Quick Answer
A partner can provide some assistance in breathing in an avalanche burial, but it's not a reliable method for survival. The effectiveness depends on the partner's ability to reach the buried person, the burial depth, and the amount of air available. It's essential to learn other avalanche rescue techniques.
Reaching the Buried Person
Reaching the buried person quickly is crucial. In ideal conditions, a person can be buried up to 6 feet deep before oxygen becomes scarce. If the burial is shallow, a partner can try to dig the person out, creating a hole in the snow to provide air access. The ideal digging technique involves creating a “snow anchor” by digging a small pit, then using the snow to create a support for the anchor, allowing for easier excavation.
Breathing Assistance Techniques
If the burial is too deep for digging, a partner can attempt to provide breathing assistance by creating a makeshift breathing tube using a flexible material like a ski pole or a branch. The tube should be inserted into the buried person’s mouth, allowing them to breathe in the available air. However, this method has limitations, and the air quality may be compromised due to the snow’s density and the person’s exertion.
Prioritizing Other Rescue Techniques
While these breathing assistance techniques can be attempted, it’s crucial to prioritize other rescue methods, such as using avalanche transceivers to locate the buried person, or digging a probe hole to determine the burial depth and orientation. These techniques provide a more reliable and efficient way to locate and rescue a buried person, increasing the chances of survival.
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