Snowboarder Uses Breast Stroke to Survive Loveland Pass Avalanche
Alec Meyer was caught in the snow slide and rode it almost to the bottom, but when it started to flatten out, he began to sink.
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December 30, 2009
As the winter season gets underway in many parts of the country, outdoors lovers may benefit from the dramatic story of a Denver snowboarder who narrowly escaped death when an avalanche fell on him at Loveland Pass.
Alec Meyer was caught in the snow slide and rode it almost to the bottom, but when it started to flatten out, he began to sink. However, the 25-year-old was able to use a swimming motion to keep himself up, according to media reports.
In the wake of the accident, Meyer admitted he had not packed an avalanche kit, and vowed not to return to the slopes until he's properly equipped.
"It's given me a great deal more respect for the forces of nature and mountains and how close you can be sometimes to being out of your control," he said, quoted by KDVR Denver.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says 27 people lost their lives in similar disasters during the 2008-2009 season in the U.S., yet taking some basic precautions can help save lives on the slopes.
Experts say basic preparedness includes keeping an eye out for weather and terrain conditions and packing appropriate gear. The latter should consist of portable shovels, collapsible probes or ski-pole probes and beacons.
According to National Snow and Ice Data Center, individuals caught in an avalanche should yell, let go of ski poles and get out of their pack to make themselves lighter. Using swimming motions, thrusting upward to try to stay near the surface of the snow can also dramatically increase survival chances.
Those who end up in over their head should try to maintain an air pocket in front of their face using their hands and arms as most avalanche deaths are caused by suffocation.
As the winter season gets underway in many parts of the country, outdoors lovers may benefit from the dramatic story of a Denver snowboarder who narrowly escaped death when an avalanche fell on him at Loveland Pass.
Alec Meyer was caught in the snow slide and rode it almost to the bottom, but when it started to flatten out, he began to sink. However, the 25-year-old was able to use a swimming motion to keep himself up, according to media reports.
In the wake of the accident, Meyer admitted he had not packed an avalanche kit, and vowed not to return to the slopes until he's properly equipped.
"It's given me a great deal more respect for the forces of nature and mountains and how close you can be sometimes to being out of your control," he said, quoted by KDVR Denver.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says 27 people lost their lives in similar disasters during the 2008-2009 season in the U.S., yet taking some basic precautions can help save lives on the slopes.
Experts say basic preparedness includes keeping an eye out for weather and terrain conditions and packing appropriate gear. The latter should consist of portable shovels, collapsible probes or ski-pole probes and beacons.
According to National Snow and Ice Data Center, individuals caught in an avalanche should yell, let go of ski poles and get out of their pack to make themselves lighter. Using swimming motions, thrusting upward to try to stay near the surface of the snow can also dramatically increase survival chances.
Those who end up in over their head should try to maintain an air pocket in front of their face using their hands and arms as most avalanche deaths are caused by suffocation.
