Avalanche rescue | Mountaineering Scotland (2024)

Table of Contents

If caught If buried Avalanche rescue Avalanche search

If caught

In most avalanche situations, any defensive action is very difficult. Movement relative to the debris is often impossible.

However, some of the following may be useful:

Try to delay departure by plunging an ice axe into the under-surface. This may help to keep you near the top of the slide
Shout. Others may see you
Try to run to the side, or jump up-slope above the fracture
If hard slab, try to remain on top of a block
Get rid of gear, sacks, skis etc
Try to roll like a log, off the debris
Swimming motions sometimes help
As the avalanche slows down, you may be able to get some purchase on the debris. Make a desperate effort to get to the surface, or at least get a hand through

If buried

Keep one hand in front of your face and try to clear and or maintain an air space
Try to maintain space for chest expansion by taking and holding a deep breath
Try to avoid panic and conserve energy. Your companions are probably searching for you

Avalanche rescue

If you witness an avalanche burial:

Observe the victim's progress and if possible mark the point of entry and point at where the victim was last seen
Check for further avalanche danger
Make a QUICK SEARCH of the debris surface

LOOK for any signs of victims
LISTEN for any sounds
PROBE the most likely burial spots

Make a SYSTEMATIC SEARCH, probing the debris with axes or poles
Send for help
KEEP SEARCHING until help arrives
REMEMBER YOU ARE THE BURIED VICTIM'S ONLY REAL CHANCE OF LIVE RESCUE. Although survival chances decline rapidly with duration of burial, they do not reach zero for a long time.

Avalanche search

This series of videos from Glenmore Lodge examines techniques for searching with avalanche transceiver and probes and for digging for different burial depths.