What to Do in an Avalanche

No matter the amount of knowledge you have about avalanches, there is still a chance you could come in contact with an avalanche. If this ever does happen, you will need to know what to do in an avalanche.

This ski of your snowmobile could be the last thing you see before you are buried by tons of snow.

If the snow below you breaks loose when you are riding, you need to have the throttle wide open and do whatever it takes to get off the slab and to safety. Try to get to the side of the avalanche if possible because the avalanche might be faster than your snowmobile. To see proof that snowmobiles might not be able to outrun an avalanche, go to:
http://www.keepbusy.net/play.php?id=snowmobilers-try-to-out-run-avalanche

Hopefully you could escape the avalanche, but if you don't try to stay with your sled. The snowmobile is a larger object which will keep you closer to the surface and is easier for people to find you. You most likely will be disconnected from the snowmobile so you will need to swim or roll like a log with the avalanche. You should keep your backpack and gear on because it will have useful gear to help you survive and also will make your body stronger. Try to keep one hand up towards the surface and try to keep track of which way is up. When the snow starts to settle, move your other hand to your mouth and dig a pocket to help you breathe because when the avalanche stops, the snow will turn to concrete. A pocket in the snow in front of your mouth can give you enough air to survive for 30 minutes.

Now you need to calm down and wait for someone to rescue you and hopefully they can dig down to where you are.