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Avalanche Incident in Tignes, France by Black Diamond, Ltd - added September 6, 2006
On January 29th 2005 Martin Gulsrud of Norway was skiing an area near TUFS at the resort Tignes, France, when he was caught in an avalanche. He was buried approximately 2.5 meters beneath the surface for twenty minutes. An experienced off piste skier, Gulsrud and his group were following avalanche terrain protocol and skiing one at a time and carrying shovels, probes and avalanche beacons. Gulsrud was also wearing a Black Diamond AvaLung. This decision may have saved his life.
Linked below are detailed documents including an interview with Gulsrud on his experience. The avalanche rescue has been confirmed and the official report from the French Avalanche Association (Anena) is available.
Initial third party accounts and photos from the incident indicate that Gulsrud was in remarkable shape when he was dug out by the ski patrol. He was uninjured, conscious and buried in a seated position with one arm above his head. Initial feedback from those involved with the rescue point out the good fortune due to the proximity of the avalanche to the patrol; the speed at which the Tignes Ski Patrol reacted; and the use of large metal shovels to be able to access the victim quickly. All were very important factors in Gulsrud's survival.
Avalanche statistics detail that approximately 80% of avalanche victims die due to suffocation or asphyxiation. (Falk and Brugger, Nature Vol. 368, 1994). The chance of survival decreases exponentially over time. After 35 minutes, the chance of survival is approximately 35%. The fact that Gulsrud walked away after being buried 2.5 meters deep and for 20 minutes is a testament to the utility of the AvaLung.
Click Here to Read the Survivor's (Martin Gulsrud) Interview
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