Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Nonavalanche Snow Burial Accidents: 2024 Update

Wilderness Environ Med. 2024 Mar;35(1_suppl):20S-44S. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.05.014. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

Abstract

To provide guidance to the general public, clinicians, and avalanche professionals about best practices, the Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel to revise the evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, rescue, and resuscitation of avalanche and nonavalanche snow burial victims. The original panel authored the Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Nonavalanche Snow Burial Accidents in 2017. A second panel was convened to update these guidelines and make recommendations based on quality of supporting evidence.

Keywords: air pocket; airbags; hypothermia; rescue; resuscitation; wilderness medicine.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Accidents
  • Avalanches*
  • Burial
  • Humans
  • Snow*
  • Societies, Medical