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YoudontknowSMIT t1_j1rvbln wrote

Reply to comment by Snakend in All 10 people feared missing in Austria avalanche found alive | CNN by ybdiel

Perhaps, but it’s significantly more difficult to breathe after avalanche snow has packed into your entire respiratory tract and filled your lungs 😳

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pessimistic_platypus t1_j1rwu7q wrote

Avalanche snow isn't a fluid; I'm pretty sure it isn't typically going to get forced down your throat, and definitely not into your lungs.

But if the snow is dense enough, you still will run out of air eventually.

According to this study, most people buried in avalanches do die because they run out of air, but it sounds like it's a lot slower than drowning, so there is a better chance for rescue if people get to you soon enough.

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