avalanche survival time How To Survive An Avalanche

Going to the snowy mountains is not all fun. Amidst it all lies avalanches so strong they can uproot anything that blocks their path. But here are some ways you can survive the deadly grip of an avalanche.

Tech Insider tells you all you need to know about tech: gadgets, how-to's, gaming, science, digital culture, and more.
Subscribe to our channel and visit us at: http://www.businessinsider.com/sai
TI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/techinsider
TI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tech_insider/
TI on Twitter: https://twitter.com/techinsider

--------------------------------------------------

Following is the transcript of the video:

An average of 27 people in the US die every year from avalanches. The saddest part is that the victims are actually the ones triggering the avalanches in the first place. 

Avalanches are one of the most powerful forces of nature humans ever come across. In seconds, they can sweep trains off their tracks, uproot trees, and collapse entire buildings. They can also bury unsuspecting backcountry travelers under feet of snow. But there are some tricks you can learn to make sure that slope won’t be your last.

The number one way to avoid getting caught in an avalanche? It’s pretty obvious steer clear of places where avalanches happen, namely snow-capped mountains with steep slopes. Specifically, slopes between 30-45 degrees.

But if you insist on climbing Everest or skiing in Aspen, then your first rule of thumb should always be to check the daily avalanche forecast. Most avalanches happen right after a heavy snowstorm especially a windy one. Winds can pack the snow in more tightly, creating a strong, dense layer of snow on top.

But you can’t predict an avalanche by this layer, alone. The real threat is what lies underneath. If the underlying layer of snow is weaker than the top, all it takes is the right amount of pressure and WHUMPF!

That’s the first thing you’ll hear. It’s the weak layer collapsing under your added weight, like a house of cards. You may even see cracks form in the slab of snow around you. If you can, try to get off the slab, since that’s what will be tumbling downhill in a few milliseconds.

But if you’re unable to escape, try grabbing on to a nearby tree. No trees? 

Then you’re going to go for a ride. But don’t lose hope! Immediately cover your mouth to prevent snow from getting into it and hope you don’t crash into anything.

Being in avalanche is like being caught in a violent ocean wave. Over 70% of deaths occur because the person can’t breathe. That’s why it’s imperative that you try to keep your head above the swelling cloud of snow around you. This moment, right here, could make the difference between life and death.

Don’t worry too much about form. Thrashing, kicking, breaststroke whatever keeps you near the surface. And contrary to popular belief, if you’re wearing a backpack, hold on to it! 

The second-highest risk of death is trauma from hitting a tree, boulder, or another stationary object at a high speed. Keep your backpack on, and you have an extra cushion behind you for protection.

After the snow settles, there’s not much you can do but wait for rescue. 

This isn’t like the snow you’re used to once it stops, the consistency will feel like cement. It’s nearly impossible to dig out of. 

Your biggest concern now is breathing which will not be easy, and could even backfire on you. While snow is often porous, your warm breath can temporarily melt the snow that’s in front of your face. And under the cold conditions, that water will likely re-freeze into ice, which is not good. 

What you’re left with is a layer of ice that basically seals you in with the CO2 you’re exhaling. You might as well tape a plastic bag over your head.

To avoid suffocating, try to punch your hand to the surface. This offers a clear signal to rescuers and if you can wiggle it around creates an air shaft for you to breathe.

Statistics show that you have the best chance of survival if you’re rescued within about 15 minutes. After 20 minutes, your chances drop to about 30%. 

Thanks to advanced technology, there are ways you can drastically improve your odds. Attach an avalanche beacon to yourself before you even go into the backcountry. Rescuers can use it to track you down. Also consider wearing an airbag pack, which can keep you buoyant in an avalanche. 

Even with these tools, safety isn’t guaranteed. So, be smart about when and where you choose to climb.

avalanche survival time How To Survive An Avalanche
1,269 Likes	1,269 Dislikes
84,743 views views	2.77M followers
Science & Technology	Upload TimePublished on 23 Apr 2018

Related keywords

insider trading in india,snowpiercer,innovation diploma plus,avalanche softball,techo,insider meaning,tech insider 7 minute workout,innovation department,insider dev tour,avalanche survival rate,avalance survival,science magazine,skiing in austria,everest aircon review,avalanche beacon reviews 2018,tech insider instagram,avalanche lake glacier,digital culture media and sport,avalanche beacon reviews,insiders tvf,technocelular1,snow white,ti9 champion,https://insider.in/,snow storm meme,techo abovedado,tech insider twitter,skiing in australia,skiing meaning,avalanche lake,digital culture transformation,avalanche survival kit list,insider food,tech insiders,avalanche studios nyc,tech insider prosthetics,snowfall,digital culture studies,skiing in egypt,snowstorm fortnite,digital culture and education,insider movie,techno on,insider discount code,snowfall season 3,snowstorm montreal,tiger sugar,avalanche beacon vs plb,titan22,avalanche survival stories,skiing in scotland,avalanche lake ny,snowstorm next weekend,ti9,snowstorm minnesota,avalanche survival kit,avalanche survival book,insider chennai,skiing mogul,titan gel,innovation consulting,tech insider facebook,skiing بالعربي,avalanche beacon hire,everest movie,innovation line,digital culture network,timeline,tech insider intermittent fasting,insider careers,innovation quotes,tech insider india,snow crab legs,skiing fred,snowstorm font,science museum london,tech insider products,skiing alpine,techno house,avalanche beacon pieps,avalanche beacon sale,techos de madera,insider trading,science fiction lyrics,science daily,everest aircon,tech insider sleep,techera,snow squall,tipidpc,digital culture pdf,skiing cat,digital culture definition,science research,snowstorm wednesday,technics,tim hortons,skiing fred mod apk,tech insider wiki,tech insider 22 inventions,innovations lighting,digital culture asu,avalanche beacon rei,snowstorm synonym,avalanche survival suit,avalanche studios,avalanche beacon,avalanche lyrics,insider trading regulations,ticketnet,science fiction,innovation nation,everest school,skiing sport,ticketworld,snowden,everest academy,avalanche game,science en español,snowstorm seattle,insider app,avalanche survival tips,avalanche definition,snow white and the seven dwarfs,avalanche beacon comparison,snowstorm sivir,avalanche survival,avalanche sharks,insider threat,time,everest aircon 1hp,skiing ترجمة,avalanche beacon kit,avalanche chevy,digital culture jobs,avalanche survival jacket,science advances,tech to perfection,avalanche beacon ebay,tech insider uk,avalanche survival chances,time now,techos de chapa,tiktok,avalanche truck,snowstorm sivir price,snow crab,avalanche beacon range,innovation definition,everest refrigeration,everest academy tuition fee,avalanche survival curve,avalanche survival guide,innovation synonym,innovation optics,science direct elsevier,snowball bush,avalanche beacon probe and shovel,digital culture degree,everest ford,science bits,insider kenny sebastian,snow tha product,tinder,titanic,technicolor dpc3848ve,snowball,snow peas,avalanche survival gear,digital culture media and sport committee,innovation that excites,ti9 schedule,avalanche beacon frequency,science of the total environment,skiing in bulgaria,snow cone syrup,science fiction movies,digital culture kcl,everest 2015,innovation africa,everest 2019,avalanche survival time chart,everest raptor,snowflake,techint careers,innovation meaning,snowstorm перевод,tech insider youtube,avalanche for sale,digital culture king's,techno,digital culture major,innovation endeavors,digital culture wikipedia,avalanche beacon vs transceiver,sciencealert,insider russell peters,avalanche video,tech insider honey,digital culture and design,snowstorm project,everest 2020,digital culture and society,science news,innovation high school,tech house,snowstorm in a jar,science traduccion,skiing in japan,techos de pvc,technicolor,everest car,snowstorm this weekend,snowbird,skiing on water,tin number,science direct,avalanche beacon review 2019,skiing lake tahoe,everest titanium,avalanche meaning,tech insider magazine,digital culture adalah,innovations wallcovering,avalanche ranch,titan,avalanche survival airbag,avalanche beacon nz,sciences po,tech insider presents,tech insider videos,snow cone machine,digital cultures usyd,avalanche beacon rental,innovation luggage,skiing معنى,everest academy manila,insider tickets,tinolang manok,avalanche beacon australia,avalanche schedule,snowstorm mn,everest cast,innovation playlist,insider.in coupons,avalanche survival pack,everest 2019 price philippines,science hub,skiing near me,science citation index,avalanche movie,everest paw patrol,techo de cristal,science kombat,technisys,innovations for poverty action,insider trading meaning,digital culture media and sport minister,techint,avalanche survival equipment,tech insider español,timer,snowstorm wisconsin,avalanche survival backpack,snowfall cast,snowstorm hood,innovation lab,tech insider matthew walker,avalanche beacon canada,skiing holidays,avalanche dog harness,insider zakir khan,snowstorm ny,snowstorm huntress,snow cone,snow leopard,technology line,avalanche beacon harness,avalanche survival techniques,everest aircon price,