disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises digging a snow cave immediately after an avalanche burial to create an air pocket (oxygen depletion and exhaustion risk)

ID: disaster/avalanche-digging-cave-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
82%Fix Rate
89%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-01-15First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
Avalanche Safety Training Handbook 2024 active — — —
AIARE Level 1 Curriculum v3.1 active — — —

Root Cause

Digging a snow cave after burial consumes precious oxygen and energy, and can cause the snow to collapse further, reducing the air pocket. The correct action is to remain still, clear space around the face, and wait for rescue.

generic

中文

掩埋后挖雪洞会消耗宝贵的氧气和体力，并可能导致雪进一步坍塌，缩小气穴。正确做法是保持静止，清理面部周围空间，等待救援。

Official Documentation

https://www.avalanche.org/

Workarounds

  1. 75% success If buried, stay calm, cover your mouth and nose with a hand to prevent snow inhalation, and try to clear a small pocket in front of your face using your free hand. Conserve oxygen by breathing slowly and remaining still. Activate your avalanche beacon if you have one. 
    If buried, stay calm, cover your mouth and nose with a hand to prevent snow inhalation, and try to clear a small pocket in front of your face using your free hand. Conserve oxygen by breathing slowly and remaining still. Activate your avalanche beacon if you have one.
  2. 95% success Prevent burial by carrying and knowing how to use avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, probe, and shovel. Take an AIARE Level 1 course before traveling in avalanche terrain. 
    Prevent burial by carrying and knowing how to use avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, probe, and shovel. Take an AIARE Level 1 course before traveling in avalanche terrain.

中文步骤

  1. If buried, stay calm, cover your mouth and nose with a hand to prevent snow inhalation, and try to clear a small pocket in front of your face using your free hand. Conserve oxygen by breathing slowly and remaining still. Activate your avalanche beacon if you have one.
  2. Prevent burial by carrying and knowing how to use avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, probe, and shovel. Take an AIARE Level 1 course before traveling in avalanche terrain.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 70% fail

    Assuming that creating a large cavity improves survivability; it actually accelerates CO2 buildup and can trigger secondary collapses.

  2. 60% fail

    Believing that shouting or moving creates an air pocket; it only increases oxygen consumption.