Have survival rates changed over the past 4 decades?

Question Have survival rates, survival probability, and rescue probability for individuals critically buried by avalanche changed over the past 4 decades?

Findings In this cohort study of 1643 individuals critically buried by avalanche in Switzerland comparing the period of winters beginning in 1981 to 1990 with those beginning 1981 to 2020, the total survival rate increased, the probability of survival if rescued within 10 minutes remained high but between 10 and 30 minutes decreased, survival after 130 minutes of burial improved, and median rescue time decreased.

Meaning These results suggest that improved avalanche search-and-rescue techniques and advancements in medical treatment have been successful but the risk of early suffocation remains substantial.

Paper here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...rticle/2824053

I'd really like to know whether the overall burial rate in % has changed with the near 90% rate of airbags around. Or are old school tourers (a lot more incidents per number of runs compared to freeriders and more likely to just have a normal pack...because the almighty weight ) still such a big percentage that this hasnt changed?

I see that they only check burials, but I'dlike to see incidents survival rate. Because that should go up if the airbags work as intended.

Thanks for sharing this study, super interesting to see high enough N counts and duration of observation to reach meaningful conclusions.

The >130 minute makes no sense. They saySAR? So I guess back in the day you had an air pocket but no one got to you in time?

I think that’s an anomaly
Unless there are enough people full buried with airbags or avalungs. But I doubt it. Although footnotes 12 and 13 do reference other jama articles.
But then again maybe there are enough naturally formed air pockets that you can be rescued after more than two hours? I guess it’s possible. But more likely it’s just sample size.

Good read. And good news.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Core Shot

The >130 minute makes no sense. They saySAR? So I guess back in the day you had an air pocket but no one got to you in time?

I think that’s an anomaly
Unless there are enough people full buried with airbags or avalungs. But I doubt it. Although footnotes 12 and 13 do reference other jama articles.
But then again maybe there are enough naturally formed air pockets that you can be rescued after more than two hours? I guess it’s possible. But more likely it’s just sample size.

Good read. And good news.

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Medical advancements play a big part , the Euros are dialed with treating hypothermia + an extensive SAR/ALS helicopter program to deliver it makes a difference.
Things like AvaLife protocols, adoption of mechanical chest compression machines, HOPE/ECLS, etc. have made a positive difference.