For many years we have been studying breathing, gas exchange and the probability of survival of a person covered in avalanche snow. Our aim is to dispel myths that are circulating about this issue and which also affect rescue procedures. In the past, we have provided information on the importance of the air pocket in front of the airways of a buried person for the survival. Our research published today in the Scientific Reports journal (“Perlite is a suitable model material for experiments investigating breathing in high density snow”) describes perlite as a material that can replace snow in experiments aimed at studying gas exchange of avalanche victims. It also allows easy, cheap and year-round testing of avalanche protective equipment, e.g. snow snorkels and other safety tools.
Perlite is a suitable model material for breathing experiments studying survival of a victim covered with avalanche snow.
