Item: Avalanche Air Space Physiology
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Title: Avalanche Air Space Physiology
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1998 International Snow Science Workshop, Sunriver, Oregon
Authors:
- Martin I. Radwin
- Lany Keyes
- Donna L. Radwin
Date: 1998
Abstract: International data on avalanche burial survival strongly suggests acute asphyxia as the predominant early premortal pathophysiological event. We studied air space volumes in horizontally buried victims at 8,000 ft. using standard oximetry to determine rate of de-saturation in both closed (plastic bowls) and open (colanders) systems to assess the contribution of the oxygen content in the surrounding snow. The air spaces were packed tightly around the devices to avoid extraneous tracts. The O2Saturation end point was selected to be 79% which correlates to an acclimatized p02 of about 50 at 8,000 ft. The snow density was determined to be 296 - 310 kg/em3. Air space volumes included: 3900cc, 1700ee and 1000ee bowls in the closed system and 700ee, 150cc colanders in the open system. O2Sats were recorded from time zero, when a small caliber external breathing tube was clamped to the buried subject at baseline O2sat. The larger the volume air space, the longer time to lethal desaturation and asphyxia. Also, surprisingly, a significant quantity of oxygen is extracted from the surrounding high density snow involved in avalanche debris burials, causing a slowerdecay in oxygenation and survival. This phenomenon probably contributes to the prolonged survival during the plateau phase. Eventually, hypercapnea along with hypoxia and conversion to a closed system by the development of frozen face masks, eventuates in late asphyxia.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: avalanche rescue, snow density
Page Number(s): 296
Subjects: avalanche rescue avalanche burials air space
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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