Avalanche Resuscitation and First Aid

This free lecture helps demystify what should be done if your partner is buried in an avalanche. This lecture is not a replacement for a proper education in avalanche awareness, preparation, or rescue techniques. It is designed to build on what the student already knows from an avalanche level 1 course or an avalanche awareness and rescue course.

Thank You

Dr. Colin Grissom

  • Senior Medical Director, Critical Care - Intermountain Healthcare

  • Past President, Wilderness Medical Society

Dr. Scott McIntosh

  • Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine - University of Utah School of Medicine

  • Director, Wilderness Medicine Fellowship - University of Utah School of Medicine

  • Associate Medical Director & Flight Physician - AirMed Air Ambulance Transport Services

  • Medical Director - Summit County EMS

  • Past President - Wilderness Medical Society

Dr. Jeff Lane

  • Wilderness Medicine Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine - University of Utah School of Medicine

This course would not have been possible without the help of the following organizations

 
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References

Here is a partial list of references used in the making of this lecture.

McIntoch S E, Little C E, Seibert T D, Polukoff N E, Grissom C K, Avalanche airbag post-burial active deflation — The ability to create an air pocket to delay asphyxiation and prolong survival Resuscitation 2020;146:155-160

Van Tilburg C, Grissom CK, Zafren K, et al. Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Nonavalanche Snow Burial Accidents. Wilderness Environ Med. 2017;28(1):23-42. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2016.10.004

Tremper B. Statying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. Seattle: The Mountaineers; 2001.

McIntosh SE, Brant-Zawadzki G, Milliner BH, et al. Cause of Death in Utah Avalanche Fatalities, 2006–2007 through 2017–2018 Winter Seasons. Wilderness Environ Med. 2019;30(2):191-194. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2019.02.007

Zweifel B, Procter E, Techel F, Strapazzon G, Boutellier R. Risk of Avalanche Involvement in Winter Backcountry Recreation: The Advantage of Small Groups. Wilderness Environ Med. 2016;27(2):203-210. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2015.12.001

Harvey S, Rhyner H, Schweizer J. Lawinenkunde: Praxiswissen für Einsteiger und Profis zu Gefahren, Risiken und Strategien. 2012:1-14. http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&btnG=Search&q=intitle:Lawinenkunde:+Praxiswissen+für+Einsteiger+und+Profis+zu+Gefahren,+Risiken+und+Strategien#0.

Atkins D. Human Factors in Avalanche Accidents. Proc 2000 Int Snow Sci Work. 2000:46-51.

Fredston J, Fesler D, Tremper B. The Human Factor - Lessons For Avalanche Education. Int Snow Sci Work. 1994:45-52.

Haegeli P, Falk M, Brugger H, Etter HJ, Boyd J. Comparison of avalanche survival patterns in Canada and Switzerland. CMAJ. 2011;183(7):789-795. doi:10.1503/cmaj.101435

Grissom CK. Lessons learned from avalanche survival patterns. CMAJ. 2011;183(7):366-367. doi:10.1503/cmaj.101435

Boyd J, Haegeli P, Abu-Laban RB, Shuster M, Butt JC. Patterns of death among avalanche fatalities: A 21-year review. CMAJ. 2009;180(5):507-512. doi:10.1503/cmaj.081327

Atkins D. Bloodletting , Water , Brazil Nuts , Swimming , and Dying in Avalanches. Avalanche Rev. 2007;25(4):9-11.

Birkeland K, Bartelt P, Meiners T. Avalanche survival strategies for different parts of a flowing avalanche: Merging theory and practice to increase your odds. Avalanche Rev. 2008;26(February).

Venes D. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 23rd ed. Philidelphia: F.A. Davis; 2017.

Haegeli P, Falk M, Procter E, et al. The effectiveness of avalanche airbags. Resuscitation. 2014;85(9):1197-1203. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.05.025

Vargyas G. Backcountry skiers, avalanche trauma mortality, and helmet use. Wilderness Environ Med. 2016;27(1):181-182. doi:10.1016/j.wem.2015.09.020

Jamison J, Haegeli P, Gauthier D. Avalanche Accidents in Canada 1996-2007. Revelstoke, BC: Canadian Avalanche Association; 2010.

Early hypothermia in severely injured trauma patients is a significant risk factor for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome but not mortality. Ann Surg. 2009;250(4):661.

Atkins D. 10 years of avalanche rescues in the United States, 2003/04 to 2012/13. Avalacnhe Rev. 2015;33:22-24.

Genswein M. Survival Chance Optimized Procedures in Rescue and How to Minimize Injuries During Excavation. Int Snow Sci Work Grenoble – Chamonix Mont-Blanc - Oct 07-11, 2013. 2013:1408-1417. http://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/item.php?id=1748.