Physiological effects of providing supplemental air for avalanche victims. A randomised trial

Survival from avalanche burial is dependent on time to extraction, breathing ability, air pocket oxygen content, and avoiding rebreathing of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Mortality from asphyxia increases rapidly after burial. Rescue services often arrive too late. Our objective was to evaluate the physiological effects of providing personal air supply in a simulated avalanche scenario as a possible concept to delay asphyxia. We hypothesize that supplemental air toward victim's face into the air pocket will prolong the window of potential survival.

A prospective randomized crossover experimental field study enrolled 20 healthy subjects in Hemsedal, Norway in March 2019. Subjects underwent in randomized order two sessions (receiving 2 litres per minute of air in front of mouth/nose into the air pocket or no air) in a simulated avalanche scenario with extensive monitoring serving as their own control.

A significant increase comparing Control vs Intervention were documented for minimum and maximum end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂), respiration rate, tidal volume, minute ventilation, heart rate, invasive arterial blood pressures, but lower peripheral and cerebral oximetry. Controls compared to Intervention group subjects had a lower study completion rate (26% vs 74%), and minutes in the air pocket before interruption (13.1 ± 8.1 vs 22.4 ± 5.6 vs), respectively.

Participants subject to simulated avalanche burial can maintain physiologic parameters within normal levels for a significantly longer period if they receive supplemental air in front of their mouth/nose into the air pocket. This may extend the time for potential rescue and lead to increased survival.