If you’ve been able to escape the avalanche or dig yourself out of one, then you are a survivor. However, it doesn’t just end there; you have things to do as a survivor.

• CHECK YOURSELF FOR INJURIES. If you have any injuries, and if people rescued you then get first aid. If you are on your own, then try to find a way of controlling excessive bleeding, or tie the wound and try to walk to where you can find help and other rescuers.

• IF YOU ESCAPED UNSCATHED, THEN YOU ARE VERY LUCKY. Try to look around for people who may be looking for you and inform them that you are safe. If someone setup a search and rescue party for you, they need to know you are safe and alive.

• LOOK FOR OTHER VICTIMS AND HELP THEM GET TO SAFETY. Assuming you were moving in groups when the avalanche hit, it’s your duty to get those people to safety.

• IF YOU CANNOT HELP RESCUE THEM ALONE, MARK THE PLACES WHERE YOU SAW VICTIMS AND LOOK FOR OTHER RESCUERS TO HELP YOU.

• SEARCH FOR VICTIMS IN THE FALL LINE AND BELOW THE LAST SEEN POINT. Other people may need help.

• IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHERE TO START SEARCHING, FIRST LOOK IN PLACES WITH THE MOST SNOW DEPOSITS.

In difficult times of an avalanche, do not abandon other trapped people because you may be their last hope of survival. Go to find help only if you are sure it is nearby. You have to consider the time it will take you to help and the time it will take for you to find and bring help. Besides, any victim only has less than 50% chances of surviving within an hour of falling under snow.

If you go for help, mark the route so that it makes it easy to track you path back and for the rescue party to track you and the victim.