J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

http://www.lenouvelliste.ch/fr/valais/sion/avalanche-au-col-de-la-mouche-chassoure-497-1090360

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.

Admin wrote:

Iceman wrote:In the event that you are caught in one, what is the best thing to do to extend the golden 15 minutes?

All the below assumes you've been caught and buried - your best chance of survival is to avoid being avalanched in the first place. Airbags have a good record of keeping people on the surface but they're not infallible - I hear from bandit that an airbag-equipped skier was killed today. :(

There was an avalanche death last week of last season The guy had an airbag and it worked so he didn't get buried but still died from his injuries.

Iceman wrote:I was watching the programme that was on BBC last night "10 things you didn't know about avalanches". It was really interesting, however there was one thing that made me think:

"In the majority of cases, if you are not found within 15 minutes of being buried you are likely to die from asphyxiation (white death)"

If this is in fact true, are the RECCO type devices of any use? By the time that people have identified that you are missing and the search & rescue team have found you surely your 15 minutes will be up and they are likely to find a corpse?

I know the 15 minute rule may vary, but even if it is double - it is not a long time from when an avalanche happens to when you are found?

In the event that you are caught in one, what is the best thing to do to extend the golden 15 minutes?

I don't think there is a way to "extend" these 15 min other than by a pure luck - some avalanche victims survived after being buried for hours breathing through air pockets in the snow. Then there is also a danger of hypothermia from extended burial. Still there is no even guarantee that the victim will be alive when the snow stops as about 20% die from injuries.

Vin Chaud on slopes. We also carry a flask with either branca mentha or fernet branca for emergencies.

Yes, it does.

Dids1 wrote:This may have beem said in a previous post, but they are so long to go back over.
Is it possivle to hire appropriate gear for a week to save the cost of purchase and transport?
I did see you will be provided with it you hire a guide.

Yes, you can hire transceiver, shovel and probe and save on purchase costs, but transporting costs are negligible, you just throw everything in your suitcase -it won't even add much weight.

Avalanche death in Verbier, 19.12.2012 Started by User in Avalanche Safety, 3 Replies
http://www.lenouvelliste.ch/fr/valais/sion/avalanche-au-col-de-la-mouche-chassoure-497-1090360

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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.

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Vin Chaud on slopes. We also carry a flask with either branca mentha or fernet branca for emergencies.

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Yes, it does.

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Messages posted by : verbier_ski_bum