Avalanche Survival Times

On some of the Avalanches that I have seen on film it seems that you have to survive the rocks that get picked up as the Avalanche picks up momentum. For what I have heard and read it seems that you have approx. 15 mins to be found.

Basically, provided the victim is still alive when the snow stops she has 90% chance of survival if found within 15 min, after that chance of survival falls dramatically.

I'll try and stay on the original title of this thread or we could write about this forever....

Most people who die in avalanches die from Asphyxiation (not suffocation which is slightly different). In essence there is enough air in snow (often >90%) to breathe forever. However, because you exhale warm breath a thin layer of condensation forms in the snowpack. This freezes, and then you choke on your own fumes. It's a bit like putting a goldfish bowl over your head.

If dug out within the first 15 minutes you have a 90-92% chance of survival (assuming you're not already dead from trauma). After 30 minutes this has dropped to around 30-35% survival rate.

What I would now like to add now is that the 15 minute period also includes:

Getting to the avalanche site.
Doing a transceiver search (possibly over a massive area).
Doing a pinpoint search and probing to locate the victim.
Digging out the victim. NB - If they are 1m below the surface you will have to excavate around 1 tonne of snow !!!

Still think you could do that in 15 minutes ? Only if you are well trained, well equipped and fit.

Stay safe out there everyone