How can you create an air pocket if caught in an avalanche?

Creating an air pocket in the event of an avalanche is crucial for survival, as it allows you to breathe while waiting for rescue. Covering your mouth with your hands is effective because it prevents the snow from filling your mouth and helps to create a small air space around your face. This action not only keeps the airway clear but also minimizes the amount of snow that could enter your respiratory system, providing a better chance of security until help arrives or until you can extricate yourself from the snow.

Other methods, such as using your knees to push against the snow, waving your hands to signal for help, or moving your arms to clear snow, may not be practical or effective in establishing an air pocket. While they may facilitate movement or signaling, they do not address the immediate need to breathe, which is the critical factor in survival following an avalanche. Therefore, the action of covering your mouth with your hands is specifically aimed at creating and maintaining that essential air pocket to ensure you can breathe.