If you find yourself caught in an avalanche, what is the best action to take?

Choosing to steer downhill at an angle in the event of an avalanche is the best course of action because it allows you to move your body out of the compacted snow that quickly forms around you. When caught in an avalanche, snow can become extremely dense as it settles, making it difficult to move or dig your way out. By steering downhill at an angle, you can potentially navigate out of the slide and increase your chances of avoiding being fully buried.

Moving at an angle also helps because avalanches typically travel downhill in a considerable flow. By positioning yourself in a manner that allows you to keep somewhat under control rather than being carried along straight down, you might find less resistance and open paths towards safety. Moreover, this motion keeps your airway more likely to remain clear, which is critical if you become partially buried.

In contrast, actions like digging straight down or stopping and waiting can trap you beneath the snow, leading to suffocation or injury. Attempting to go back uphill is usually not advisable since the force and pace of the snow flow make it exceedingly difficult to climb back against the slide.