Despite best intentions, avalanche accidents do occur. The goal of this research area is to provide backcountry users and avalanche rescue personnel with evidence-based information about the factor that affect avalanche survival and the effectiveness of avalanche safety equipment.
SARP
AvalancheResearch.ca
Vulnerability & Rescue
Research projects
Current projects
We currently do not have any active research projects in this area.
Relevant past projects
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Summary
Avalanche airbags are a relatively new avalanche safety device with great promise to save lives, but scientific evidence on their effectiveness was limited. The objective of this research was to better understand the effectiveness of airbags in the Canadian context and shed light on the existing experiences and concerns about the use of avalanche airbags among mechanized skiing operations in Canada.
Since the limited size of the Canadian dataset of avalanche incidents involving airbags prevented the statistical analysis to provide meaningful insight, the accident analysis component of the study was expanded to an international collaboration. This collaboration produced Haegeli et al. (2014), which is the most comprehensive evaluation of avalanche airbags to-date.
Primary researcher
Pascal Haegeli
Related publications
Haegeli, P., Falk, M., Procter, E., Zweifel, B., Jarry, F., Logan, S., et al. (2014). The effectiveness of avalanche airbags. Resuscitation, 85(9), 1197-1203.
Haegeli, P. (2012) On the effectiveness of avalanche balloon packs in Canadian avalanche incidents. Report prepared for WorkSafeBC, Avisualanche Consulting.
Haegeli, P. (2012) Overview of existing concerns and operational experience with avalanche balloon packs within the Canadian professional avalanche community. Report prepared for WorkSafeBC, Avisualanche Consulting.
Haegeli, P. (2012) Examination of avalanche incidents resulting in worker fatalities with respect to possible impacts of avalanche balloon packs. Report prepared for WorkSafeBC, Avisualanche Consulting.
Industrial partner
Canadian Avalanche Association
Funding
WorkSafeBC – Innovation at Work (Canadian study)
Self-funded (international collaboration) -
Summary
The avalanche survival curve, which describes the change of survival of completely buried avalanche victims as a function of burial duration, is the foundation for evidence-based recommendations on avalanche rescue practices worldwide. However, the reference survival curve (Falk et al., 1994; Brugger et al,, 2001) for a long time was exclusive based on Swiss avalanche accident records. The objective of this research project was to calculate an avalanche survival curve based on Canadian avalanche accident data and explore any differences with the Swiss curve. The study showed significant differences between the curves of the two countries, which highlights that local conditions need to be taken in consideration when making recommendations for avalanche rescue practices.
Primary researcher
Pascal Haegeli
Related publications
Haegeli et al. (2011) Comparison of avalanche survival patterns in Canada and Switzerland. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(7), 789-795.
Funding
Self-funded
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Summary
The fact that the vast majority of avalanche fatalities die from asphyxia is well established in the avalanche safety community. However, this information is primarily based on European avalanche fatality statistics, where the primary activity in avalanche terrain is backcountry skiing in the alpine. The objective of this study was to better understand the causes of death among avalanche fatalities in Canada, where we also have other type of backcountry users (e.g., mountain snowmobile riders, ice climbers) and skiers also recreate below treeline. The results of our study show that trauma plays a major role in the death of 1 of 3 avalanche fatalities in Canada. In 25% of avalanche fatalities trauma was the primary cause of death, which an additional 8% of the victims who died from asphyxia sustained major trauma that likely affected their ability to survive the avalanche.
Primary researcher
Jeff Boyd, Pascal Haegeli
Related publications
Boyd et al. (2009) Patterns of death among avalanche fatalities: a 21-year review. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 180(5), 507-512.
Funding
Self-funded
Recent publications
Do avalanche airbags lead to riskier choices among backcountry and out-of-bounds skiers?
Journal PaperVulnerability & Rescue
Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, in press. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2019.100270
Publication year: 2019
Wilderness Medical Society practice guidelines for prevention and management of avalanche and non-avalanche snow burial accidents
Journal PaperVulnerability & Rescue
Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 28(1), 23-42.
Publication year: 2017
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