Patterns of death among avalanche fatalities: a 21-year review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Avalanches are a significant cause of winter recreational fatalities in mountain regions. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of trauma and asphyxia to avalanche deaths.

Methods

We reviewed all avalanche fatalities between 1984 and 2005 that had been investigated by the offices of the British Columbia Coroners Service and the Chief Medical Examiner of Alberta. In addition, we searched the database of the Canadian Avalanche Centre for fatal avalanche details. We calculated injury severity scores for all victims who underwent autopsy.

Results

There were 204 avalanche fatalities with mortality information over the 21-year study period. Of these, 117 victims underwent autopsy, and 87 underwent forensic external examination. Asp

SUBMITTER: Boyd J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2645441 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature