Latest figures out of the US show that 20 per cent of all skier fatalities are caused by suffocation in tree wells. Whats more, 65 per cent of people that die from snow immersion were caught in a tree well, usually in the inverted position. This reminds me of a sobering story, that gave me a new found respect for tree wells and that helped me learn that it can happen to anyone—in-bounds or out-of-bounds. 

A few years ago a father and his 7 year old were skiing at Whitewater Ski Resort. The dad was an advanced skier, dare I say veteran? He and his son whipped down a tree run they were very familiar with, the father following up from behind to clean up any spills. As he hit a compression one binding released and he propelled forward toward a tree and straight into a 3 metre deep hole at it’s base. Surrounded by nothing but blackness there was a moment of panic, he coaxed himself to remain calm and assess his predicament. If he moved too much more snow would fill the hole. Nobody knew he was there and so his only option was to try to get himself out. He moved slowly. Fortunately he never skied with his ski straps attached to his wrists, had this not been the case he could have been a statistic. Despite feeling pinned he was able to wriggle one arm free clear the snow from his mouth and then reach up to try to undo the binding that had him hanging in the hole, all the while he was in pitch-black with very little airspace. Once he was unhinged from the ski he could get himself upright and managed to burrow and climb out of the hole. By the time he caught up to his 7 year old son, who waited patiently on the cat track below, more than 20 minutes had passed. The ending to this could have been tragic indeed.  

DeepSnowSafety.org have put together some comprehensive information and videos on tree well safety.

According to the experts the No 1 problem is that people don’t see it as a threat. Most tree well accidents happen during or just after big snow storms or storm cycles—the more pow the higher the probability. 

Think you are safe because you are an advanced skier? Think again, 82 per cent of tree well victims are advanced skiers. 

Think you are safe with a partner? 72 per cent of tree well victims were skiing with a partner. 

Think your odds are better if you ski or snowboard? Statistically 59 per cent of victims are skiers. 

This all applies whether you are skiing backcountry, side country or on the resort. 

So what do you do if you go down?

• Make noise, scream, yell, whistle. Anything to get your partners attention. 
• Try to avoid becoming inverted. Do whatever it takes to keep your head above the snow surface including rolling, grabbing tree branches or the tree trunk.
• If you do find your head immersed try to make space for you to breath—protect your airway. 
• Resist the urge to struggle, this may entrap you further and fill the airspace with snow. 
• Breath calmly to conserve air
• Trust that your partner is on the way. 
• If you can get to your cell phone and have coverage, use it to call ski patrol or the resorts emergency number.  

Remember when you are skiing with buddie’s if you lose sight of them you could lose them for life. 

So you kept your buddy in site at all times and you saw them go down?

• STAY with your partner. Don’t leave to get help. 
• CALL for back up and support. Yell, whistle or use your cell phone if you can. 
• EVALUATE safety at the scene for yourself. 
• IMMEDIATELY begin rescue efforts – Go directly for the airway, and keep it clear, be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Clear any snow from the airway and continue necessary first aid or extrication efforts
• TUNNEL - Don’t try to pull the victim out the way they fell in. Determine where their head is and tunnel in from the side. Be careful not to knock more snow into the hole. Once you locate the airway continue to expand the tunnel until you can extricate the body. 

What happens if you didn’t see your buddy go down?

• Immediately contact ski patrol or resort emergency services. 
• If you cannot get back to the area where you last saw your buddy in a timely manner go to the nearest lift terminal and notify ski patrol of your location, stay there until ski patrol contacts you with what to do next. 
• If you do not have a cell phone contact the nearest guest who has one to call the resort emergency number. 
• If there is no cellular access, contact ski patrol as soon as possible in any way you can. Remember these incidents are time critical. 

DeepSnowSafety.org have done a brilliant job of outlining these safety guidelines and more. It’s definitely worth checking out their site for more stats and skier safety tips.