Item: Avalanche Rescue Systems in Switzerland: Experience and Limitations
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Title: Avalanche Rescue Systems in Switzerland: Experience and Limitations
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2000 International Snow Science Workshop, October 1-6, Big Sky, Montana
Authors:
- Frank Tschirky [ Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
- Bernhard Brabec [ Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
- Martin Kern [ Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, CH-7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland ]
Date: 2000
Abstract: The current study is concerned with the influence of transceiver and avalanche balloon devices on the survival probability of people caught by avalanches. From 1936 to 1999, 1592 people have been killed by avalanches in Switzerland. The data of avalanche incidents in the years 1980 to 1999 has been extensively analyzed. These investigations result in a mortality rate of completely buried people of about 50%. Considering the total number of people caught by an avalanche, the mortality rate is approximately 13%. If people are not completely buried, or if at least parts of their body or equipment are visible on the surface of the avalanche debris, they have the best chances of survival. There is a strong correlation between mean burial time and the probability to survive an avalanche incident: The mean burial time of people who were completely buried and survived the avalanche incident is about 11 minutes, where the mean burial time of people killed by an avalanche is 120 minutes. For this reason, a reduction of burial time by fast transceiver search or even avoiding burial by using an avalanche airbag device has to be achieved to increase the survival probability. The results of the current work confirm this statement.
Object ID: issw-2000-369-376.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: avalanche accident, avalanche incident, avalanche accident statistics, avalanche beacon, transceiver device, avalanche balloon, avalanche airbag (abs)
Page Number(s): 369-376
Subjects: avalanche rescue systems balloon devices fatalities
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