein offener Atemweg und die Schwere der erlittenen Verletzungen. Dieser Artikel liefert eine Übersicht über pathophysiologische Aspekte der Lawinenverschüttung sowie die aktuellen Empfehlungen für die präklinische und innerklinische Behandlung von Lawinenopfern. Das European Resuscitation Council ERC hat klare und bindende Empfehlungen für die medizinische Versorgung herausgegeben. ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support), das heißt die Behandlung von Lawinenopfern mittels aktiv-invasiven Aufwärmmethoden, ist indiziert, wenn die Verschüttungsdauer mehr als 60 Minuten, die Kerntemperatur < 30°, das Kalium < 8mmol/l ist und ein offener Atemweg vorhanden war. Zusätzlich haben die Schwere der Verletzungen und eine gut funktionierende Rettungskette einen gewichtigen Einfluss auf das Überleben der Opfer. Eine Lawinencheckliste wurde entwickelt, um die Entscheidungsfindung prähospital zu vereinfachen und die Übergabe an die klinisch tätigen Teams zu optimieren.

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Burial duration, depth and air pocket explain avalanche survival patterns in Austria and Switzerland

Cited by 49 publications

References 13 publications

A Qualitative Approach on Motives and Aspects of Risks in Freeriding

A Qualitative Approach on Motives and Aspects of Risks in Freeriding

Mortality in Different Mountain Sports Activities Primarily Practiced in the Winter Season—A Narrative Review

Medizinische Aspekte bei Lawinenunfällen – ein Update

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