| U.S. Fatalities by Activity 1996 - 2002 (Total: 146) | ||||||||
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| Known Documented Cases of Avalanche Accidents with the ABS-Avalanche Air Bag System | ||||||||
| Date | Place | No. of People (in Avalanche) | Avalanche Size | location at beginning of Avalanche | Actions by People | Performance of Air Bag | Burial | Results |
| February, 1991 | Gudauri (Caucasus) | 1 Person (with ABS) | unknown | unknown | ABS activated | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | not or only partially burried | Accident survived |
| end of Feb., 1992 | Disentis | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 50 cm Width: ca. 50 m Length: ca. 200 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | burried for a time during the avalanche but not burried when it stopped (lying on the avalanche debris) | Accident uninjured survived |
| March 26, 1993 | Davos Totalphorn-Wolfgangpass (Amtmanntobel) | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 90 cm Width: ca. 8 m Length: ca. 600 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | burried for a time during the avalanche but only partially burried when it stopped (up to shoulder depth) | injured (thigh bruise) |
| December 23, 1993 | San Bernardino Piz Rotond | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 60 cm Width: ca. 80 m Length: ca. 120 m | unknown (edge of Avalanche) | ABS was first activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | burried for a time during the avalanche and completely burried when it stopped (head in the snow); dug out within ca. 1 minue by the guide | Accident uninjured survived |
| January 8, 1994 | Langwies Weissfluh-Haupteralp | 4 People (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 30 cm Width: ca. 100 m Length: ca. 250 m | caught in start zone (upper third of slope) | 3 Persons' ABS activated, 1 Person's ABS not activated | 2 on the surface (visible); 1 Air Bag not inflated (defect); 1 ABS not activated | 2 persons (with functioning ABS-System): 1 partially burried, 1 completely burried (head under the snow). 1 person Failure in ABS) partially burried (to the neck). 1 person (ABS not activated) completely burried. Found by the guide using beacon. | all persons slightly injured |
| February 17, 1994 | Davos Rossboden-Rüedisch Tälli | 3 People (2 persons with ABS; 1 person without ABS) | Crown: ca. 80 cm Width: ca. 100 m Length: ca. 750 m | caught in the upper third of slope (ca. 100 m vertically below the start) | Guide activated ABS; 1 Client's ABS first activated after guide shouted; 1 Client without ABS | Air Bags on Surface (visible) | 1 person (guide) not burried 1 person (with ABS) completely burried (head under the snow) dug out within about 3 Min. dby the guide 1 person without ABS) not burried (only caught on edge of slide) | 2 persons (with ABS): uninjured; 1 person (without ABS): back injury |
| February 28, 1995 | Klosters Gotschnagrat, Drostobel | 1 Person (with ABS) | unknown | caught in start zone | ABS was first activated during Avalanche | Air Bag only inflated to ca. 3/4 volume, on surface | 1 person (guide) carried about 50 m, not burried | Accident uninjured survived. Lost 1 ski. |
| February, 1996 | Chamonix Le Tour | 3 People (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 30 cm Width: ca. 15 m Length: ca. 200 m | caught in start zone | Everyone's ABS were activated during Avalanche | all Air Bags on surface (visible) | No one burried; in the upper portion of the deposition zone | all persons: Accident survived uninjured |
| March 11, 1996 | Dombai/Kaukasus | 2 People (1 person with / 1 person without ABS) | Crown:ca 3 m Width: ca. 150 m Length: ca. 350 m | both People were caught in start zone | ABS was activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | both persons not burried (with / without ABS) in lower portion of the deposition zone | both persons: Accident survived uninjured |
| February 21, 1997 | Flims/Laax Crappa Spessa | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 50 cm Width: ca. 70 m Length: ca. 80 m | on the lower portion of slope at start of avalanche | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag only 1/3 visible on surface | 1 person (guide) carried into a depression; completely burried (head approx. 30 cm); dug out in about 2 min after burial by clients; found by visible Air Bag; depth of the avalanche debris in gully was about 3-4 m | Accident: uninjured survived |
| March, 1997 | Wengen Berner Oberland | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 80 cm Width: unknown Length: min. 400 m Powder Avalanche (!) | Triggered by 2 Snowboarders; Skiers were in the lower portion of the start zone | ABS was activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | 1 person (ski instructor) carried about 400 m; not burried, face down, headed downhill, skis und poles still there, able to ski on | Accident: uninjured survived |
| Winter 1996/97 | Gudauri (Caucasus) | 1 Person (with ABS) | unknown | unknown | ABS activated | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | not at all or only partially burried | Accident survived |
| December 10, 1997 | Obertauern Salzburg | 2 People (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 70 cm Width: ca. 15 m Length: ca. 300 m | both People were caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bags on Surface (visible) | both people were in the upper third of the slope when avalanche stopped; 1 person not burried; 1 person partially burried; accident occurred during avalanche control work (Lawinenkommission) | both persons: Accident: uninjured survived |
| January 21, 1998 | Disentis | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 40 cm Width: ca. 40 m Length: ca. 50 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | partially burried; able to free self | Accident: uninjured survived |
| March, 1998 | France | 1 Person (with ABS) | unknown | unknown | had major problems triggering ABS | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | unknown; probably partially burried | survived, probably uninjured |
| November 21, 1998 | Münchner Haus Zugspitze Garmisch | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca. 30 cm Width: ca. 50 m Length: ca. 300 m | caught in start zone | ABS was activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | after it stopped, in the upper portion of the depostion zone; not burried | Accident: uninjured survived |
| December 8, 1998 | Kapall St. Anton a. Arlberg | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: ca.80 cm Width: 20 - 60 m Length: ca. 300 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | after it stopped, in the lower portion of the depostion zone; partially burried; rescue by rest of party | Accident: uninjured survived |
| January 16, 1999 | Gemsstock Andermatt | 7 Personen (with ABS) | Crown: ca 150 cm Width: 60 - 80 m Length: ca. 150 m | unknown | 5 People activated ABS, 2 People did not trigger ABS | Air Bags on surface (visible) | all 7 persons not or only partially burried | 2 persons slightly injured (rocks); other 5 persons uninjured |
| January 28, 1999 | Decker Glacier Alberta Canada | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: 30 - 60 cm Width: ca. 50 m Length: ca. 300 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | on skitour; descent on foot (skis carried). was able to turn onto back during the avalanche; not burried | Accident uninjured survived |
| End of Jan., 1999 | Val d'Isère France | 2 People (with ABS) | unknown | unknown | 2 persons' ABS not activated | ABS not activated | unknown; offpiste | survived |
| January 31, 1999 | Val d'Isère France | 1 Person (with ABS) | unknown | unknown | ABS not activated | ABS not activated | unknown; offpiste | Accident with injuries survived |
| March 24, 1999 | Erlispitze, Valluga St. Anton a. Arlberg | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: 20 - 50 cm Width: 60 m Length: 150 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during the Avalanche | Double Air Bags Failure: only 1 Air Bag inflated | partially burried, 1 Air Bag visible | Accident uninjured survived |
| January 29, 2000 | Hoher Riffler Gampernunalpe, Flirsch Tirol | 2 People (1 person with / 1 person without ABS) | Crown: 60 cm Width: 50 m Length: ca. 200 m | in middle of slope at start of avalanche | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | Person with ABS not burried, mid-slope Person without ABS partially burried in lower portion of the deposition zone (carried from the start zone) | both persons: Accident uninjured survived |
| February 2, 2000 | Vallonnet, Val d'Isère | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 30 cm Width: 60 m Length: 840 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche ? | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | Person sitting on debris with ABS | survived without injuries |
| February 16, 2000 | Davos Rinerhorn, Sertig | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: 15 - 70 cm Width: 30 m Length: 50 - 70 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) | stopped in the upper portion of the deposition zone; partially burried | Accident uninjured survived |
| February 16, 2000 | Portlesspitze Matsch, Südtirol Italien | 5 People (1 person with / 4 persons without ABS) | Crown: 30 - 160 cm Width: 250 m Length: 550 m | in middle of slope at start of avalanche | ABS activated at start of or during avalanche | according to witnesses, the Air Bag remined visible on the surface during the avalanche - after coming to rest, burried 170 cm deep | when it stopped all 5 persons were burried (170 cm to 300 cm) in a small depression at the base of the slope; individual with inflated Air Bags was burried 170 cm deep; all were found using beacons | 3 persons without ABS: dead 1 person with ABS: dead 1 person without ABS: survived |
| March 8,2000 | Grand Pre Val d'Isère | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 25 cm Width: 40 m Length: 80 m Debris: 150 cm | caught in starting zone | ABS activated upon release (?) of avalanche | ABS visible on surface | person partially buried (legs only), self rescue | person survived without injuries |
| April 2, 2000 | Davos Monstein Büelenhorn | 1 Person (with ABS) | Crown: 50 cm Width: 30 m Length: 500 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag on Surface (visible) although the 150 litre Bag was ripped from the pack (seams gave way) shortly before the avalanche stopped | not burried | survived uninjured |
| April 14, 2000 | Pte Pers Val d'Isère | 2 persons with ABS | Crown: 30 cm Width: 80 m Length: 350 m debris: 120 cm | caught in middle of avalanche slope | ABS activated during avalanche | both persons buried, ABS both visible on surface, self rescue | both persons survived without injuries | |
| February 5, 2001 | Alte Prager Hütte, Tirol, Austria | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 20cm Width ca. 15 m Length ca. 40 m | in middle of slope at start of avalanche | ABS activated during the Avalanche | Air Bag visible on avalanche deposit | person partly buried, could free himself | survived uninjured |
| February 10, 2001 | Wetterkreuz Kühtai, Tirol, Austria | 3 person, 2 with 1 without ABS | Crown: 30-35 cm Width ca. 120-150 m Length ca. 100-120 m | caught in lower third of avalanche slope (deposit zone) | ABS activated at start of the avalanche | One airbag shorty covered during avalanche run, both ABS visible on deposit after avalanche standstill | both persons with ABS partly buried (up to heep) | survived uninjured |
| February 11, 2001 | Piz Dolf, Flims Grisons, Switzerland | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 50-80cm Width ca. 200 m Length ca. 600 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during the Avalanche | technical failure (cartridge empty...!) | head buried 50 cm by a second avalanche, dug out after 55 min by rescue service | survived uninjured (!) |
| February 6, 2001 | Zugspitze, Wetterwandeck. Garmisch Region | 1 person with ABS, 1 person without ABS (group size: 3) | Crown: 80 - 280 cm, Width: 100 m, Length approx. 800 m | person with ABS caught in start zone, person without ABS caught at bottom of slope | ABS not activated | person with ABS carried 800 m | person with not activated ABS fully buried 180 cm deep, dug out after 30 minutes, person without ABS partially buried | person with not activated ABS did not survive, other person not injured |
| March 20, 2001 | Combe des Militaires, Tigne (F) | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 80 cm, Width: 30 m, Length: 200 m, debris: 120 cm | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche | person not buried, riding on back, ABS activated upon arrest | survived without injuries | |
| December 15, 2001 | Kapall, St. Anton a. Arlberg, Austria | 1 person with ABS | Crown: approx. 40 cm, Width: 3 - 4 m (gully), Length: approx. 200 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during valanche run | person carried to the lower part of the deposition zone | person not buried, lying on the back | survived uninjured |
| January 2002 | Les glatiers, la cheminee, Constantin, Tignes (F) | group size: 6 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | not many details available: NE aspect, Crown at 2500 m, approx. Length: 200 m | caught in start zone, | ABS activated immediately after start of avalanche | person came to rest on right side on top of debris, was carried 200 m | person partially buried, self rescue | survived uninjured, skis lost |
| January 12, 2002 | Arosa, Grisons, Switzerland | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 40 cm Width: 70 m Length: 400 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche run | person carried to the middle part of the slope | not buried | survived uninjured |
| January 27, 2002 | Kandersteg, Bern, Switzerland | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 40-50cm Width: 200 m Length: 100-120 m | caught 10 m below start zone | ABS activated during avalanche run | person carried to the lower part of the deposition zone | person not buried, lying on the back | survived uninjured |
| March 1, 2002 | Höllkarseite, Ischgl, Austria, skiing area | 3 persons (one with mono ABS, who was caught by the avalanche) | Crown: 20-90 cm Width: 70 m Length: 300 m | caught in the middle of the slope | ABS activated during avalanche run | person carried over about 140 m to the lower part of the deposition zone | person lying on front with the head buried 20 cm, able to dig himself out after 1 min | survived uninjured |
| March 3, 2002 | Atlin, BC, Canada | 1 person with ABS (group size: 5) 4th person in group was caught | 31 - 35 degree slope, dry slab, Crown: 10 - 40 cm, Width: 40 m, Length: 80 m, deposit: 50x50 m, 150 cm deep at burial site | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche | carried to upper third of slope (?) | person came to rest on stomach, not buried, self rescue | person survived with dislocated shoulder |
| March 5, 2002 | Vallatscha d'Astra, Val S-charl, Grisons, Switzerland | 11 persons, 5 caught of which one with ABS (guide) | Crown: 80-120 cm Width: 150 m Length: 450m | caught in the middle of the slope | ABS was activated during avalanche run | person carried over about 140 m to the lower part of the deposition zone, always on the surface | person with ABS partially buried, other persons completely buried | person with ABS survived uninjured, 1 person dead immediately, 2 persons died in hospital, 1 person injured |
| April 10, 2002 | Glosier du Cul du Nant, Val d'Isere (F) | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 60 cm, Width: 70 m, Length: 100 m | caught in starting zone | ABS activated during avalanche | person not buried | survived without injuries | |
| December 30, 2002 | Tunel 3000, Val d'Isere | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 20 cm, Width: 10 m, Length: 30 m | caught in starting zone | ABS activated during avalanche | person not buried | survived without injuries | |
| January 4, 2003 | Spi da Russenna, Rojen, Vinschgau (I) | 1 person with ABS | unknown | ABS activated during avalanche | balloon visible on surface of deposit | person partially buried (no other members in group), victim was dug out by witnesses from another party, according to press release survival was only because of ABS | survived without injuries | |
| January 8, 2003 | Big Elk Mountain, Ririe, Idaho (USA) | 1 person with ABS (group size: 7 snowmobilers) | data not known, juding from photo Length of avalanche approx. 100 - 200 m, Width: approx. 50 - 100 m, | fracture approx. 100 m above involved person | ABS released approx. 30 m before avalanche stopped | person was thrown from snowmobile, swam to stay on top | person not buried | survived without injuries |
| January 23, 2003 | Kuetai, (A), Gaiskogel in den Hirscheben | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 40 - 50 cm, Width at Crown: 100 m, deposit: 30x50 m, NE slope | caught near start zone | ABS released during avalanche | person was caried to upper part of debris | person and ABS partially buried laying on back. Self rescue (no other persons in party) | survived without injuries |
| January 25, 2003 | Pfunderer Berge (I) | 1 person (mountain guide) with ABS with one client without ABS | remote triggered avalanche, 35 - 40 degree slope, released approx. 50 m above group in 15 degree slope, Crown: 10 - 50 cm, Width: 75 m | caught at bottom of slope | ABS release during avalanche (approx. 1 - 2 seconds after recognizing situation) | person with ABS stays on surface with upper body during avalanche | person with ABS partially buried (upper body), self rescue, person without ABS almost completely buried (only head visible) was dug out | both persons survived without injuries |
| March 2, 2003 | Rocabella, Julier, Bivio (CH) | 3 persons without ABS, one with ABS | NE slope, 35 degrees, Crown: approx. 20 cm, Width: 30 - 40 m, Length: 20 - 30 m, deposit 30 x 10 m, maximum depth of deposit: 80 cm | caught in start zone | ABS released immediately | person with ABS caried half down the slope | person with ABS partially buried, ABS visible, 1 person without ABS partially buried, 2 persons without ABS not buried | all survived without injuries |
| March 24, 2003 | Aostatal (I) | 1 person with ABS caught, they where filming snowboarders at warning level 4 !! | Crown: approx. 75 - 100 cm, Width at Crown: 200 - 250 m, Length: 150 - 200 m, depth of deposit: 2 - 3 m | caught in starting zone | ABS released immediately | person dragged 150 - 200 m, during avalanche head never buried | person not buried | survived without injuries |
| April 5, 2003 | Kartellferner, Gem. St. Anton am Arlberg (A) | 1 person with ABS | Crown: 30 - 40 cm, Width: 30 m, Length: 70 - 100 m, slope angle: 35 - 40 degrees, dry slab | cauht in starting zone | ABS released immediately | person was spotted numerous times during avalanche, had feeling of drag (was passed by snow masses) | person with ABS partially buried (only head and left arm not buried), came to rest laying on stomach, rescue through other group members | survived without injuries |
| April 15, 2003 | Keesauge am Schareck, (East Flank), Gem. Bad Gastein (A) | 2 persons, one with ABS one without | Crown: approx. 75 cm, Width: approx. 15 m, Length: 150 m, slope angle: 36 - 40 degrees, dry slab, deposit 25 x 60 m | caught in starting zone | ABS released immediately | persons "rode" on top of avalanche | both not buried | both survived without injuries |
| May 1, 2003 | Greenland, north Manitsaq, East Coast | group size: 5 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Crown: 25 cm, Width: approx. 50 m, slope angle: 36 - 40 degrees, Length: 300 - 400 m, deposit: 30 x 50, 50 m cm deep | caught in starting zone | ABS released immediately | person slid to bottom of deposit | person not buried, ABS visible, person laying on back | survived with broken leg |
| December 30, 2003 | Muotas Muragl (GR) | group size: 8, 1 person with ABS caught | Crown: 40 - 70 cm, Width: 70 m, Length: 400 m, slope incline 36 - 40 degrees, dry slab with high powder content, deposit in small depression, 100 x 60 m, depth of deposit: 3.5 m | caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche | person slid to bottom of deposit, not buried, laying prone on deposit | ABS visible, person not buried | self rescue, survived without injuries |
| January 7, 2004 | Gstermspitz, Planneralm (A) | group size: 8, 1 person with ABS caught | Crown: 10-30 cm, Width: approx. 40 m Length: approx. 200 m, slope incline: 31 - 35 degrees, dry ground slab, deposit: 40x40 m, depth of debris: 1.5-2.5 m | caught in middle of avalanche slope | ABS released during avalanche | person came to rest supine, not buried in upper area of debris field | person not buried, ABS visible, person laying on back | survived without injuries |
| Jänner 10, 2004 | Punta Bagna, Val Frejus, F | 2 persons with ABS, one person caught | No size known, debris over 2 m deep – enough for deep burial | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Person laying on debris, poles and skies missing | person not buried, ABS visible, person laying on back | Survived with no injuries |
| January 11, 2004 | Jägerkamp Südrinne, Spitzingsee (D) | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | Crown: 50 cm, Width: 15 m, Length: 150 m, incline: 36 - 40 degrees, dry slab, debris: 10x15 m, depth: 150 cm | caught in starting zone | ABS released immediately | person partially buried standing up in lower area of debris field | person partially buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| January 24, 2004 | Rothorn, Lenzerheide, GR | single skier caught with ABS | Crown: 50 cm, Width: 25 m, Length: 350 m, incline: 40 - 45 degrees, SSE, dry slab | caught in starting zone | ABS released after sliding approx. 100 m in steepest section | was able to ski out to the side, ABS might have helped to get back up on his feet | person skied out, not buried | survived without injuries |
| February 25, 2004 | Rinerhorn - Sertig, Davos, GR | group size: 3, one with ABS caught | slab avalanche, Crown: 60 - 80 cm, Width: 25 m, Length: 500 m, incline: 40 degr | caught in starting zone | ABS not activated (grip not pulled) | person was pressed against tree in runout zone | person on top of snow wrapped around tree | person with not released ABS died, in this case, had ABS been released it might have increased chance of survival |
| February 21, 2004 | Lech am Arlberg (A), Stierlochjoch | single skier caught with ABS | Crown: 30 - 40 cm, Width: 60 m, Length: 250 m, incline: 36 - 40, dry slab, debris field: 50 x 70 m, depth: 80 cm | caught in middle of avalanche slope | ABS activated during start of avalanche | person not buried, laying prone in lower part of deposit zone, during avalanche sometimes completely invisible | person not buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived with minor injuries |
| March 24, 2004 | Gantrischregion, Birehubel (BE) | group size: 6 persons, 2 persons with ABS caught | Crown not visible due to fog, Width: approx. 30 m, Length: approx. 50 m, incline: 31-35, wet ground slab, debris in well defined depression of terrain | both caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche, balloon visible | one person in middle of debris, another in lower part of debris, both laying supine and not buried | persons not buried, self and companion rescue | both persons survived without injuries |
| March 28, 2004 | Piz Rotz, Ischl, Tirol (A) | single skier caught with ABS | slab avalanche, incline: 45 degrees, NNW exposure | caught in starting zone | person came to rest on top of debris | not buried, balloon visible, self rescue | survived without injuries | |
| April 12, 2004 | Dittl-Ohrenspitze, East Face, Riesenfernergruppe, Osttirol (A) | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | Crown: 20-40 cm, Width: 70 m, Length: approx. 100 m, incline: 40 degrees, debris field 100x20 m in slight concavity, depth: approx. 1 m | caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche, balloon was "working" and kept person on surface during the whole ride | person came to rest in upper part and on top of debris, supine, | person not buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| January 23, 2005 | Südwiener Hütte, Obertauern, (A) | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | soft slab, Crown: approx. 40 cm, Width: 3m, Length: 100 m, incline: 40 degrees, NE exposure, debris field: 70 x 100 m in small concavity, depth: 80 cm | caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche | person came to rest in upper part and on top of debris, prone | person not buried, ABS visible, rescued and spotted by fellow skier | survived without injuries |
| January 2005 | La Sache, Tignes, F | Group size: 4, one with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: approx. 30 cm, width: 30 m, length: approx. 100 m, incline: 36-40 degrees, E exposure, debris 15x40 m, in gully | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche | Person laying supine, not buried in middle part of debris | Not buried, ABS visible | Survived with no injuries |
| Februar 8, 2005 | Alp Selva, Vals, CH | group size: 3, one with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 60 cm, width: 40 m, length: 82 m, incline: 45 degrees, NE exposure | caught in start zone | ABS not released | Balloon not inflated because it was not released, ABS worked flawlessly (tested later) | Person caught under 20 cm of debris for 81 minutes, fully buried, not found by companions | Person with not activated ABS died |
| February 12, 2005 | Peak slope of Torwand, Wattener Lizum, Wattens, Tirol (A) | group size: 4, all caught, one person had ABS | dry slab, Crown approx. 100 cm, Width: 250 - 300 m, Length: approx. 500 m, incline: 31 - 35 degrees, NW exposure, debris field: 250-300 x 500 m in small concavity | all 4 persons caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche | person with ABS laying supine in upper part of debris field, partially buried, ABS visible, another person partially buried, 2 people without ABS completely buried (approx. 100 cm and 150 cm) in lower part of debris field | person with ABS partially buried, self rescue, person without ABS partially buried rescued by ABS person, | person with ABS survived with minor injuries, person without ABS no injuries, 2 people without ABS dead |
| February 18, 2005 | stuben, Arlberg (A) | group size 4, one person with ABS caught | dry slab, Crown: approx. 20 cm, Width: 4 m, Length: 30 m, incline: 40 degrees, SW exposure, debris field 4 x 30 m, depth: 60 cm | caught in starting zone | ABS released during start of avalanche | person partially buried, laying prone at bottom of debris field, ABS visible | partially buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| February 24, 2005 | Salezerhorn, Davos (GR) | Group size: 2, both caught, one with ABS | dry slab, Crown: 30 - 80 cm, Width: 80 m, Length: 140 m, incline: 36 - 40, SW exposure, debris field 30 x 80 m in concavity | person with ABS caught in starting zone, person without caught in debris area | ABS released during start of avalanche | person with ABS buried in lower part of debris field, ABS visible, person without ABS not buried in upper part of debris field, could see balloon and dug out comrade | person with ABS fully buried (head approx. 20 cm under snow), ABS visible on surface, was dug out quickly by comrade | person survived without injuries |
| February 25, 2005 | Pirchkogel South Slope, Sellrain Mountains (A) | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | dry slab, Crown: 20 cm, Width: 10 m, Length: 100 m, incline: 31 - 35, S exposure, debris field: 10 x 20 m in even slope | caught in starting zone | ABS released during start of avalanche | person partially buried in middle of slope, supine | partially buried, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| März 9, 2005 | Arrondaz, Val Frejus, F | 2 persons with ABS, one person caught | Slab avalanche, width: 30 m, length: 100 m, W exposure | caught in start zone | ABS activated during start of avalanche | Person laying supine on debris, ABS visible | Not buried, ABS visible, rescued by companion | Suvived without injuries |
| March 10, 2005 | Piz Nuna, Nernez, (GR) | group size: 6 persons, all of them caught, 2 with ABS | dry slab, Crown: 20 cm, Width: 80 m, Length: 150 m, incline 36 - 40 degrees, debris field: 70 x 50 m, depth: 200 cm in small concavity | all persons standing in runout zone when avalanche released | both persons with ABS released balloon immediately | one person with ABS laying on the side in lower part of runout zone, other person with ABS supine in lower part, one person without ABS supine in upper part of runout zone, persons 4, 5 and 6 remained standing in upper area of runout zone | one person with ABS fully buried (head 30 cm in snow), ABS visible, companion rescue, person 2 with ABS partially buried, balloon visible, self rescue, person 3 without ABS fully buried, self rescue, persons 4, 5 and 6 all partially buried, self rescue | all of them survived avalanche without injuries |
| March 11, 2005 | Kleine Kesselspitze, Obertauern (A) | group size: 8, 1 person with ABS caught | dry slab, Crown: 50 - 120 cm, Width: 50 m, Length: 250 m, incline: 40, NE exposure, debris field: 30 x 50 m in small concavity | caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche | person not buried laying prone in upper third of runout zone | person not buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived with minor injuries (bruise) |
| March 11, 2005 | Hochfügen ? | single skier caught with ABS | dry slab, Width: 30 m, Length: 40 m, incline: 31 - 35, S exposure, debris field: 30 x 40 m in small concavity | caught in middle of avalanche slope | ABS released during avalanche | person in upper part of debris laying supine | partially buried, ABS visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| March 13, 2005 | Rachkofel, Zillertal (A) | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | dry slab, Crown: 20 cm, Width: 50 cm, Length: 100 m, incline: 31 - 35, S exposure, debris field: 30 m x 150 cm (?) in small concavity | caught in starting zone | ABS released during avalanche | person buried up to hip in lower part of runout zone | person partially buried (to the hip), ABS visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| April 18, 2005 | Tignes, F | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche in couloir, caught person for 400 m ride | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Balloon inflated, person dragged to surface | Partially buried, ABS visible, companion rescue | Survived with no injuries |
| April 21, 2005 | Fenetre de Saleina, Mont Blanc Massiv, (VS) | group size: 3, one with ABS caught | dry slab, Crown: 20 cm, Width: 2 m, Length: 100 - 150 m, incline: 40 degrees, SSW exposure, debris field: 30 x 10 m in even slope | caught in middle of avalanche slope | ABS released during avalanche | person not buried, supine on debris field | person not buried, ABS visible, self rescue | person survived without injuries - ABS was protecting victim from fall over rocks |
| Dezember 31, 2006 | Courmayeur, F | Group size: 2, one caught with ABS | Slab avalanche in couloir | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | ABS inflated, person visible on surface | Person not buried, skied out of debris after avalanche stopped | Survived with no injuries |
| January 3, 2006 | Wallberg, Germany | Group size: 3, all caught, one with ABS | Dry slab, length: approx. 400 m, incline: 31 – 35 degrees, NW exposure, debris: 10x50 m in small concave terrain feature | Caught in middle of slope | ABS released during avalanche | 1 person with ABS and 1 person without skied out of avalanche | 2 persons that skied out where not buried, 1 person without ABS partially buried, self rescue | ABS was not needed |
| January 5, 2006 | Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria | Group Size: 2 1 person w ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown 25 cm, width: 30 m, length: 50 m, incline: 31-35 degrees, N exposure, debris 20x50 m in even topography | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Victim laying on his side in upper part of debris | Person not buried, self rescue | person survived without injuries |
| Jänner 18, 2006 | Grande Motte, Tignes, F | group size: 2, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown 15 cm, width: 10 m, length: 30 m, incline: 31-35 degrees, NW exposure, debris: 10x30m x 150 cm, debris went up opposite side of valley | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche | Person laying supine in upper part of debris | partially buried, ABS visible, self rescue | Person survived uninjured |
| Jänner 19, 2006 | Les Arcs, F | Group size: 7, all with ABS, 3 persons caught | Size not known, according to reports: medium size avalanche | Probably caught in start zone | 2 persons could not release ABS, one released | ABS with was pulled released without problems | Person with activated ABS partially buried, ABS visible, 2 persons with not activated ABS fully buried | Person with released ABS survived uninjured, 2 with not released ABS injured??? |
| January 20, 2006 | Schwarzwassertal, Tirol. Austria | Single skier with ABS | Slab avalanche, width: 25 m, length: approx. 200 m, rocky slope | Went for 150 m ride | ABS released during avalanche | Unclear | Self rescue | survived with minor injuries (bruise) |
| January 22, 2006 | Arlberg, Tirol, Austria | Group Size: 4 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 50 cm, width: 30 m, length 180 m, incline: 36 – 40 degrees, E exposure, debris: 50x20 m in concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Victim laying supine in upper part of debris | Second person partially buried – head not buried, balloon visible, self rescue with help from members of party | person survived without injuries |
| January 28, 2006 | Steinkar, Landberghütte, Austria | Group Size: 2 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 40 cm, width 40 m, length 150 m, incline: 36 – 40 degrees, E exposure, debris: 60x50 in small concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Victim laying prone in upper part of debris | partially buried, self rescue | Suvived without injuries |
| January 30th, 2006 | Val Cenis, F | Group size not known, one person caught with ABS | Size not known, according to reports: medium size avalanche | Victim found supine on debris | Not buried, ABS visible, self rescue | Survived with no injuries | ||
| Februar 17, 2006 | La Plagne, F | Group size: 2, one caught with ABS | Long avalanche in couloir below tree line | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche, dragged for 150 m | Victim found sitting upright on debris | Not buried, ABS visible, rescued by companion | Medium injuries due to tree stumps |
| Februar 17, 2006 | Val Cenis, F | Group size: 2, one caught with ABS | No dimentions on record, apparently big | caught in start zone | ABS activated | Person visible on debris on ledge | ABS visible, person in uncomfortable position (head under snow), rescued by companion | Shock and minor injuries |
| February 18, 2006 | Stuben, Arlberg, Tirol, Austria | Group Size: 4 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 70 cm, width: 20 m, length 15 m, incline: 36 – 40 degrees, N exposure, even debris | Caught in middle of slope | ABS released during avalanche | Victim laying prone in lower part of debris | not buried, balloon visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| February 20, 2006 | Val Acletta, Disentis, Switzerland | Group Size: 5 persons, 4 persons caught, one with ABS | Slab avalanche, crown: 80 cm, width: 100 m, length: 450 m, incline: 36 degrees | Persons where positioned all over the slope | ABS not activated (did not have handle with him!) | Victims spread in lower part of debris, 2 close together | 4 persons fully buried, 1 person (without ABS) with air hole | 1 person survived (the one with air hole) rescue by other member of group, 2 persons dead without ABS, 1 dead with ABS (the one that forgot the handle!!!) |
| February 20, 2006 | Nax (VS), Switzerland | Group Size: 4 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown 50 cm, width: 30 m, length: 40 m, incline: 31-35 degrees, E esposure, in small concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Victim in lower part of debris | Not buried, balloon visible, | Suvived without injuries |
| February 22, 2006 | La Grave, France | Group Size: 4 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 90 cm, width 50 m, length: 100 m, incline: 31-35 degrees, N exposure, even debris (50x100 m) | Caught in middle of slope | ABS released during avalanche | Victim supine in lower part of debris | not buried, balloon visible, self rescue | Suvived without injuries |
| February 23, 2006 | Klösterle am Arlberg, Satteinser Alpe, Austria | Single skier with ABS | Slab avalanche, crown: 30 – 70 cm, (average 50 cm), width: 60 m, length: 800 m, incline: 36-40 degrees, W exposure, debris (80x200 m) in small concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS released during avalanche | Victim prone in middle of debris | not buried, balloon visible, self rescue | survived without injuries |
| February 26, 2006 | Gaaler Tauern, Austria | Possibly 2 persons in group, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche: crown: approx. 30 cm, with: 6 m, length: approx. 200 m, incline 36-40 degrees, SE exposure, debris (200x10 m) in strong concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Victim prone in lower part of debris | not buried, balloon visible, self rescue | survived uninjured |
| February 28, 2006 | Gaishörndl, Inner Villgraten, Osttirol, Austria | Group Size: 3 persons, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 40 cm, width: 20 m, length: 50 m, incline: 34 degrees, NE exposure, debris:(20x50 m) in concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Person partially buried, balloon visible, rescue through comrades | survived uninjured | |
| März 5, 2006 | Val Cenis, F | 2 persons caught with ABS | Size of avalanche not known, possibly medium size | caught in start zone | ABS activated at start of avalanche | Both came to rest on top of debris | Both ABS visible, not known whether person where buried | One person uninjured, one with knee injury |
| March 8, 2006 | Baikalsee, Irkutzk, Siberia | Group Size: 17 persons, 4 caught (2 with ABS, Avalung and transceiver, 2 only with transceivers) | 2 big slab avalanches (one approx. 1 km long), debris in strong concave terrain feature | All caught in start zone | 1 ABS released at start of avalanche, 1 ABS released in avalanche (second one), release with a lot of power | 2 persons (1 with ABS one without) caught in upper part of avalanche slope and dragged for 50 m, 2 persons (1 with ABS, 1 without) where swept away with the bigger of the 2 avalanches for approx. 1 km | First person with ABS partially buried, balloon visible, dug up by party members, second person with ABS not buried, self rescue persons without ABS fully buried (up to 140 cm deep), dug out by party members | 2 persons (with ABS) survived without injuries 2 persons without ABS both dead |
| March 11, 2006 | Courchevel, F | 2 persons with ABS, one caught | 2 slab avalanches, length: 85 and 150 m, N exposure, medium size debris in small concave terrain feature | caught in start zone | ABS not activated in first avalanche – partially buried, ABS activated when second avalanche occurred | Victim prone in middle of slop | partially buried, ABS visible, self rescue | Suvived without injuries |
| März 11, 2006 | Axamer Lizum, Tirol, A | Group size: 6, 1 person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, crown: 50 – 120 cm, length: approx. 700 m, incline: 40 – 45 degrees, NE exposure | caught in start zone | ABS not activated (handle was ripped off during fall) | Arrested on rocky ledge | Not buried | survived uninjured |
| März 31, 2006 | Aiguille Percee, Tignes | Group size not known, one person caught | Slab avalanche, crown 40 cm, width: 30 m, length: approx. 150 m, incline: 36-40 degrees, NE exposure, debris: 60x30x120 m, | |||||
| April 2, 2006 | Tignes, F | Group Size 2 Persons, one person with ABS caught | Slab avalanche, in couloir, 30 cm crown, width: 20 m, incline: 40 degrees, caught person dragged for 150 m | caught in start zone | ABS activated during avalanche | ABS inflated, person drifted to surface | Person partially buried, balloon visible, rescue through comrades | survived uninjured |
| April 12, 2006 | Clasier des Oren Nord, Valpelline, Italy | Group Size: 9 persons, 4 persons caught, one with ABS | Slab avalanche, crown: 20-50 cm, width: 50 m, length: 130 m, incline: 31-35 degrees, E exposure, medium size debris in small concave terrain feature | all 4 persons caught in starting zone | Person 1 released ABS during avalanche, persons 2 – 4 did not have ABS | Person with ABS in lower part of debris, supine persons without ABS in upper half of slope either seated or prone | Person 1 with ABS partially buried, balloon visible, self rescue person 2 without ABS not buried, self rescue person 3 without ABS partially buried, rescue through party members, person 4 without ABS fully buried (130 cm, 15 minutes), rescue through party members with transceivers and probe | Person 1 with ABS not injured, person 2 without ABS injured (torn ligaments in foot), persons 3 and 4 without ABS not injured |
| RESULTS | ||||||||
| 100 known accidents (with ABS) involving 119 Persons (with ABS) | ||||||||
| 106 Persons with fully inflated Air Bag - 3 persons techn. Failure - 2 persons with improper handling (empty cartridge) – 1 person did not carry handle – 7 persons did not pull rip cord/handle | ||||||||
| 13 Persons without or with only partially filled Air Bags: 3 persons uninjured, 6 persons silghtly injured, 4 persons dead | ||||||||
| 106 People with inflated Air Bag: 53 Persons not burried 42 Persons partially burried | ||||||||
| 11 Persons completely burried (head) but with Air Bags visible on the surface | ||||||||
| 1 Person with ABS dead (due to second avalanche) and with Air Bags not visible on the surface | ||||||||
| 1 Person with inflated Air Bag died (due to second avalanche) | ||||||||
| 105 People with inflated Air Bags survived ! | ||||||||
| Statistics presented by the Avalanche Institute in Davos, Switzerland | ||||||||
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