Abstract
Background
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.
Methods
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.
Results
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.
Conclusions
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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 18, 2022
Accepted:
January 11,
2022
Received in revised form:
December 23,
2021
Received:
November 25,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
