Rostrup M, Gilbert M
Avdeling for hjertesykdommer, Medisinsk klinikk, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1993 Mar 30;113(9):1100-2.
Most avalanche victims die from asphyxia (68%) followed by trauma (13%). Hypothermia is a less common cause of death. Asphyxia may be caused by obstructed airways owing to aspiration of snow, an immobile thorax due to compression by the surrounding snow or lack of diffusion of oxygen through the mass of snow. Clearing airways and quick mobilization of the thorax are of utmost importance in the initial treatment. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation may be required. Unconscious victims without vital signs should be treated in the same way as victims with severe hypothermia.
大多数雪崩遇难者死于窒息（68%），其次是创伤（13%）。体温过低是较不常见的死亡原因。窒息可能由以下原因引起：吸入积雪导致气道阻塞、被周围积雪挤压使胸廓无法活动，或氧气无法透过大量积雪扩散。在初始治疗中，清理气道和迅速恢复胸廓活动至关重要。可能需要进行心肺复苏。对无生命体征的昏迷遇难者的治疗方式应与严重体温过低的遇难者相同。
