# AI advises digging a snow cave immediately after an avalanche burial to create an air pocket

- **ID:** `disaster/avalanche-dig-snow-cave-myth`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 75%

## Root Cause

Digging a snow cave after avalanche burial is futile because victims are often immobilized, disoriented, and have limited oxygen; wasting energy on digging accelerates hypoxia and hypothermia, and most rescues occur within 15 minutes.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Avalanche Canada 2024 | active | — | — |
| AIARE 1 Manual v3.2 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Create an air pocket by cupping hands around mouth and nose immediately after burial to trap exhaled CO2 and preserve oxygen.** (85% success)
   ```
   Create an air pocket by cupping hands around mouth and nose immediately after burial to trap exhaled CO2 and preserve oxygen.
   ```
2. **If able, clear snow from face and chest to reduce pressure and improve breathing, but do not attempt to dig out.** (75% success)
   ```
   If able, clear snow from face and chest to reduce pressure and improve breathing, but do not attempt to dig out.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Instructing victims to use a ski pole to poke a breathing hole** — Victims are usually upside down or pinned; movement is near impossible, and poking may collapse the snow. (90% fail)
- **Telling victims to spit to determine which way is up, then dig upward** — Spit may not work if victim is disoriented; digging upward still requires energy and may not reach surface. (85% fail)
- **Recommending to stay still and wait for rescue without creating air pocket** — Without an air pocket, carbon dioxide buildup causes rapid suffocation within minutes. (80% fail)