On-site treatment of snow avalanche victims: From bench to mountainside

Abstract

The number of avalanche accidents involving winter recreationists has notably increased in recent decades due to the increasing popularity of outdoor winter activities. The International Liaison Committee on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, the International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR Medcom), and the Wilderness Medical Society have recently published evidenced-based recommendations for the on-site treatment of snow avalanche victims. Despite these recommendations, recent studies found poor knowledge and compliance by both healthcare providers and laypersons. The aim of this nonsystematic review is to provide an updated overview of avalanche accident epidemiology, to present recent advances in snow avalanche pathophysiology, and to discuss recent advancements in on-site treatment of snow avalanche victims.