What should you do if you fall during an avalanche?

In the event of an avalanche, the correct action to take is to swim upwards to try to stay near the surface of the snow. This technique helps establish buoyancy in the dense snow, which can quickly settle around you and make it difficult to breathe or move. By mimicking a swimming motion, you can displace the snow and create air pockets, improving your chances of maintaining your position near the surface where rescuers can more easily locate you.

The other strategies, while they may seem reasonable at first glance, do not adequately address the immediate dangers posed by avalanche conditions. For instance, trying to stand up quickly can be futile because the snow can be extremely heavy, and standing may not be possible in the thick of the avalanche. Remaining still and waiting for help is a passive approach that does not take into account that you may be completely buried by the time help arrives. Laying flat on your back may provide some initial stability, but without the active movement to stay near the surface, you risk becoming trapped and suffocating in the snow.