Item: A Comparison of Avalanche Survival Patterns in Canada and Switzerland
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Title: A Comparison of Avalanche Survival Patterns in Canada and Switzerland
Proceedings: 2010 International Snow Science Workshop
Authors:
- Pascal Haegeli [ Avisualanche Consulting, Vancouver BC, Canada ] [ Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada ]
- Markus Falk [ Inova Q Inc., Bruneck/Brunico, Italy ]
- Hermann Brugger [ EURAC Institute of Mountain Emergenc y Medicine, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy ] [ International Commission of Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom) ]
- Hans-Jürg Etter [ WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ] [ International Commission for Avalanche Rescue (ICAR ARC) ]
- Jeff Boyd [ International Commission of Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom) ] [ Emergency Department, Mineral Sp rings Hospital, Banff, AB, Canada ] [ Canadian Mountain Holiday s, Banff, AB, Canada ]
Date: 2010
Abstract: The survival pattern of completely buried individuals in open terrain has been depicted in the avalanche survival curve, which displays probability of survival as a function of burial time (Falk et al., 1994). The characteristics of this original survival curve, based solely on data from Switzerland, have provided important conceptual background for the effective medical management of avalanche victims in the field (Brugger et al., 2001) and the use of avalanche safety devices (Brugger et al., 2007). However, a recent review of Canadian avalanche fatalities by Boyd et al. (2009) has shown that there are considerable differences in the causes of death between Canada and Europe (Hohlrieder et al., 2007), which questions the universal validity of the existing survival curve and the derived recommendations. In this first ever comparative study of avalanche survival we show that there are significant differences between the survival curves of Switzerland and Canada, which are associated with differences in the prevalence of trauma, variations in snow climate, and in the characteristics of local rescue regimes. The results of our study strongly highlight the potential influence of local conditions on avalanche survival in general and provide useful background information for the management of avalanche victims in Canada. Despite advances in avalanche rescue equipment and medical treatment of avalanche victims, the best approach for the prevention of avalanche fatalities remains through the promotion of awareness, education and caution.
Object ID: ISSW_O-059.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche survival, asphyxia, trauma, snow climate, rescue regime
Page Number(s): 302-303
Subjects: survival patterns avalanche snow climate
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