The first part of this article series introduced us to the basics of avalanches. In the second part we discussed about avoiding avalanches, and in the third part we learned how to examine the snow profile in order to understand the risk of an avalanche. This fourth and last part discusses about fighting with an avalanche. This article provides you information on what to do if you notice that an avalanche has just been triggered.

When you have found a good place to ski, examined the snow profile and test skied the area, it is time to choose the safest line and ski the slope. Of the easiest and most efficient route is the safest line. Because avalanches usually occur in slopes around 30 degrees, it is best to choose either the steepest route or the easiest one. Anyhow, skiing slopes more than 50 degrees is very challenging, and therefore you should not stick to the steepest slope if you won’t be able to ski it. Usually ridges are also safer to ski, even though sometimes they can be unpleasant. If there are trees in the slope, you should ski it instead of an open area, because in the open area avalanches are more probable. Anyhow, avalanches can also occur in forests. It is also important to choose slopes that have good run-outs. Do not choose slopes that end up to a cliff or a crevasse.

What if the worst happens and you or your friend is caught by an avalanche? If you notice that you or someone else just triggered an avalanche, try to outside the area where the avalanche is moving. If you cannot find an escape route, you need to try any tactic that could help you to get near to the top of the avalanche. If the avalanche reaches you, try to stay on the surfice of the avalanche by “swimming” on it.

What happens if you get burried by the snow? First of all, try not to panic. Try to stay calm and breathe normally. Sure it is scary to be burried under snow, but screaming and getting into panic do not help. Stay calm and wait for the rescue. The longer you are burried under the snow, the smaller are your changes to survive. According to Alpine avalanche statistics, after two hours of burial only twenty per cent of the victims survive.

For more on avalanches I recommend you to search in the Internet and reading books. Rescue and search techniques will be discussed in an own article that will be published soon.

Talking about avalanche books, here is one you should read. I really like it. Check out my review of Backcountry Avalanche Safety book.