Maneuvers for getting off of and staying above an avalanche if you get caught in one.

If you get caught in an avalanche, you can improve your odds of survival by attempting to escape and by staying above the avalanche debris. Here are some recommended strategies:

For skiers or snowboarders:

  1. Yell “Avalanche!” to alert others. If a spotter has a radio they can radio “Avalanche!” into the radio. 
  2. Understand that you will need to be active and FIGHT to avoid getting killed in the avalanche. Adjust your mentality because the next seconds and minutes will be key to your survival.
  3. Under most circumstances, activate your airbag immediately before you start getting thrashed by the avalanche, and pulling the trigger becomes more difficult or impossible. Avalanche victims with an inflated airbag have a better chance of survival. However, an inflated airbag may make some of the other survival strategies outlined below more challenging.
  4. The first and most important thing is to try to get out of the avalanche. Ski or ride off of the avalanche quickly at a 45-degree angle downslope. Or, if you are near the top of the avalanche, try to self-arrest on the bed surface by digging your poles, hands, or ski edges into the slope. If you get pushed head downhill, attempt to brace and spin to get your feet downhill and then try to get up and ski off. Otherwise, push off blocks and log roll as you attempt to get to the flank of the slide. 
  5. If you are near a tree, hug it tightly or shelter on the downhill side to avoid getting swept away.
  6. If you get caught in the flow, ditch your ski/board and poles. This will reduce the risk of injury and help you stay afloat better.
  7. Fight to stay afloat by swimming towards the surface. Push off blocks of snow to stay as close to the surface as possible and use the backstroke with your feet downhill. Log roll towards the flank of the avalanche.
  8. Brace against trees or other objects to protect yourself.
  9. As the flow starts to slow, try to create an airspace by clearing snow in front of your mouth with one hand while reaching to the surface with the other. Fight as hard as you can for the surface and finally cover up by crossing your arm to your opposite shoulder and grabbing a pack strap or jacket collar. Realize that the snow will stop moving quickly, so do not wait until the last moment to try to start clearing the airspace in front of your face. Stay calm.
  10. If an avalanche is coming towards you, ride away as quickly as you can toward the side of the avalanche path.

 

For snowmobilers:

  1. If your group has radios, a spotter should broadcast “Avalanche!” to alert the group.
  2. Understand that you will need to be active and FIGHT to avoid getting killed in the avalanche. Adjust your mentality because the next seconds and minutes will be key to your survival.
  3. Under most circumstances, activate your airbag immediately before you start getting thrashed by the avalanche and pulling the trigger becomes more difficult or impossible. Avalanche victims with an inflated airbag have a better chance of survival. However, an inflated airbag may make some of the other survival strategies outlined below more challenging. 
  4. If you are riding uphill, ride off the slab to the nearest side at a 45-degree angle. In some cases, riding straight up may be the best choice.
  5. If you are pointing downhill, get off the slab by turning off to the side. If the slide isn’t too big and you have a good runout, you may be able to accelerate downhill off the slab. However, realize that there will be a wave caused by the lower boundary of the slab and try not to get bucked off your machine in that area.
  6. If you are thrown off your machine near the top of the slide, try to self-arrest by digging your hands and feet into the bed surface.
  7. If you are off your machine and near a tree, try to hug onto it or shelter on the downhill side to avoid getting swept away.
  8. Fight to stay afloat by swimming towards the surface. Push off blocks of snow to stay as close to the surface as possible and use the backstroke with your feet downhill. Log roll towards the flank of the avalanche.
  9. Brace against trees or other objects to protect yourself.
  10. Try to prevent snow from entering your helmet. Try to create an airspace by clearing snow in front of your mouth with one hand, and reach towards the surface with the other. Fight for the surface and finally cover up by crossing your arm to your opposite shoulder and grabbing a pack strap or jacket collar. Stay calm.
  11. If an avalanche is coming towards you, fire up your sled and ride away as quickly as possible. If you are in a potential avalanche area it is always good practice to keep your machine running. Make sure you’re ready to get away in a hurry.
Back to Encyclopedia