An article from CBC highlights a new study showing that Canadian avalanche victims are far more likely to die of traumatic injuries than our European counterparts. (Maybe I should have a better post for Valentines day?)
Suffocating in snow is commonly thought to be the main cause of death from avalanches, but researchers say traumatic injuries also need to be considered for many of the accidents in Western Canada.
“With an overall perspective, our findings indicate that one-third of victims have already suffered potentially lethal trauma before the avalanche comes to a stop, and most of those will die primarily of their injuries,” said Dr. Jeff Boyd of the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, an emergency room doctor and mountain guide who led the study in Thursday’s online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
“And, most of them won’t be completely buried.”
European studies have reported that asphyxia or severe lack of oxygen from suffocating under the snow was responsible for most deaths, and major trauma caused five per cent.
…read the full article.
