When to Revive an Avalanche Victim

A new study, published in the journal Resuscitation and reported on by Reuters, reveals under what circumstances doctors are most likely to be successful in reviving an avalanche victim. After reviewing medical literature, the doctors discovered that nine of 10 people in cardiac arrest who've been buried in the snow for 15 minutes can be revived. However, after 35 minutes buried in the snow, only three in 10 people will be revived. Doctors found that after 35 minutes in the snow, avalanche victims can be saved when there's a free airway. If the airway is clogged by snow or vomit, the victim most likely can't be saved. Since rescue teams are often far away, survival could depend on a companion's ability to help before hypothermia occurs.