Buried alive: A qualitative study of avalanche survivors’ learning experience after an avalanche accident

Abstract

With the growing appeal of backcountry skiing, there has been a rise in interest and research into avalanches and people's embedded role in these. Avalanche terrain presents a complex learning environment as the feedback one receives from the terrain can be both misleading and non-existent. Previous accident studies in particular along with avalanche literature at large has been conducted using quantitative methods. Presenting a range of unanswered questions on how previous avalanche accidents affects victims' future thoughts, feelings and behaviour. This study provides an in-depth investigation into backcountry riders’ avalanche experiences through a qualitative lens, to more openly explore victims’ personal experiences and learning processes. Avalanche survivors (N=26) were recruited and questioned about their accident through a semi-structured interview. It is a qualitative study utilizing a phenomenological method where data was analysed using a thematic approach. Participants described increased awareness to risk along with emotional alterations that seemed to have led to more conscious risk assessments, new preferences and increased awareness to own mental fallacies after the avalanche accident. Participants also mentioned increased knowledge seeking, new perspectives on own abilities, awareness to group dynamics and consequences along with increased planning, attentiveness and information updating out in the terrain. Further, analysing and reflecting on the avalanche accident were important for some participants learning and healing process. Findings underlined that these personal experiences presented powerful learning outcomes for the participants, incorporating several adaptive changes in behaviour and decision-making. However, participants responses were on some areas largely heterogenous and a few perspectives could present challenges for future joyful and safe backcountry skiing. Further research could, among other things, investigate the features and alterations within people's mental models of risk following an avalanche accident to further develop avalanche education and prevent future accidents.