Introduction
An avalanche survival curve is a graphical representation of the cumulative survival probability during complete avalanche burial as a function of time. Thus far, survival patterns have been calculated using data from Switzerland and Canada.
Objective
To calculate an avalanche survival curve using data from Austria.
Methods
The analysis included avalanche accidents between 2005 and 2006 and 2012 and 2013 in Austria involving completely buried victims (ie, burial of the head and chest) in open terrain with known outcome at hospital discharge (survived or did not survive). Extrication and survival curves were calculated using the Turnbull algorithm, as in previous studies.
Results
Three hundred thirty-three completely buried victims were included. Median time to extrication was 15 minutes (25th to 75th quartile: 5–50 minutes). Overall survival was 59%. The survival curve showed a rapid initial drop in survival probability and a second drop to 18% between 20 and 40 minutes burial, where an inflection point exists and the curve levels off. Victims with an airpocket were more likely to survive compared with those without, especially for victims buried >15 minutes.
Conclusion
The Austrian survival curve resembles previously published curves and suggests that underlying survival patterns are reproducible. The results are in accordance with current recommendations for management of avalanche victims and serve as a reminder that expedient companion rescue is critical for survival. For the first time an airpocket was shown to be a positive prognostic factor for survival.